Honor Society® member
Elise Balasa
Travel RN; Pediatrics and Special Care Nursery at Aya Healthcare, Carroll Hospital, Westminster, MD
- Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Class of 2024
- Lago Vista, Texas
Member since May 2023
About
Skilled, empathetic, and adaptable registered nurse with nine years of diverse experience in pediatrics, including perioperative services, cardiology stepdown, neonatal intensive care, regional anesthesia, rural medicine, and global health. Passionate about nursing education and mentoring new graduate nurses. Highly motivated to become an advanced practice nurse in pediatrics and to promote nursing education to future generations of nurses.
Education
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University of Texas at Austin
Master of Science in Nursing, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
2022 – 2024
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University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2006 – 2011
Honors and awards
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• National Dean’s List
2006-2007
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• Emerging Scholars Honors Chemistry Program
2006-2007
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• University Honors
2006-2011
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• UT Nursing Student Association Student of the Month
October 2010
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• Distinguished UT College Scholar
2011
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• National Scholars Honor Society
2007-2015
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• Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society
2011-2021
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• Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing
2011-2023
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• Texas Children’s Hospital Website Feature for Daisy Award
March 2014
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• Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses Recipient
March 2014
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• Texas Children’s Quality and Safety Website Safety Story Feature
August 2015
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• Rising Star Alumni Award, UT Austin School of Nursing
September 2015
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• Contributing Author for Voice of Nursing Blog
January 2017
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• Good Samaritan Foundation, Excellence in Nursing, Bronze Medalist
June 2017
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• Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses, Recipient
March 2018
Goals and interests
- Career goal
Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner; specialization with particular interest in pediatric pain syndromes, including rheumatologic disorders and headaches. Specific interest in continuing to work with local and global underserved populations. Additional goal of promoting nursing education to future generations of nurses.
- Graduate school interests
• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Rotation through various specializations, including pediatric pain services, rheumatology, and neurology
• Elective courses including: Role of the Nurse Educator and Poster Project analyzing data collected in Malawi, Africa regarding pediatric epilepsy management- Outside the classroom
• Spending time with my two dogs, two cats, four chickens, and tortoise
• Hiking
• Gardening
• Fishing
• Woodworking
Experience
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Travel RN; Pediatrics and Special Care Nursery
Aya Healthcare, Carroll Hospital, Westminster, MD
Nov 2021 – Feb 2022
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Specialty Care RN; Regional Anesthesia Pain Nurse, Adult and Pediatric
WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital, Morgantown, WV
Feb 2021 – Sep 2021
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Staff RN; Neonatal Intensive Care
WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital, Morgantown, WV
Jul 2020 – Feb 2021
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Staff RN; Cardiology Patient Care Unit, Stepdown and Acute Care; Unit preceptor
Texas Children’s Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Oct 2013 – May 2020
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RN II, Pediatric Operating Room; Fetal surgery, Trauma, Neurology, ENT, General/GI, Orthopedics, Plastics
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Jul 2012 – Sep 2013
Volunteering
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• Team captain, 2006
Texas Brain Injury Association’s Walk for Thought, San Marcos, TX
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• Participated in softball tournament for heart disease awareness, 2006-2007
Hits for Hearts, Alpha Phi Sorority, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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• Engaged in activities with orphans and terminally ill children, 2006-2007
Shepherd’s Centre Foundation and Orphanage, Selangor, Malaysia
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• Helped facilitate race to promote exercise and healthy nutrition for children, 2007-2008
Marathon Kids, Austin, TX
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• University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing team member, 2010
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Austin, TX
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• Prepared and served breakfast for the homeless population, 2014
Project Linus, Houston, TX
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• Administered vaccinations to underserved community members in Houston, 2014
HCHD Immunization Clinic, Berry Center, Cypress, TX
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• Rode in the BP MS 150 to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis; Provided safe environment for cyclists and transported head ride marshal, 2018-2019
BP MS 150, Houston and Austin, TX, Texas Children’s Hospital Team
Languages
- English (US)
Additional information
Organizations
