Amanda Lartigue

Bayou Chateau Nursing Center has been the bulk of my nursing career. After leaving dialysis to be closer to home, I began at my current place of employment as Wound Care Nurse and Weekend RN supervisor. I learned much on the subject of wound care and healing processes for those with multiple comorbidities and/or elderly as well as other special needs patients. I was required to make daily rounds in order to assess residents, provide needed treatment and wound care, as well as coinciding documentation. This position enabled me to improve upon my patient assessment skills through experience, as I was responsible for full body audits and overall general patient assessments for every resident in our building. I also made rounds with attending physicians and Nurses practioners. I was utilized as Liasson for our floor nurses to aide in the flow of communication from patient, their responsible party, nurses and providers. I became a readily available resource for the staff and provide guidance in patient care and assessing needs. As the RN I was charged with serving as the go-to person to manage any emergency/crisis situations that arise in the facility. In addition, I was cross trained as a floor nurse so that when the situation of nurse shortage or any general need of assistance on the floor arose, I was prepared to smoothly be able to step into that role and assist which is a role that I still frequently am involved in. I am able to easily administer medications accurately and safely, in order to reduce med errors or adverse reactions. I became a key person in facilitating the continuity of care for these patients along with their family, Aides, Nurses, Physicians and even a dietary stand point using a very holistic approach so that the patient has the best possible long term outcome. I review and oversee the follow ups process on labs and the carrying out of physician orders to ensure all are done correctly and timely. As the RN, I managed IV’s, ostomies, catheter insertion and care, oxygen therapy and maintenance, as well as any patients who have a tracheostomy and respiratory needs. On rotating weekends, I was tasked as RN Supervisor. This role consisted of being the only RN in the facility and fully responsible for the management of all staff, provide any needed assistance needed to the facility's various departments, and address any patient and family needs in order to provide quality control and patient satisfaction.

After a few years, I was promoted to role of Assistant Director of Nursing. This role enabled me to continue to be able to continue to provide the same care and hands- on approach as before, but with the addition of new experiences and skills. This new role opened the door to the management side of the health care business. I then began to oversee our wound care program. I became responsible for scheduling, staffing, hiring and termination of employees when necessary. In addition, I provide training, in-service and education to staff to ensure our regulatory compliance such, infection prevention methods, safety, and any changes in residents needs and status. This has allowed me to become more involved in quality assurance measures, making sure that our patients and families are satisfied with their care, long-term goals, and ultimately their needs are being met appropriately. I help enhance patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. I personally address any grievances and / or complaints that may arise in a manner that is satisfactory to all involved. I collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to achieve a comprehensive patient plan of care that results in an outcome that is better for their overall health. Other duties include, the interpreting health records, providing clinical and chart review of patients, and assess and review of documentation for patients seeking to be potentially admitted to facility. I have developed a strong skill set in quality assurance measures, infection control and compliance. I continue to provide guidance and assistance to staff in all roles on a daily basis, as well as maintain a hands-on approach with patients as a nurse. I have also helped the facility in marketing, and reaching out to the community by being involved in local events and with students seeking the healthcare field. In the long-term care industry, over the years, the population of the facility has seen many changes. We have seen an influx of patients from different backgrounds, cultures, religions and even ages. Some of these may even have language barriers. It has been my job to work with my team and ensure that our patients have their needs met with dignity and respect to their culture, religion and background. These years of experiences have taught me to listen and love what we can learn from our elders, which I believe is vital in understanding how we can provide them with optimal care.

I began this job as a dialysis floor nurse following completion of nursing school. It was a wonderful learning experience that has held a positive influence on me and helped mold me into the nurse I wanted to be. At this facility I enjoyed the fast paced and busy schedule that taught me to work with efficiency and time management. I was responsible for full patient assessment prior and post treatment. I set patients up via their access and initiating treatment to dialysis machines while monitoring treatment and patients’ response, vitals etc. i efficiently drew any needed labs and carried out physicians orders appropriately. I rounded with the nephrologist, dieticians and infection preventionist, and communicated patients needs and provided patient education to both patient and family to help improve clients overall health. Here i worked with patients from all ages and walks of life, and enjoyed hearing their stories during their treatments whilst I providing care. This helped me to develop strong people skills, problem solving and rapor building with patients. From there, I was quickly promoted to charge nurse where I responsible for opening facility, inventory, patient satisfaction, staff satisfaction, sanitizing of of machines and equipment , setting up machines to be ready for the shift, and infection control monitoring of staff. I reviewed documentation and care planning to help ensure staff and patients were meeting goals as best as possible.