Barbara Adams
Yucca Valley,CA
Summary
Over 10 years experience in pediatric and adult acute care oncology nursing. With experience facilitating peer-to-peer cancer grief groups and support to patients on hospice and experience serving as a volunteer mentor/counselor for young adults aging out of the foster care system. Traveled providing and teaching nursing care in Mexico, Peru and Guatemala. Former Peace Corps Education Volunteer, Poland.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Desert Regional Medical Cancer Center
05.2023 - Current
- Developed trusting relationships with patients through active listening skills and empathetic communication style, fostering supportive environment during challenging times in their lives.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
Grief Facilitator/Peer Counselor
David Kessler - Tender Hearts
01.2023 - 08.2023
- Established trust within groups, fostering open communication among grieving individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Improved participants'' emotional well-being by providing safe space to share their experiences and feelings related to loss.
Pediatric Nurse, Oncology/Hematology Outpatient Infusion Clinic and Acute Care Unit
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
09.2011 - 01.2021
- Assessed patients during course of treatment to identify concerning reactions.
- Developed strong rapport with pediatric patients through age-appropriate interactions that foster trust and cooperation during treatments.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for pediatric oncology patients.
Registered Nurse, Adult Acute Care/Medical-Surgical
UCLA Medical Center
12.2010 - 01.2016
- Provided acute care to adult oncology patients with diagnosed with sarcomas, lymphomas, lung and breast cancers
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Monitored patients with oncologic emergencies: tumor lysis syndrome, spinal cord compression, sepsis, pleural effusions
- Collaborated with palliative care team mindfully provide end-of-life care to patients and families
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Mentored new oncology nurses, sharing knowledge gained from years of experience in specialized cancer care settings.
Part-time Clinical Nursing Instructor
UCLA School of Nursing
06.2010 - 06.2011
- Acted as clinical instructor for adult medical surgical nursing students
- Trained 15-30 students to identify signs of patient health deterioration and clinical equipment malfunction to promote achievement of course objectives.
- Demonstrated how to safely give both oral and IV medications to students
- Developed critical thinking team oriented case studies for students
- Graded student nursing notes
International Volunteer Nurse
Rotary Smiles International
07.2009 - 11.2009
- Provided post-surgery care to children and families post cleft palate surgeries in resource limited clinic.
- Educated patients on proper post-operative care routines, reducing the likelihood of complications or readmissions.
Education
Certification Level 1 Trauma Stabilization - Psychology
Academy of Therapy Wisdom
San Francisco, CA And Online01.2024
Certification - Grief Education And Counseling
Tender Hearts
Los Angeles, CA And Online 05.2023
MSN in Nursing - Nursing
University of California
Los Angeles, CA06.2009
BA - History And Film
New York University
New York, NY07.1990
Skills
- Interpret patient information, such as health records, to determine best actions Medication and IV administration
- Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization
- Compassionate and Caring
- Support and education
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Patient Advocacy
Certification
- Chemotherapy and biological provider - pediatrics,
- Certified Oncology Nurse, Adult
- Certified Oncology Nurse, Pediatric
- Certified Grief Educator
- Certified Trauma Informed Stabilization, Level I
Awards
- Good Catch Award, 09/01/15, Awarded the "Good Catch Award" for catching a medical error that could have resulted in patient harm
- Patient Satisfaction Award, 05/01/13. Patient generated award.
- Nominated "Best Oncology Nurse UCLA inpatient," (2011)
- Nursing Honor Society, UCLA
Publications
- American Journal of Nursing, http://Journals.lww.com/an%20online/Fulltext/2018/04000/Easter_Egg_on_the_Oncology_unit_Unit.40.aspx, 04/01/18
- UCLA School of Medicine, The BEAT, "Suffering Will Bring Him Closer to God," Creative Non-Fiction exploring a morally distressing end of life situation on a pediatric oncology floor.
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Desert Regional Medical Cancer Center
05.2023 - Current
Grief Facilitator/Peer Counselor
David Kessler - Tender Hearts
01.2023 - 08.2023
Pediatric Nurse, Oncology/Hematology Outpatient Infusion Clinic and Acute Care Unit
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
09.2011 - 01.2021
Registered Nurse, Adult Acute Care/Medical-Surgical
UCLA Medical Center
12.2010 - 01.2016
Part-time Clinical Nursing Instructor
UCLA School of Nursing
06.2010 - 06.2011
International Volunteer Nurse
Rotary Smiles International
07.2009 - 11.2009
Certification Level 1 Trauma Stabilization - Psychology
Academy of Therapy Wisdom
Certification - Grief Education And Counseling
Tender Hearts
MSN in Nursing - Nursing
University of California
BA - History And Film
New York University
- Chemotherapy and biological provider - pediatrics,
- Certified Oncology Nurse, Adult
- Certified Oncology Nurse, Pediatric
- Certified Grief Educator
- Certified Trauma Informed Stabilization, Level I
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