Barbara Walston
Dublin,CA
Summary
Accomplished Nurse Practitioner with a proven track record at Watson Wellness Center, adept in preventive care and patient education. Demonstrated success in interprofessional collaboration and health promotion, significantly enhancing patient outcomes. Skilled in diagnosing and implementing effective treatment plans, with a strong focus on palliative care coordination and critical thinking.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Nurse Practitoner
Bureau Of Prisons
07.2022 - Current
- Performed comprehensive physical examinations on 25 and more patients per day and documented patient histories to gather information and identify health issues.
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Prescribed and managed pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments to treat underlying causes and relieve symptoms.
- Provided medical services and care to patients with chronic and acute conditions.
- Functioned as a hospice and palliative care coordinator (HPC) for the Bureau of Prisons working in conjunction with other members of the HPC team. The program was set up to provide palliative care consultation to patients and their families, in the outpatient clinic setting and as needed in the inpatient setting, who are dealing with life threatening illness.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Watson Wellness Center
06.2019 - 06.2022
- Handled complex cases involving multiple comorbidities effectively by employing critical thinking skills and seeking expert consultations when necessary.
- Performed comprehensive physical assessments, accurately diagnosing conditions, and determining appropriate interventions.
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Performed patient physicals and compared and contrasted results with established medical records to provide proper diagnosis and facilitate appropriate treatment.
- Served as consultant to the Hospice and Palliative Care Program manager assigned, and kept the collaboration team aware of VISN and VHA National HPC Program developments.
- Evaluation of appropriateness and oversight of Non-VA Care (community) hospice referrals.
- Evaluated 25 and more patients per day, managing time constraints while delivering quality care
- Coordinate and collaborate with patients, families, and other health care providers in collaborative decision making that reflects the understanding that care should be culturally sensitive, ethical, legal, informed, compassionate and humane, and within the boundaries of available economic resources.
- Applied Critical Thinking and higher level analytical skills to identify barriers for optimal patient care delivery, utilizing process improvement strategies to correct or improve current health status.
- Life Sustaining Treatment initiative: Identified, coordinated and referred appropriate patients for Goals of Care conversations to PACT/Specialty clinics. Completed LST orders as needed. Coordinated with social workers within the various service lines to ensure that LST orders are completed for all patients enrolling into hospice.
- Educated patients/families, staff and community about Hospice and Palliative Care.
- Worked collaboratively and interprofessionally with staff of all levels and disciplines, including trainees, students, interns, residents and fellows.
Registered Nurse in Emergency Department
Kaiser Permanente
03.1995 - Current
- Caring for patients of all ages, in need of emergency level care. Timely sepsis identification and care; secure labs, initiate intravenous therapies, administer medications of various types and routes of administration. Update doctors of acute changes in need of timely intervention for positive patient outcomes
- Busy ER-seeing 250 patients per day
- Accurate critical thinking assessments to adjust care plans in the dynamic setting of the emergency department
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
San Jose CA06.2010
Master of Science - Nursing
Holy Names University
Oakland CA03.2015
Skills
- Preventive Care
- Patient Education
- Health Promotion
- Interprofessional Collaboration
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Nurse Practitoner
Bureau Of Prisons
07.2022 - Current
Family Nurse Practitioner
Watson Wellness Center
06.2019 - 06.2022
Registered Nurse in Emergency Department
Kaiser Permanente
03.1995 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
Master of Science - Nursing
Holy Names University
Similar Profiles
Tammy BashamTammy Basham
Staff Licensed Vocational Nurse at Bureau Of PrisonsStaff Licensed Vocational Nurse at Bureau Of Prisons
Dalen RungeDalen Runge
Correctional Officer at Bureau Of PrisonsCorrectional Officer at Bureau Of Prisons
Michael ChapmanMichael Chapman
Unit Manager at Bureau Of PrisonsUnit Manager at Bureau Of Prisons