1. Paula Newinski MSN/MHA, RN-BC, NE-BC
6154 Summit Curve S.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
651-402-1272
Paula.Newinski@gmail.com
I am an ambitious, 22 year RN leader, seeking a roleto utilize leadership, management, and
administrativeskillsin thelong termcare industry.
Present Professional Experience:
Minneapolis VA Health Care System(1995-present)
Nurse Manager Ward 1F Community Living Center /CLC Co-Director (2007-present)
The CLC is an 80 bed transitional care center that is regulated under the Joint Commission Long Term Care
Center Standards
Primary Responsibilities include:
 Management of staff and residents on 36 bed unit with 50 FTE of RN, LPN, NA, and PSA staff
 Lead with Medical Director and Interdisciplinary team to develop strategic plan and vision for 80 bed
Community Living Center; develop policy, screen for resident admissions, and represent Long Term
Care with Geriatric focus within the Minneapolis VAHCS
 Hiring, mentoring, educational development, evaluation and recognition for nursing team members
 Consultant with Ethics Teamregarding long term care placement and end of life care issues
 Interdisciplinary coordination of care for CLC residents including family members and resolving
complex medical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. Promote conflict and problem resolution
 Ensure regulatory and accreditation compliance for unit and department (Joint Commission for Long-
Term Care, CARF, Long Term Care Institute, OSHA, and other Federal bodies)
 Development of policy and procedures based on current evidence based practice, implementing
standing orders, and recommend documentation changes that support practice
 Multidisciplinary committee leadership and participation at departmental and facility level (Pressure
Ulcer Prevention, Falls Prevention Co-chair, Nursing Leadership, Patient Safety, Patient Center Care,
Nursing Strategic Planning, VISN Skin, VISN EC&R Leadership)
 Continuous improvement activities focused on pressure ulcer, falls, and infection control (noted
significant reduction of hospital acquired MRSA and C-Diff cases)
 Educational development of staff members and verification of competencies (orthostatic blood
pressure, dementia interventions, smoking safety, care planning, and others)
 Development of function statements and position descriptions (RN, LPN, NA, MSA, and Restorative
Nursing Coordinator)
 Management representation on facility purchasing committees for $3.9 million bed/mattress and $1.6
million computer on wheels projects
 Author and update patient and staff education materials
 Product trial coordination (condom cath's, IV poles, transferring slings, Lopez valves, and others)
 Develop and support staffing methodology following industry benchmark data (5.8-9.6 HPPD)
 Establish working relationships with Union partners (NA/LPN and RN bargaining units)
Education and Certifications:
 Dual degrees, Masters of Science Nursing and Masters Health Care Administration University of
Phoenix 2013. Education project "Falls and Injury Prevention" for all MVAHCS nursing staff 2013
 Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree Minnesota State University Mankato, 1994

2.  American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Gerontology Certified valid through September, 2019.
Chair Gerontology Content Panel Experts through 2019. Elected Chair of panel; lead group of 10 RN's
in test content outline and development
 ANCC Nurse Executive Certified valid through March 2020
 Graduate of VA Midwest Health Care Network Leadership Development Class 2008-2009. Individual
project "Enteral Feeding Procedures" to standardize procedures and practice with current evidence
 FEMA Incident Command Systems trained 2008. Combine emergency nursing and leadership skills in
event of large scale disaster
 Certified VA mentor; mentor in facility and VISN LEAD programs. Recruit, support, and assist in the
application for staff members and assist in succession planning of VA leaders
Expanded Duties:
 Member Nursing Strategic Planning Committee; leader for Nursing Professionalismand Succession
Planning. Researched and developed surveys for nursing staff and management on how to better
recruit for Assistant Nurse Managers and Nurse Manager positions. Implemented recruitment and
leadership development strategies that resulted in larger applicant pools for Nursing Management
positions
 Poster presenter April 2015 Safe Patient Handling/Falls Summit Phoenix, AZ on fall and injury
prevention of Annual Wheelchair Round-up; a systemto provide preventative maintenance to
wheelchair fleet. Best practice development reduced accidental falls from wheelchairs by >1000% two
years post-implementation
 Nurse Professional Standards Board member; determine if nurses meet the qualification standards for
promotion. Provide assistance to other managers and staff in writing RN performance reviews.
 Coordinator Annual Wheelchair Round-up, a multidisciplinary effort from Engineering, Supply,
Environmental Management, Nursing, and Voluntary Services to provide maintenance for the fleet of
300 wheelchairs, proven reduction in accidental falls
 Falls Committee Co-Chair, implement facility level interventions for falls preventions and injury
prevention in all areas of Veteran care (inpatient, clinic, home-based, LTC, and adult day)
 Minnesota Hospital Association Falls Prevention Committee
 Facilitate annual Falls Prevention Day activities in conjunction with MHA and VA’s. Lead facility
aggregate annual root cause analysis for falls; develop strategies to implement to improve care
 Development of facility education on falls and injury prevention, maintain mandatory facility
educational coursework for compliance with Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal
 Planning committee member 2010, 2011 VISN EC&R Education Summit. Work with representatives
from multidisciplinary team members to develop outline, learning goals, recruit speakers, and ensure
flow of VISN conference
 Member Dementia Steering Committee VISN 23 VA HealthCare
Awardsand Recognition:
 Team Nursing Award 1F 2009 and 2015 Pressure Ulcer Prevention Committee. Nominating employees
to recognize excellence in practice and dedication to patient care.
 Savvy Library User Award recipient 2010 for using MVAHCS library services in the implementation of
evidence based practice
 All Employee Survey results consistently above goal for CLC nursing team satisfaction

3. Promoting Professional Growth:
 Repeat presenter for Minnesota State University: Leadership and Management 425 course. Volunteer
speaker on resume writing, interviewing, and transitioning from nursing student to RN.
 Member National Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA)
 Content Expert Twins Cities Health Consortium (TCHP) course review of "Older Adult" home study
courses. Teach "Scope and Roles for Nursing Leadership"
 Research and authored "Falls Mats Guidelines" to VISN 8 Falls Prevention Toolkit; the Nationally
recognized leader in falls and injury prevention strategies
 Speaker at Lunch and Learns and Nursing Grand Rounds (topics Becoming a Certified Nurse, Falls and
Injury Prevention, Best Practices in Enteral Feeding Procedures)
 Career Fair, Nursing Career Fair, and as a clinical expansion mentor for senior level VANAP students
 Promote staff involvement with facility education, committees, and certification options
 Mentoring staff of all disciplines in facility and VISN LEAD programs
 Keynote Speaker Rasmussen College nursing graduation 2011 on Trends and the Future of Healthcare
PreviousProfessional ExperienceMVAHCS:
Charge Nurse, Emergency Department (2004-2007)
 Triage patients and treatment for medical
and mental health emergencies
 Develop staff and patient education,
precept others
 BLS, ACLS, TNCC trained
 Assess admissions for appropriate level of
care
 Resource on Women’s health specific care
 Collaborate patient care with
interdisciplinary team
Team Leader, Women's Clinic (1999-2004)
 Triage and assessment of primary and
specialty care patients
 Operate RN clinic; assess and implement
care within established protocols
 Develop community based contracts for
care of obstetric residents
 Collaborate with community centers for
referrals of gynecology cancer patients
 Management of daily clinic flow
 Develop staff and patient education
 Procure equipment for ED and OR related
to gynecologic and obstetric care
 Assist in clinic procedures
 Presenter at Breast Health Residency 2004
 Data collection for hormone replacement
research
 Coordinate surgical scheduling for
gynecological care
Medical Sub-Specialty Care Clinic Float RN (1999)
 Float to various clinics, serve as clinic RN
Charge Nurse 3K MVAHCS and 2L Post Surgical units (1995-1999)
 Direct patient care on cardiac step-down unit
 Lead shifts of RN and NA staff, direct patient care
Volunteer:
Honor Flight (2016)
Other Professional Experience:
Dayton's Bluff Community Care Center, St Paul, MN
Charge Nurse (1994-1995)
 Communication of resident needs to providers and pharmacists
 Direct resident care and documentation compliance