Lisa Armstrong RN BSN
Scituate,MA
Summary
Professional Operating Room Nurse with extensive experience at Massachusetts General Hospital, recognized for enhancing patient safety through meticulous sterile techniques and strong critical thinking. Proven ability to foster teamwork and collaboration while delivering exceptional surgical care, ensuring optimal patient outcomes and satisfaction. Committed to continuous improvement and professional development in high-pressure environments.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Operating Room Nurse
Massachusetts General Hospital
10.1983 - 06.2021
- Participated in MGH's Infection Control Committee
- Increased patient satisfaction by providing comprehensive explanations of procedures and answering questions regarding their care plan.
- Performed preoperative assessments on patients and evaluated overall health.
- Provided high level of individualized care to adult patients across multiple medical specialties.
- Educated patients and families on illnesses, medications and treatment plans.
- Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
- Assessed team members' workloads and pitched in to help in areas where need was most evident.
- Assisted anesthesia providers during induction and emergence phases, promoting smooth transitions into and out of surgery for patients.
- Implemented strict infection control measures, maintaining a sterile environment for all surgical procedures.
- Assisted in complex surgeries, demonstrating advanced clinical skills and knowledge of various surgical techniques.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient information throughout the perioperative process, ensuring seamless transitions between care stages.
- Utilized advanced problem-solving skills to quickly address emergent situations in the operating room, ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
- Streamlined communication between OR nurses and other hospital departments, enhancing coordination of patient care plans.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in operating room nursing.
- Contributed to policy updates related to OR standards of practice to maintain compliance with regulatory agencies.
- Reduced surgery times through effective pre-operative preparations and timely communication with team members.
- Optimized scheduling efficiency by coordinating operating room assignments based on surgical priorities and staff availability.
- Conducted thorough assessments of patients'' medical histories to identify potential complications prior to surgery.
- Monitored surgical patients and delivered quality level of care before, during and after operations to promote positive outcomes.
- Kept count of all surgical instruments and sponges used during operations and procedures.
- Developed strong relationships with interdisciplinary team members, fostering a collaborative work environment within the operating room setting.
- Collaborated closely with surgeons to ensure proper equipment setup and availability of necessary instruments.
- Improved patient outcomes by efficiently managing operating room processes and coordinating with surgical teams.
- Evaluated inventory levels of surgical supplies regularly, ensuring adequate stock for scheduled procedures without excess waste or shortages.
- Mentored new nursing staff in proper OR procedures, contributing to improved overall team performance.
- Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and safe environment.
- Coordinated with surgeons and staff to deliver safe patient care during operations.
- Collected, labeled, and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing.
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
- Performed pre-operative assessments to prepare patients for surgery.
- Assisted physicians in operating room by providing necessary supplies and equipment.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Sanitized, selected and organizing instruments, equipment and supplies according to surgeon preferences.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- 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.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
Operating Room Nurse
Tufts Medical Center
09.2005 - 09.2020
- Maintained a sterile environment within the operating room, reducing the risk of infection.
- Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and safe environment.
- Coordinated with surgeons and staff to deliver safe patient care during operations.
- Implemented time-out protocols before starting surgeries, verifying correct patient identification and procedural details.
- Mentored new nurses entering the profession, guiding them through their initial experiences within the operating room setting.
- Prepared equipment and supplies necessary for each surgical procedure, ensuring availability when needed by surgeons.
- Adapted quickly to changing situations in the operating room, utilizing problem-solving skills under pressure.
- Performed pre-operative assessments to prepare patients for surgery.
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
- Reduced postoperative complications through vigilant monitoring of patients during surgery.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork within the surgical suite by fostering open communication and collaboration among colleagues.
- Assisted in complex surgeries with precise execution of tasks, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures.
- Enhanced patient safety by implementing strict adherence to surgical protocols and guidelines.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to optimize patient outcomes and enhance OR practices.
- Coordinated with anesthesia providers to ensure proper administration of anesthesia during procedures.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Staff Nurse
Massachusetts General Hospital
08.1982 - 10.1983
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Reduced medication errors through meticulous charting and double-checking dosages.
- Developed and implemented individualized patient care plans for optimal outcomes.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of care plans regularly, making adjustments as needed based on individual patient needs and progress toward goals.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Education
Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Chicage03-2022
Associate of Science - Nursing
North Shore
Beverly, MA04-1989
Licensed Practical Nursing - Nursing
Shepard Gill of The Massachusetts Genaral Hospital
Boston, MA07-1982
Skills
- Vital signs
- Medication administration
- Sterile technique
- Operating Room Charge Nurse
- Surgical care
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Patient safety
- Patient charting
- Patient positioning
- Critical care
- Complex medical terminology
- Surgical support
- Multitasking
- Strong clinical judgment
- Direct patient care
- CPR certification
- Physical assessment
- Safety protocols
- Patient condition monitoring
- Accurate documentation
- Analytical thinking
- Interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Creative problem solving
- Certified in CPR/AED
Timeline
Operating Room Nurse
Tufts Medical Center
09.2005 - 09.2020
Operating Room Nurse
Massachusetts General Hospital
10.1983 - 06.2021
Staff Nurse
Massachusetts General Hospital
08.1982 - 10.1983
Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Associate of Science - Nursing
North Shore
Licensed Practical Nursing - Nursing
Shepard Gill of The Massachusetts Genaral Hospital
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