Sandra J. Higelin, M.S.N., R.N., C.S., CWCN, CLNC

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION

1993 Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Bachelor of Science, Nursing

1996 Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Master of Science, Nursing

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION

Registered Nurse Licensure: California
Clinical Specialist Gerontological Nursing
ANCC/California
Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)
Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (NACLNC)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• American Nurses Association/California Nurses Association
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society
• MUSC Alumni Association
• Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Association (WOCN)/Pacific Coast Region (PCR)
• National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
• American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants-OC

Professional Awards & Recognition

• **Recognized as a Leader in 1999 by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nurses
• **Outstanding Employee of the Year for 2002, Tenet Health System/DRMC
• **Inclusion into Manchester Who’s Who Registry of Executives and Professionals
• **Inclusion into the Biographical Institute: Great Women of the 21st Century

ABSTRACTS, PUBLICATIONS AND ORAL PRESENTATIONS

1. Burnett, S. H. ‘Adult Failure to Thrive,’ (Approved for taxonomy by North American Nursing Diagnosis Association), April 1998.
2. Professional and community educational seminars on geriatric health and wellness issues, skin care: prevention and management of wounds.

CONSULANT/ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES

1. Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Association (WOCN) Education Committee (Past Educational Coordinator for PCR-WOCN
2. Sigma Theta Tau international Honor Society-Mentor
3. Dummit, Faber, Briegleb & Diamond Law Offices, Los Angeles, Ca.
4. Carrol, Kelly,Trotter, Franze&McKenna Law Offices, Long Beach,Ca
5. Giovanniello & Michels, LLP, Diamond Bar, Ca.
6. Proctor & McCarthy Law Offices, Ventura, Ca.
7. Law Firm of Andy Viets, Ventura, Ca
8. Steptoe & Johnson, Attorneys at Law, Clarksburg, W.V.
9. Sunberg & Hessman, PA, Attorneys at Law, Tallahassee, Fl.

Sandra Higelin, MSN, RN, CS, CWCN, CLNC Presentations

• “Learn the Nuts and Bolts: Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management”
  This course presents the impact of pressure ulcers on our healthcare system, evidence based pressure ulcer prevention and management model of care, reviews Federal and State pressure ulcer regulations, national initiatives and legal issues associated with pressure ulcers.
• “Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management”
  This course presents evidence based pressure ulcer prevention and management as defined by CMS Ftag.
• “Fall Prevention and Management Guidelines”
  This course discusses guidelines to prevent falls and fall related injuries utilizing evidence based practice.
• “Acute Confusion or Dementia: A Case Study”
  This course defines acute confusion and dementia and the diagnoses of these conditions utilizing a case study approach
• “Medicine through Time”
  This presentation outlines the history of medicine
• “Knowledge is Power: A Case Study”
  This course describes how pressure ulcer outcomes were improved in a hospital through staff nurses education and improved policy and procedures for pressure ulcer prevention and management
• “Dealing with Cognitive Impairment: Difficult Dementia”
  This course describes interventions that can be implemented in the care of patients with dementia.
• “Failure To Thrive In the Older Person: A Growing Concern”
  This course defines the nursing diagnosis “Adult Failure to Thrive”, its implication for patients and interventions that can be utilized in this patient population
• “Memory Tips: How to Remember What You Don’t Want To Forget”
  This course defines memory loss especially in healthy individuals and what actions can be utilized to improve memory.
• “Depression, Loneliness, Exercise, Sex”
  This presentation defines the impact of depression, loneliness, exercise and sex in the older population.
• “Breast Cancer: How it affects families”
  This presentation describes current perspectives on breast cancer and how breast cancer affects individuals and families.