Angela K. Wood
Belton,TX
Summary
Exceptionally talented Medical Surgical Nurse experienced in managing care for patients with diverse illnesses and conditions. Promoting patient advocacy, effective decision-making skills and passion for delivering compassionate care and support.
Proven track record in high-stress medical environments, adept at patient care and clinical processes. Looking to transition into previous Mental Health field, leveraging skills developed in fast-paced healthcare settings. Ready to bring detail-oriented approach and strong problem-solving abilities to new opportunities. Patient-oriented Nurse with 24 years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments. Offering expertise with Med/Surg and Mental Health specialties. Resourceful possessing excellent work ethic, compassion and commendable interpersonal skills.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical/Surgical Nurse
Department of Veteran Affairs
05.2004 - Current
- Provided patient education regarding post-surgery care to facilitate recovery.
- Administered medication via IV pumps to ensure precise dosage and patient safety.
- Monitored patient vitals regularly to detect and address changes in condition promptly.
- Assessed patient needs and developed individualized care plans tailored to recovery goals.
- Conducted wound care using sterile techniques to prevent infection and promote healing.
- Demonstrated excellent critical thinking skills during emergent situations, collaborating with team members to deliver timely interventions and stabilize patients.
- Monitored patients before, during and after surgical operations to evaluate patient care.
- Provided high level of individualized care to adult patients across multiple medical specialties.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens, and pain management techniques.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates through thorough discharge planning and patient education.
- Educated patients and families on illnesses, medications and treatment plans.
- Assessed patient status during procedures to communicate abnormalities to physicians.
- Assessed team members' workloads and pitched in to help in areas where need was most evident.
- Educated patients on disease prevention strategies, contributing to healthier lifestyle choices and overall wellbeing.
- Mentored new nursing staff by sharing clinical expertise, fostering professional growth within the unit.
- Maintained a safe and clean environment for patients by adhering to infection control protocols and policies.
- Conducted thorough risk assessments for falls prevention measures, reducing fall-related injuries among patients in the medical-surgical unit.
- Administered blood transfusions safely, monitoring for any adverse reactions or complications.
- Inserted catheters and completed tracheostomy for patients.
- Provided high-quality wound care management, promoting proper healing and minimizing complications.
- Improved patient outcomes by accurately assessing, diagnosing, and treating medical-surgical patients.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care practices across the medical-surgical unit.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to develop comprehensive care plans for optimal patient recovery.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate care and addressing individual needs.
- Facilitated seamless transitions of care between units by effectively communicating pertinent information about each patient''s status.
- Developed strong relationships with patients'' families, offering support during difficult times and facilitating communication between healthcare providers and loved ones.
- Contributed to positive work culture through active participation in staff meetings and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Implemented evidence-based nursing interventions that contributed to improved pain management for post-operative patients.
- Managed caseload of patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, and wound care.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Managed patient pain relief and sedation by providing non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.
- Performed intravenous therapy procedures and monitored chest tubes.
- Monitored hemodynamic variances to identify signs of life-threatening complications..
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Mental Health Registered Nurse
Bay Medical Center
03.2003 - 05.2004
- Administered psychotropic medications, monitoring for side effects, effectiveness, and making adjustments as necessary to optimize treatment outcomes.
- Established rapport with patients from diverse backgrounds through empathic listening and culturally sensitive communication practices.
- Educated patients and family members about medical conditions and mental health, medications, treatments and preventive measures.
- Coordinated discharge planning with patients, families, and community providers to ensure continuity of care and successful transition back into the community.
- Provided crisis intervention services during psychiatric emergencies, ensuring patient safety through effective de-escalation techniques.
- Enhanced patient safety by conducting thorough assessments, identifying potential risks, and initiating interventions as needed.
- Assessed patients' physical and mental status by analyzing complaints and symptoms.
- Created and implemented group therapies and programs to help patients improve or regain coping abilities.
- Conducted ongoing assessments to track patient progress, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and modify plans as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
- Performed frequent ongoing assessments of patients' status to address changes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care for patients with mental health disorders.
- Maintained a safe therapeutic environment that promoted healing by following infection control protocols within the psychiatric unit setting.
- Determined patient risk by utilizing subjective and objective data obtained through patient interaction.
- Advocated for patients'' rights and autonomy in treatment decisions while maintaining a therapeutic alliance that fosters trust and open communication.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to enhance social skills development, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution among patients with varying diagnoses.
- Supported newly licensed nurses in their orientation process by serving as a preceptor and providing guidance on clinical practice within mental health nursing.
- Contributed to decreased emergency room visits by effectively triaging incoming calls from patients experiencing mental health crises or seeking support resources.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Mental Health Registered Nurse
Life Management of Northwest Florida
10.2002 - 04.2004
- Administered psychotropic medications, monitoring for side effects, effectiveness, and making adjustments as necessary to optimize treatment outcomes.
- Established rapport with patients from diverse backgrounds through empathic listening and culturally sensitive communication practices.
- Educated patients and family members about medical conditions and mental health, medications, treatments and preventive measures.
- Coordinated discharge planning with patients, families, and community providers to ensure continuity of care and successful transition back into the community.
- Provided crisis intervention services during psychiatric emergencies, ensuring patient safety through effective de-escalation techniques.
- Enhanced patient safety by conducting thorough assessments, identifying potential risks, and initiating interventions as needed.
- Assessed patients' physical and mental status by analyzing complaints and symptoms.
- Participated in case conferences to discuss complex cases collaboratively with colleagues from various disciplines for better decision-making processes.
- Created and implemented group therapies and programs to help patients improve or regain coping abilities.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing individualized care plans focused on mental health needs.
- Conducted ongoing assessments to track patient progress, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and modify plans as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
- Performed frequent ongoing assessments of patients' status to address changes.
- Maintained a safe therapeutic environment that promoted healing by following infection control protocols within the psychiatric unit setting.
- Determined patient risk by utilizing subjective and objective data obtained through patient interaction.
- Advocated for patients'' rights and autonomy in treatment decisions while maintaining a therapeutic alliance that fosters trust and open communication.
- Evaluated, ordered and interpreted psychological evaluations and basic lab tests to assess and identify patients' conditions.
- Enhanced overall quality of care through participation in ongoing professional development opportunities related to mental health nursing best practices.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to enhance social skills development, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution among patients with varying diagnoses.
- Streamlined documentation processes by maintaining accurate electronic records of patient interactions, assessments, and interventions.
- Prevented medication errors by carefully reviewing prescriptions from psychiatrists before administering medication in accordance with established guidelines.
- Promoted recovery and wellness by providing psychoeducation to patients and their families on coping strategies and available resources.
- Supported newly licensed nurses in their orientation process by serving as a preceptor and providing guidance on clinical practice within mental health nursing.
- Assisted with program development initiatives to establish or expand mental health services within the facility based on identified needs.
- Contributed to decreased emergency room visits by effectively triaging incoming calls from patients experiencing mental health crises or seeking support resources.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by providing timely follow-up care, assessing progress, and adjusting treatment plans accordingly.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse
Bay Medical Center
10.2001 - 03.2003
- Handled a high volume of complex patients by prioritizing tasks and effectively delegating responsibilities to other team members, resulting in efficient patient care.
- Reduced complications post-surgery through diligent assessment, intervention, and timely communication with the interdisciplinary team.
- Served as an effective liaison between physicians, other healthcare providers, patients, and family members while coordinating optimal care planning efforts for each patient''s unique situation.
- Liaised with patients following cardiothoracic surgical procedures, providing support and education on post-surgical care.
- Contributed to a high standard of care through ongoing professional development and staying current on best practices in cardiac nursing.
- Collaborated closely with interdisciplinary healthcare teams during daily rounds for discussing patient cases and treatment plans that ensured continuity of care throughout hospital stays.
- Skillfully managed acute symptoms presented by patients experiencing chest pain or dysrhythmias, resulting in prompt medical intervention when necessary.
- Maintained detailed records of patient conditions, reactions and progress in alignment with physician orders.
- Changed dressings, cleaned wounds and monitored vital signs of up to [Number] patients concurrently with focus on quality care.
- Enhanced performance of junior nurses through training and evaluations.
- Contributed to [Number]-bed facility's top ranking in cardiovascular and thoracic patient care.
- Performed comprehensive assessments of patients'' physical, emotional, social, and educational needs to develop tailored nursing interventions that resulted in improved outcomes.
- Provided critical care to complex cardiac patients, reducing readmission rates and improving overall health.
- Maintained accurate and timely documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with hospital policies and procedures; contributed to continuity of care across shifts.
- Educated patients about self-care at home following discharge from the hospital setting; increased adherence to treatment regimens which led to lower readmission rates.
- Ensured patient safety by strictly adhering to infection control protocols and maintaining a clean working environment.
- Participated in ongoing quality improvement initiatives within the unit, contributing to the development and implementation of evidence-based practice standards for cardiac stepdown nursing.
- Enhanced patient recovery by providing specialized cardiac care and monitoring their progress.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Methodist College of Nursing And Allied Health
Omaha, NE07-2001
Skills
- Pre-and Post-operative care
- Vital signs monitoring
- End-of-life care
- Telemetry monitoring
- Urinary catheterization
- Pressure ulcer prevention
- Tracheostomy care
- Emergency response
- Enteral feeding
- Diagnostic testing
- Disease prevention
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- IV line administration
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Chemotherapy administration
- Blood transfusion
- Medication and IV administration
- Dementia care
- Patient and family advocacy
- Wound care
- Pain management
- Chart updating
- Patient assessment
- Discharge planning
- Disease information and education
- Complex patient cases
- Compassionate care
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS)
Timeline
Medical/Surgical Nurse
Department of Veteran Affairs
05.2004 - Current
Mental Health Registered Nurse
Bay Medical Center
03.2003 - 05.2004
Mental Health Registered Nurse
Life Management of Northwest Florida
10.2002 - 04.2004
Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse
Bay Medical Center
10.2001 - 03.2003
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Methodist College of Nursing And Allied Health