Registered Nurse/STEMI Coordinator Cardiac Cath LabOct 2015 to Current
Community Health System - Enterprise , ALWork to assist physicians with patient assessments and prepare patients or catheterization, angioplasty, pacemaker implantation, peripheral catheterizations, and other vascular procedures. The patients vital signs, oxygen levels, and heart rhythms are monitored closely prior to, during, and after the procedure with any changes being reported immediately to the physician. Keeping the patients calm and reassured during the procedure is a priority as well as administering medications, assisting during emergencies, and performing lifesaving procedures if necessary. Being on call and responding in high stress situations, whether it be a STEMI, an unstable patient, or loss of blood flow to a peripheral extremity. Following all STEMI patients the chart is reviewed and discussed within the department and contact is made with each outreach facility in regards to what went well and what could have been improved upon. This information is then compiled and reviewed with a variety of team members including directors, a cardiologist, and some members of administration.
Registered Nurse/Fill-in Charge NurseSep 2012 to Sep 2015
St. Dominic Hospital - Jackson , MSAssess and care for patients with a range of cardiac problems that range from arrhythmias to coronary angioplasty to recent coronary artery bypass grafting along with renal failure, COPD, and advanced cancer. Patients were monitored at their bedside and provided with medications and other support as needed. These patients may have been those who were progressing to a more critical state to a less critical state to a more critical one. Knowledge of cardiac rhythms, medications, and the disease process is a must. Educating patients is a top priority throughout their stay and at discharge as many require encouragement and lifestyle changes. Actively participated and led Shared Governance for the unit and participated in the home medication reconciliation process improvement. Implemented new floor assignments based on evaluation of staffing requirements. Attended the floor "huddle" to ensure patients were prepared for discharge by evaluating patient care needs and coordinating care plans with ancillary staff memeber.
Registered Nurse-CirculatorOct 2011 to Sep 2012
SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - City , STATETo ensure the surgical suite is sterile and safe throughout the period of the operation, collaborating with scrub nurses, surgeons, and CRNA's. Positioning and safety of the patient is a priority, as well as being a patient advocate when they have no voice.
Registered Nurse Cardiac Step-Down UnitNov 2006 to Oct 2011
SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - City , STATEAssess and care for patients with a range of cardiac problems that range from arrhythmias to coronary angioplasty to recent coronary artery bypass grafting along with renal failure, COPD, and advanced cancer. Patients were monitored at their bedside and provided with medications and other support as needed. These patients may have been those who were progressing to a more critical state to a less critical state to a more critical one. Knowledge of cardiac rhythms, medications, and the disease process is a must. Educating patients is a top priority throughout their stay and at discharge as many require encouragement and lifestyle changes.
Registered Nurse Step-Down ICUMay 2006 to Nov 2006
SSM Health DePaul Hospital - City , STATECared for patients who needed close monitoring and frequent assessments who weren't stable enough for a telemetry floor, but who weren't unstable enough to require ICU care. Computer equipment was used to monitor cardiac and other vital information and to detect any changes, thereby enabling intervention of life-threatening or emergency situations. Close observation was necessary as medications may need titrated or adjusted or patients may need to be transferred to a higher level of care.