BETTY ANN RUSSELL

Triage nurse in highly reputable facility for rheumatology/autoimmune clinic. This position included fielding phone calls/computer messages from patients, providers, insurance companies and other healthcare entities related to patients plan of treatment and medications; obtained prior authorization for medications (primarily biologic's, but some more routine drugs, depending on the insurance requirements); communicated directly with insurance companies, infusion companies, specialty pharmacies, as well as equipment companies and home health agencies; drafted letters for patients when a specific request or need was identified;

Telephone calls to patients having upcoming GI procedures, reviewing health history, medications, and identifying need for clearances by other specialists prior to procedure(s); determined need for any medical reason to postpone procedure(s); acted on behalf of anesthetists to garner information which would prevent patient from having procedure(s) done at an outpatient facility; educated patients regarding diet/NPO status, medications to take and those to hold, as well as general instructions regarding pre and post op care.

• Employed as supplemental staff on orthopedic/spine/GU unit to provide care for patients with infections, as well as post op patients
• Assisted Physical therapy as needed with mobilizing patients
• Provided care for COVID positive patients, adhering to all CDC guidelines, and adminstering anti-viral medications as well as routine medications as needed.
• Educated patients and family members regarding plan of care, relaying information to health practitioners as needed
• Assisted other team members as needed

• Short term assignment to supplement full time staff on different units including med-surg, orthopedics, and oncology.
• Provided great care for COVID 19 patients, while minimizing frequent unnecessary visits in isolation rooms
• Administered medications as prescribed using pharmacists as resources when needed, for any new medications in COVID protocol
• Exhibited great attitude when floating to different units and changing units mid-shift

• Provided care to medical surgical patients, including COVID 19 patients
• Delivered outstanding and compassionate care to patients with multiple medical problems
• Assisted team members as time allowed
• Meditech software used for charting
• Prepared patients for discharge during their time in the hospital, giving them education regarding disease processes and kept patients updated on plan of care including discharge

• Provided care for patients with COVID 19 infection, as well as multiple co-morbidities
• Routine nursing care including wound care, starting IV's, managing team of 5-6 patients effectively
• Used EPIC software for charting
• Notified practitioners of abnormalities or concerns with patient progress

• 32 bed unit with pre and post operative orthopedic/neurosurgery patients, including those who have sustained fractures/trauma to bones or joints, head injuries, as well as those who have undergone a craniotomy, spine surgery, among other neurosurgery procedures.
• Proficient in preparing patients for surgery as well as sharp post-op assessment skills
• Provides excellent customer service

• Contract nurse, utilized on three different medical-surgical units, caring for patients with diabetes, heart disease, COPD, general post op patients, among other disease processes
• Updated physicians and/or mid-level staff frequently with any concerns or patient issues which required attention
• Ability to adapt to a new and changing environment in an efficient manner, while providing excellent customer service

• Provided care for patients, including those with multiple co-morbidities, as well as for post op patients who were allowed to be discharged the same evening
• Orthopedic patients included total joint replacements as well as general trauma patients with fractures
• On board as staff relief, due to EMR conversion to Cerner system

• Provided care for patients with multiple medical issues, many including active orthopedic problems requiring surgery
• Daily rounds with physicians, pharmacist, navigator, and case manager to ascertain patient's needs and continually monitor plan of care
• Routine nursing care including wound care, starting IV's, administering pain medication, education, evaluation and assessment of patient, notifying physicians of complications/concerns

• Employed as a travel nurse on a medical-surgical/oncology unit, providing care for patients with chronic and acute medical and post operative issues, with a number of these patients having past or current cancer diagnosis

• Patient care on medical-surgical unit, adeptly handling all aspects of treatment from medication to wound care to monitoring for 5 to 6 patients per shift.
• Use of Cerner EMR system

• Provided patient care on a med surg unit for patients with various types of illnesses and disease processes. Also, provided post op care for patients who were admitted for day surgery only, and discharged the same day.
• Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab tests.

• Managed 5-6 patients on various med-surg units, including post op orthopedic and general surgery patients
• Cerner EMR software program

• Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab tests.
• Chronic patient care in med-surg unit, adeptly handling all aspects of treatment from medication to wound care to monitoring for 5-6 patients per shift.

• Responsibilities included evaluating patient response to pain medication regimen, obtaining information regarding symptoms and management of any new pain, monitoring correct dosages and accurate self administration of prescription medication, assisting physicians with pain management procedures as needed.

• Managed care for 5-6 patients per shift on a med surg/oncology unit, providing education, administering medications, wound care, starting IV's, and monitoring lab and radiology results, as well as thorough, and ongoing assessments
• EPIC EMR software

• Provided staff relief during electronic medical record software conversion; telephone calls to patients who had been discharged to follow up with any questions they may have had and to evaluate customer satisfaction; Educated staff members regarding process to initiate discharge instructions in new system
  

Employed as a full-time RN on a 35 bed (approximate) medical-surgical unit; provided routine nursing care to patients with various disease processes including diabetes, heart failure, pneumonia, complicated wounds, and many infectious diseases

• Initially employed as a full time employee, transitioning to prn status when beginning travel nursing
• 28 bed unit consisting of patients with all types of disease processes including sepsis, pneumonia, diabetes, chronic renal disease, coronary artery disease, as well as general surgery patients
• Employed during time of transition to Cerner EMR system

• Travel nurse on a medical-surgical unit during EMR conversion
• Patient population consisted of those with various disease processes including chronic renal disease, sepsis, congestive heart failure, COPD exacerbation, uncontrolled diabetes, among others
• Learned EPIC software system, supported nursing staff during this time of transition