Gretchen Thomas
Experienced Registered Nurse with a strong background in patient assessments, direct patient care, and care coordination. Skilled in monitoring changing conditions, educating families, and supporting safe, timely interventions.
Work History
Home Health Registered Nurse
9 Months- Assessed home health patients, updated care plans, and prioritized interventions based on clinical changes.
- Documented skilled nursing visits, medication changes, and patient responses in electronic health records.
- Educated patients and caregivers on wound care, medications, symptom monitoring, and recovery instructions.
- Monitored vital signs and treatment outcomes, escalating concerns promptly to prevent avoidable complications.
- Assessed patient conditions regularly, promptly reporting changes in status to healthcare providers for timely intervention.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, prevention strategies, and self-care techniques.
- Informed physicians of any changes to patients' health or concerns observed during home visits.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by closely monitoring patients'' conditions and addressing potential complications early on.
Registered Nurse PICU
5 Years 4 Months- Administered medications safely while monitoring responses and documenting interventions in electronic health records.
- Collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate timely, patient-centered care.
- Assessed patient conditions and updated individualized care plans based on clinical changes.
- Educated patients and families on treatment plans, discharge instructions, and self-care practices.
- Monitored vital signs and identified early warning signs requiring escalation of care.
- Maintained infection control standards and supported safe bedside practices across assigned units.
- Mentored new nurses and reinforced unit protocols, clinical workflows, and documentation standards.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
RN Refresher - Nursing
Skills
Timeline
Home Health Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse PICU
South Dakota State University
William Carey University
80 hour preceptorship completed at NMC rehab floor
I worked under Melissa Tripplet for 7 shifts, gradually increasing my patient load to a full RN daily assignment.
I completed assessments, provided medications, assisted with meals and ambulation, performed dressing changes, completed discharges, assessed pain management and provided pain medication while evaluating proper responses as well as providing therapeutic measures for pain management.
At the end of the 80 hours, I felt comfortable caring for 6-7 patients, and worked with interdisciplinary teams to provide patient care, report changes in patient status, and implement orders.