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Heather Teller
BSN, BA, RN, CMSRN, GRN
Heather Teller is a Virginia-based nurse educator and acute care facility staff development coordinator. For the past eight years, she has worked on the subject of delirium as part of an interdisciplinary team at Riverside Health System. During that time, she developed the nursing education program to help reduce hospital-acquired delirium and aid in the treatment of those who are at risk of or are experiencing delirium.
Ms. Teller received her early training in education, psychology, and history from Virginia Commonwealth University, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Old Dominion University. She taught various subjects in the Virginia public school setting before pursuing her interests in nursing and health care, where she has worked for more than 10 years. After becoming a licensed RN, becoming a certified medical surgical nurse, and earning her BSN from Old Dominion University, she blended the skills and knowledge obtained as a teacher with her love of nursing and desire to train nursing staff, becoming a nurse educator. She remains dedicated to the mission of increasing knowledge and sharing a love of learning and serving with nursing staff in multiple settings.
Courses with Heather Teller
Browse Course CatalogDelirium: Observing and Reporting Mental Status Changes by the Nursing Assistant
Presented by Kathleen Fletcher, RN, DNP, GNP-BC, FAAN and Heather Teller, BSN, BA, RN, CMSRN, GRN
Delirium: Observing and Reporting Mental Status Changes by the Nursing Assistant
Care team members including nursing assistants, patient care assistants, and rehabilitation aides assist the members of the professional staff in caring for individuals in various settings. These individuals typically spend the most time providing care for patients within facilities. Because of this, they are often in the best position to observe even subtle changes in the patients' mental capacity, function, and behavior. This course will focus on the important role of the UAP in all settings in observing the signs and symptoms of mental status changes and thoroughly reporting these changes to the professional staff in order for the patient to be assessed for possible delirium. Delirium is an emergency and can indicate a life-threatening illness. Too frequently, it is unrecognized until the patient's condition deteriorates. The UAP who takes the initiative to observe and report mental status changes is a valuable member of the care team.
Delirium Part 3: Interventions in the Management and Treatment
Presented by Kathleen Fletcher, RN, DNP, GNP-BC, FAAN and Heather Teller, BSN, BA, RN, CMSRN, GRN
Delirium Part 3: Interventions in the Management and Treatment
The broad spectrum of pathologies for delirium dictates that not all patients in rehabilitation or residents in long-term care have to be hospitalized when they demonstrate signs and symptoms of delirium. Hospitalization, in fact, can make the condition worse due to change in the environment and care providers. However, delirium can be a life-threatening event, and at times emergent care is required. This final course in the three-part series of courses on delirium will emphasize good clinical decision-making skills and the need for all nurses in all settings to have these skills. In many settings, including rehabilitation, long-term care, and outpatient care, management of delirium may be successful, provided an accurate assessment and diagnosis can be made and the interventions necessary to address the care needs in that setting can be accomplished. This course will emphasize both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions in the care of persons with delirium.
Delirium Part 2: Tools and Techniques for Screening and Assessment
Presented by Kathleen Fletcher, RN, DNP, GNP-BC, FAAN and Heather Teller, BSN, BA, RN, CMSRN, GRN
Delirium Part 2: Tools and Techniques for Screening and Assessment
Delirium can be difficult to recognize and distinguish between other mental disorders such as dementia and depression. This second course, in a series of three on delirium, gives nurses in all settings a framework for identifying the various features of each of the 3 D's (delirium, dementia, and depression,) and provides guidance on recognizing when the presentation may be a mixed form. Because the presentation may not be obvious, the routine use of evidence-based tools is recommended. Several of these tools will be discussed. Family members and all members of the health care team can be instrumental is observing and reporting changes in mental status to a health care professional.
Delirium Part 1: Prevalence, Pathology, Risk Factors, and Prevention
Presented by Kathleen Fletcher, RN, DNP, GNP-BC, FAAN and Heather Teller, BSN, BA, RN, CMSRN, GRN
Delirium Part 1: Prevalence, Pathology, Risk Factors, and Prevention
Delirium is an acute state of confusion characterized by its sudden onset, fluctuating course, impaired attention, and disorganized thinking. It can be the first sign of acute illness. This first course in a series of three gives nurses in all settings an understanding of the prevalence and pathology of delirium. Specific risk factors will be discussed with an emphasis on preventable strategies.
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