Rachel Duncan
Plainfield
Summary
After spending three years teaching, I decided to pursue a different career path. I have always had an interest in the medical field and nursing in particular. With completion of a degree and some job experience, I am looking for a place to call home. I have added skills to my repertoire such as communication with patients and families, a positive attitude, and teamwork skills, plus nurse-specific skills such as assessments, patient education, and medication administration. I am adaptable when it comes to healthcare so that I may ensure efficient and compassionate patient care.
Overview
1
1
Certification
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Community Rehabilitation Hospital North
03.2026 - Current
- I gained experience working in a rehabilitation hospital. Here I have learned how to do holistic patient assessments, administer medications in accordance to physician orders and adhering to safety protocols, blood draws, and tube feedings. I have learned how to adapt to various circumstances such as family and patient wishes, doctor's orders, and change in patient condition. I have been able to collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized care plans. Working the night shift has allowed me to be able to feel comfortable reaching out to our on-call physicians and pharmacy and to communicate effectively over the phone. In this way I have also learned how to recognize changes in patient changes and escalate concerns appropriately. I’d love to be able to interact more with physicians, therapists, consultants, case managers, and the entire patient team to better improve my communication skills.
Patient Care Technician
Johnson Memorial Hospital
06.2024 - 10.2024
- After deciding on a career change, I enrolled at the University of Indianapolis in their accelerated BSN program. Prerequisite courses took me about six months to complete, and in January 2024 I began my nursing journey. I decided to pursue healthcare experience during the wait for a required course to enhance my practical skills in the field. I gained experience in patient care by monitoring vital signs and performing clinical tasks including ambulating patients, providing elimination, feeding, and bathing. If I noticed a change in patient condition, I communicated to the healthcare team for timely interventions. I collaborated with nurses, providers, and therapists to deliver high-quality care for patients and their families. I was able to ensure comfort and safety for patients and maintain cleanliness and organization of patient areas to support infection control protocols. As nursing school rounded the corner, I made the decision to resign from my position to focus on my studies.
7TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER
Creston Intermediate and Middle School
07.2022 - 05.2023
- My teaching experience also took me to the MSD of Warren Township at Creston. Working in an urban school has taught me a lot, from different social and emotional needs of students to being able to interact with people of different cultural backgrounds. I have been mentored by veteran teachers as well as our assistant principal while attending PD courses once per week. I have grown a lot through this experience by adding different communication skills to my repertoire as well as focusing on de-escalation tactics. One thing that my observers have praised about me is my experience with technology. I have been asked to help other colleagues with technology, whether it be iPads, laptops, or TVs. I try to include technology in every lesson so students can get more engaged in the social studies discipline instead of sitting there talking about names and dates! While teaching at an urban school has been challenging but also very rewarding, I am interested in moving up to the high school level to grow more as an educator.
7TH GRADE MATH TEACHER
Beech Grove Middle School
07.2021 - 07.2022
- My experience in a school setting as a math teacher for 7th graders was quite a challenge. While my teaching license is not in the subject of mathematics, I decided to step out of my comfort zone for the position and obtain an emergency license with plans to add math to my existing license if I enjoyed it. I was able to build strong relationships with my students and colleagues, and through working with the staff I was able to adapt and turn this into a strength in order to instruct my students. I have also reinforced my skills with interacting with members of the community, whether it be through the school board or with parents who are involved. I was fortunate enough to be able to use a variety of Apple products in the classroom, from Apple TV to iPads to help deliver content in a way that students can easily follow along. Technology has been very important so far in my career and I am excited to say that I have learned to utilize it well. Unfortunately, I decided that math was not the subject for me, so I moved on.
SOCIAL STUDIES AND LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER
St. Rose of Lima Catholic School
08.2020 - 07.2021
- As a middle school teacher, I have experience in teaching grades 6-8. I formerly taught 6th grade English/Language Arts as well as Social Studies to grades 6-8. While teaching in my first year, I was able to cement my calling as an educator as I built relationships with students. My skills in lesson planning, instructional delivery, and assessment have all been strengthened through close relationships with my colleagues. I have also been able to gain experience in communicating with parents who wish to be involved in their child’s education. Being able to utilize technology has also greatly assisted me in the classroom.
Education
Bachelor of Science -
University of Indianapolis
12-2025
Bachelor of Science - undefined
Ball State University
05-2020
Skills
- Patient assessments
- Administering medication
- Wound care
- Patient education
- Active listening
- EHR management
- Ability to use various technologies
- Building meaningful relationships
- Engaging families in the care of loved ones
- Willingness to work with other members of the patient care team
Certification
I received my RN license on February 10, 2026. I am also currently certified in CPR, AED, and abdominal thrust (Heimlich) through December 2027.
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Community Rehabilitation Hospital North
03.2026 - Current
Patient Care Technician
Johnson Memorial Hospital
06.2024 - 10.2024
7TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER
Creston Intermediate and Middle School
07.2022 - 05.2023
7TH GRADE MATH TEACHER
Beech Grove Middle School
07.2021 - 07.2022
SOCIAL STUDIES AND LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER
St. Rose of Lima Catholic School
08.2020 - 07.2021
Bachelor of Science - undefined
Ball State University
Bachelor of Science -
University of Indianapolis