April Lewis
Chesapeake,VA
Summary
Dynamic Psychiatric and Critical Care/ Emergency Registered Nurse with extensive experience at Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, excelling in crisis intervention and compassionate patient care. Proven ability to build trust with diverse populations while ensuring safety and effective medication administration. Recognized for promoting a therapeutic environment and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center
Portsmouth, VA
12.2024 - Current
- Responded to numerous volatile situations and violent outbreaks to restore safety and security of patients and staff.
- Built trust with patients from various cultural backgrounds through culturally competent care practices tailored to individual needs.
- Ensured patient safety by closely monitoring behaviors, administering medications as prescribed, and intervening during incidents of aggression or selfharm.
- Oversaw care of suicidal patients and acted swiftly to reduce risk of harm to themselves or others.
- Collaborated proactively with psychiatrists to adjust treatment plans based on observed changes in symptoms or behavior patterns among patients.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Demonstrated adaptability by providing coverage in various psychiatric units as needed, maintaining high standards of care across diverse patient populations.
- Promoted a therapeutic environment by establishing rapport, maintaining boundaries, and fostering open communication with patients and families.
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center
Portsmouth, VA
06.2023 - 12.2024
- Administered life-saving medications and therapies under strict protocols, guiding patients towards recovery from acute illnesses or injuries.
- Assessed and managed various patient treatments for numerous patient diagnoses from sepsis to acute respiratory distress.
- Monitored hemodynamic parameters and analyzed complex data sets, making appropriate adjustments to treatment plans based on patient response.
- Served as a preceptor for new nurses entering the critical care field, sharing knowledge and expertise to facilitate successful integration into the team.
- Demonstrated a high level of adaptability in adjusting to ever-changing patient acuity levels within the critical care unit, ensuring consistent delivery of safe and effective nursing care.
- Managed multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining focus on providing exceptional patient-centered care within a fast-paced critical care environment.
- Maintained high standards of infection control within the critical care unit, contributing to a safer environment for both patients and staff.
Home Health Aide
Freelance/Self Employed
Norfolk, VA
02.2018 - 12.2021
- Helped patients maintain personal hygiene through bathing, grooming, and toileting assistance when necessary for dignity preservation.
- Maintained a clean and safe home environment for patients, reducing falls and accidents.
- Assisted clients with daily living activities, enhancing their independence and quality of life.
- Performed light housekeeping duties including laundry linen changes sweeping vacuuming and mopping ensuring a clean and organized living space for patients.
- Improved patient well-being by providing compassionate and attentive personal care.
- Provided mobility assistance such as walking and regular exercising.
- Monitored client health by performing routine pulse, temperature and blood pressure checks.
- Assisted disabled clients to support independence and well-being.
Emergency Department Technician
Bon Secours Maryview and Depaul Medical Center
Portsmouth, VA
06.2009 - 02.2018
- Assisted with resuscitation, CPR, and emergency airway procedures.
- Enhanced patient care by providing assistance to nurses and physicians during medical procedures.
- Assisted in obtaining and documenting vital signs and placement of oxygen saturation, cardiac monitoring, and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring systems.
- Participated in ongoing training programs to stay current on best practices in emergency medicine.
- Collected basic samples, labeled specimens properly, and transferred to laboratory for testing.
- Administered IVs, medications, wound dressings, assisting healthcare providers in delivering high-quality treatment plans.
Combat Medic (68W)
US Army
11.2003 - 11.2011
- Assisted in the development and execution of realistic training scenarios simulating battlefield injuries, honing both individual proficiencies and collective teamwork capabilities within the unit.
- Served as a trusted advisor for unit leaders on healthcare-related matters, leveraging medical expertise to promote informed decision-making during critical situations.
- Ensured the proper handling of sensitive medical information by adhering to strict privacy regulations and maintaining detailed patient records.
- Contributed to the overall health of unit members through conducting routine medical evaluations, immunizations, and preventive healthcare measures.
- Improved overall mission effectiveness by providing critical medical support during high-stress situations in various environments.
- Acted as team leader and took responsibility for scene and unit management to maximize integrated support of patients.
EMT
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Medical Transport And 5K
11.2004 - 06.2009
- Evaluated patient vital signs and status to determine care needs using pulse oximeters and electronic vital sign machines.
- Conducted equipment and vehicle checks to maintain continuous and safe operation.
- Maintained a clean and organized ambulance, ensuring optimal readiness for emergency calls.
- Managed inventory of medical supplies, ensuring adequate stock levels for effective emergency response.
- Expedited life-saving interventions by rapidly assessing patients'' conditions based on vital signs, symptoms, and medical history.
- Controlled wounds and injuries en-route to hospitals, prepping patients for advanced treatments or maintaining conditions pre-arrival.
- Maintained levelheadedness and efficiency in high-pressure situations, effectively prioritizing tasks to save lives and provide medical care.
- Collaborated with medical professionals to communicate patient needs with accuracy and speed using hospital and medical codes.
Education
Baccalaureate - Registered Nursing
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA06.2023
Associate Of Applied Science - General Studies/Pre Nursing
Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA05.2020
Skills
- Mental health evaluation
- Direct patient care
- Clinical documentation
- Patient assessments
- Medication administration
- Crisis intervention
- De-escalation techniques
- Self-care promotion
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Substance abuse treatment
- Attention to detail
- Compassionate and caring
- Emergency care
- IV insertion
Affiliations
Member of The National Society of Leadership and Success
Member of Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Chapter
Certification
CPI
ACLS
BLS
PALS
NIHSS
PRECEPTOR
TRIAGE
Languages
Patois
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center
12.2024 - Current
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center
06.2023 - 12.2024
Home Health Aide
Freelance/Self Employed
02.2018 - 12.2021
Emergency Department Technician
Bon Secours Maryview and Depaul Medical Center
06.2009 - 02.2018
EMT
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
11.2004 - 06.2009
Combat Medic (68W)
US Army
11.2003 - 11.2011
Baccalaureate - Registered Nursing
Norfolk State University
Associate Of Applied Science - General Studies/Pre Nursing
Tidewater Community College