Alice Christy West
Hayes,VA
Summary
Experienced healthcare professional prepared for responsibilities in clinical setting, specializing in patient care and dialysis treatment procedures. Strong focus on teamwork and achieving outcomes, consistently adaptable to evolving needs. Skilled in patient assessment, care planning, and administration of dialysis, with compassionate and reliable approach valued by employers. Psychiatric Staff Nurse knowledgeable in care assessments, patient education and records management. Promoting active listening and dynamic time management skills. Energetic individual offering 4 years' experience providing exceptional palliative care to patients. A friendly Hospice Nurse knowledgeable in pain management techniques, caregiver support and consistent needs assessment. Analytical Cardiac Nurse with proven success supporting patients in critical care environments. Hardworking with excellent triage and problem-solving skills in high-stress settings. Competent communication skills with patients of all ages. Have been a charge nurse in dialysis, psychiatric, and cardiac nursing. Obtained my PCCN certification, BCLS, and started on my Bachelor's degree but had to stop due to family obligations.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dialysis Registered Nurse
Fresenius Medical Care NA
Hampton, VA
11.2023 - 04.2026
- Administered dialysis treatments, ensuring patient safety and comfort throughout procedures.
- Monitored vital signs and lab results to adjust treatment plans accordingly.
- Educated patients on dialysis process, promoting understanding and compliance with care protocols.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for optimal patient outcomes.
- Conducted routine equipment checks, ensuring functionality and adherence to safety standards.
- Developed educational materials for patients, improving knowledge retention regarding kidney health management.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure comprehensive care for all patients undergoing dialysis.
- Coordinated care with other healthcare providers, such as dietitians and social workers, to ensure comprehensive support for patients during their dialysis journey.
- Improved patient outcomes through diligent monitoring of vital signs and timely intervention when necessary.
- Provided emotional support to patients coping with chronic kidney disease, helping them navigate complex medical information while maintaining hope for improved health outcomes.
- Increased patient safety by adhering to strict infection control protocols throughout the entire dialysis process.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing attentive and compassionate care during dialysis treatments.
- Reduced complications by accurately assessing patients'' needs and adjusting treatment plans accordingly.
- Established strong rapport with patients through active listening skills, empathy, and genuine concern for their wellbeing during treatment sessions.
- Assisted in training new staff members on dialysis procedures, policies, and equipment usage ensuring consistent high standards of patient care across the unit.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Streamlined documentation processes, maintaining accurate records of each patient''s medical history, lab results, and treatment progress.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering open communication among team members and addressing concerns promptly.
- Maximized staff efficiency by effectively delegating tasks and managing schedules in a fast-paced clinical environment.
- Kept current with industry advancements through ongoing professional development, attending conferences, workshops, and seminars relevant to the field of nephrology nursing.
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Summit @ The Pavilion at the Williamsburg Place
Williamsburg, VA
09.2020 - 03.2022
- Handled vital sign monitoring, medication administration and patient behavior assessments.
- Admitting and discharging patient's.
- Performed Charge Nurse duties, by managing the units and staffing as well as scheduling.
- Leading groups with the patient's, and providing therapeutic communication to the patient's.
- Met patient needs by devising and coordinating highly tailored care plans for each individual.
- Discussed non-medical techniques such as yoga and meditation to help patients alleviate depression and anxiety.
- Monitored patients prescribed psychotropic medications to assess medications' effectiveness and side effects.
- Served as lead clinician for patients with bipolar, depression, anxiety and personality disorders.
- Consulted with psychiatrists about client medication changes, issues with medicine compliance and efficacy of medications.
- Collaborated with prescribing professionals to get patients necessary medications.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Stocked clinical workstations and procedure rooms with necessary supplies.
- Maintained infection control logs, streamlined charting process and improved patient outcomes through training and leadership.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Hospice Registered Nurse Case Manager
Riverside Health Services
Gloucester, VA
02.2015 - 02.2020
- Utilized effective interpersonal, writing and active listening skills to build and cultivate positive relationships with patients, caregivers and physicians.
- Created and applied tailored care plans that would meet each patient's individualized needs.
- Guided patients' loved ones and caregivers in pain management, wound care and medication dosing.
- Delivered respectful, compassionate care to each patient and family member.
- Listened to patients and loved ones, offering emotional support and kindness to help with end-of-life transition.
- Planned hospice care for elderly and disabled patients.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
- Maintained infection control logs, streamlined charting process and improved patient outcomes through training and leadership.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Executed appropriate steps for patient treatment following careful review of physician medical regimen.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Participated in continuing education programs and Hospice specific workshops to enhance training and nursing knowledge.
Registered Nurse
Riverside Regional Medical Center
Newport News, VA
05.2010 - 02.2015
- Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions.
- Evaluated intensive care patients, recognized and addressed complications and coordinated treatment with other members of critical care team.
- Assessed and prepared patients for procedures, performing initial and ongoing patient assessments.
- Oversaw patient admission and discharge processes to coordinate related paperwork.
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows and assisted physicians with non-invasive procedures.
- Updated charts throughout shifts with current, accurate information to maintain strict recordkeeping standards.
- Performed blood and blood product transfusions and intravenous infusions to address patient symptoms or underlying causes.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
- Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
- Maintained personal and team compliance with medication administration standards and patient care best practices.
- Documented nursing intervention and patient and family responses in compliance with hospital policies.
- Prioritized nursing tasks and assignments and accurately reported patient status.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Supervised nurse administration of oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients as prescribed, monitoring responses for adverse reactions.
- Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
- Counseled patients and caregivers, providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support.
- Updated physicians on patient test results and assisted in developing care plans.
- Assisted patients with healing and recovery after surgery by closely monitoring and caring for wounds, answering questions and educating about continued care strategies.
- Collaborated with doctors to plan post-treatment home care and prevent return hospitalization.
- Participated in bedside reporting and handoff at change of shift and for patient transfers.
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
- Supported patients through recovery from procedures such as bypass, angioplasty and pacemaker surgery.
- Explained patient conditions, procedures and treatment protocols to patients and families.
- Encouraged patients to implement lifestyle changes to prevent worsening of heart disease.
- Partnered with cardiologists to diagnose cause of arrhythmias and offer interventional treatments.
- Delivered nursing care to critically ill cardiac patients in post-operative recovery units.
- Monitored patients' vital signs using electrocardiograms in telemetry labs.
- Cared for patients recovering from cardiac catheterization and pacemaker implants procedures and provided personalized daily assistance.
- Evaluated and adjusted life support equipment, tubing and peripheral devices providing critical assistance to fragile patients.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Monitored post-op vitals, set up PCA, fluids, reviewed post-op orders and assimilated patients to unit.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Maintained infection control logs, streamlined charting process and improved patient outcomes through training and leadership.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Rappahannock Community College
Saluda, VA05-2011
Skills
- Therapeutic Intervention
- Preventive Healthcare
- Accurate Documentation
- Compassionate and Caring
- Care Plan Evaluation
- Medication Administration
- Chemical Dependency Care
- Clear Patient Communication
- HIPAA Compliance
- Discharge Plan Development
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Attention to Detail
- Critical Thinking
- Creative Problem Solving
- Patient Examination
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Emergency Medical Administration
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Addiction Treatment
- Patient Observation
- Active Listening
- De-escalation Techniques
- Suicide Prevention
- Infection Control
- Surgical Assistance
- Diagnostic Test Ordering
- Immunizations and Vaccinations
- Diagnostic Test Evaluations
- Procedure Assistance
- Student Precepting
- Direct Patient Care
- Delegation and Motivation
- Microsoft Office
- Patient Condition Monitoring
- Vascular Access management
- HIPAA compliance
- Team leadership qualities
- Nursing care planning
- Patient education techniques
- Fluid management
- Anemia management
- Lab result interpretation
- Hemodialysis expertise
- Emergency response
- Continuous quality improvement
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Healthcare policy adherence
- Erythropoietin administration
- Cultural history
- Electronic medical records proficiency
- Infection control practices
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Medication and IV administration
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Compassionate and caring
- Basic life support
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Strong clinical judgment
- Direct patient care
- CPR certification
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Active listening
- Decision-making
- Patient education
- Patient care assessment
- Monitoring vital signs
- Electronic health records
- Relationship building
- Clinical documentation
- Blood draw and sample collection
Accomplishments
PCCN certification
ACLS and BLS certified
CAP I in dialysis nursing
Certification
PCCN certification
ACLS and BLS certified
Timeline
Dialysis Registered Nurse
Fresenius Medical Care NA
11.2023 - 04.2026
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Summit @ The Pavilion at the Williamsburg Place
09.2020 - 03.2022
Hospice Registered Nurse Case Manager
Riverside Health Services
02.2015 - 02.2020
Registered Nurse
Riverside Regional Medical Center
05.2010 - 02.2015
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Rappahannock Community College
Education and Training
other