Laura Durbin
1253 Warner Hall Drive * Virginia Beach, VA 23454
757-589-6053 * laurapolakowski@cox.net
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Dear Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters,
As a developing Neonatal Nurse Practitioner with an outstanding educational and clinical background, I am seeking to align
myself within a facility as influential and secure as yours in order to enhance my emerging practice.
I recognize that being new to the NNP role will be challenging and require motivation and study, nevertheless I strongly feel that I
have the drive to learn and develop. I am confident that with hard work I will grow as a new NNP and meet the many challenges
that I will face. I have identified strengths for myself which include an eagerness to learn, and a strong work ethic. Objectives
which I have set for myself include:
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Continue to utilize current neonate research and standards of care in assessment of condition and selection of
management plans
Enhance my evolving skill base.
Continue to demonstrate judgment in the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques
Carry on the evolvement of my practice and transition to the role of Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
I have completed several clinical hours by now as a Student NNP and am currently concluding my final Neonatal Practicum at
your facility. My plan for the future is to secure a full time position at a facility such as yours.
I look forward to hearing from you in the future to discuss potential employment opportunities. Please refer to my online portfolio
for further information regarding my educational experiences, licensures, and references.
Sincerely,
Laura Durbin NNPS
Laura Durbin RN, BSN, MSN, FNP-BC
1253 Warner Hall Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 * (757)589-6053 * laurapolakowski@cox.net
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 9/28/1977
Place of Birth: Norfolk, VA
Profile
Self motivated, goal-directed professional with a solid medical and educational background. Proficient in
areas of communication with insight into the needs of others. Able to listen and recognize areas of concern
and form solutions accordingly. Professional demeanor, personable with impeccable bedside manner
Areas of strength include:
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Keen clinical assessment
Able to communicate and relate to patients and families
Flexible and adaptable to change
Thorough documentation skills
Employment
RN CHKD (2005- present)
Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter’s, Norfolk, VA
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Provide quality nursing care to critically ill neonates and their families in a busy NICU environment.
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Evaluate and manage patient care. Function independently caring for chronic and acute patients
with multiple disorders related to all body systems. Competent in caring for ventilated patients,
post-operative patients, tracheotomy patients, those with cardiac defects, those requiring VP
shunts and suffering from neurologic complications, as well as those requiring sedation and
cardiovascular support. Cared for extremely preterm neonates, seriously ill infants requiring
hypothermia therapy, infants with pulmonary hypertension, necrotizing enterocolitis and an array of
various disease processes specific to neonates.
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Educate and counsel patient families regarding state of illness and home care upon discharge
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Trained new nurse graduates and nurses new to the organization.
Family Nurse Practitioner (04/2011- 07/2013)
APM Spine and Sports Physicians, Norfolk, VA
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Function independently as a FNP in a busy physiatry practice, diagnosing and treating patients
spanning a wide age range and who present with multiple musculoskeletal disorders.
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Licensed to prescribe
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Perform multiple small and large joint injections under ultrasound guidance, botox injections, and
trigger point injections for acute and chronic myofascial pain
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Able to interpret spinal and joint MRI/CT scans including some imaging.
RN Sentara Virginia Beach General (2004-2005)
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Provided quality nursing care to adult patients and their families on a busy telemetry unit. Cared
for patients presenting with cerebral infarct, COPD, DM, those with multiple cardiac arrhythmias
requiring systemic therapies, sepsis, those with multiple cancers, some vented patients with ALS or
other chronic debilitating illnesses, and those with many acute illnesses. Also cared for many
patients post operatively, many GYN surgeries were admitted to this floor, as well as many post
cardiac cath. patients and post gastric bypass patients.
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Completely proficient in skills such as IV therapy, Nasogastric tubes, foley caths. Have had
experience with chest tubes, gastrostomy tubes, surgical drains, and central lines.
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Evaluate and manage patient care
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Educate and counsel patients and their families regarding pathophysiology of illness, preventative
measures related to illness, and medication usage.
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Managed many post operative patients in need of close monitoring and pain management.
Education History
Old Dominion University, School of Nursing, Norfolk, VA
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing 2004
Master of Science in Nursing 2010
Attended UNC/Duke MS ultrasound conference with cadaver ultrasound training.- Feb, 2012
Academic Accomplishments
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Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Old Dominion University 2004 with BSN
Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Old Dominion University with MSN as a Family Nurse
Practitioner Dec, 2010
Scholarly Work
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Durbin, L. (2014). Tetralogy of Fallot. CHKD. Poster presentation.
Durbin L. (2014). Transfusion associated Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Power point presentation.
Certifications/ Licensure
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RN Nursing License #0001191803 expires 9/30/2015
FNP License- # 0017140050 expires 9/30/2015
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BLS certified
NRP certified
Personal Information
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Virginia Beach native
Animal lover with three dogs- Buddha, Hydro and Carl.
Favorite hobby is attempting to make home improvements
Active member of local relay for life team, “Love for Tommy and Gwendolyn"
Professional memberships
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Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society member
Virginia Counsel of Nurse Practitioners member