CAROLYN RATCLIFFE
Selma,AL
Summary
Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader. Skilled nursing professional with more than 40 years in labor and delivery and 5 years in Medsurg of experience and passion for providing highest quality of behavioral and medical care. Compassionate and empathetic advocate for patients and families. Skillfully assesses health status, develops diagnoses and manages care for patients with acute and chronic concerns. Experienced in structured and unstructured environments, smoothly coordinating multiple activities and competing priorities. Hardworking nursing professional bringing 40+ years of experience delivering exceptional care to OB/MEDSURG patients. Knowledgeable about managing care of labor and delivery/newborn care patients requirements and skilled at maximizing patient comfort and safety while meeting strict cost control standards. Well-organized and forward-thinking in managing patient needs. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure entry-level RN position. Ready to help team achieve company goals. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
43
43
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN STAFF NURSE(LABOR AND DELIVERY)
Vaughn Regional Medical Center
08.1985 - Current
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Effectively prioritized assignments, executing care based on each patient's relative condition and delegating tasks to available personnel deliver safe and efficient care.
- Worked within interdisciplinary health care team to develop, implement and make adjustments to patient care plans, individualizing strategies, and methods to improve health and meet recovery goals.
- Identified patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with patients and families.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Managed elements of patient care from admission to discharge or transfer to other units.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Gathered patient health data through interviews and observation, documenting data in electronic records.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Verified patients had information necessary for ongoing care, providing guidance on diagnoses, management of medications, and prevention methods.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning to provide post-discharge patient care, promoting healing and recovery.
- Developed and implemented individualized patient care plans for optimal outcomes.
- Assisted with delivery of newborns, providing care and support for successful transition to motherhood.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
RN Staff Nurse
Vaughn Regional Medical Center
08.1980 - Current
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
Education
Associate of Science - RN
WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SELMA05.1985
Associate of Applied Science - LPN
H. Councill Trenholm State Community College
Montgomery, AL05.1979
Skills
- Chronic Disease Management
- Care Planning
- Tracheostomy Care
- Family Education
- Patient Education
- Vaccine Administration
- Critical Care
- Newborn Care
- Emergency Procedures
- Wound Care
- Patient Management
- Infection Control Measures
- Medication and IV Administration
- Skill Development
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Supervised team of 4 staff members.
Affiliations
CHI-ETA-PHI NURSING SORORITY
AWHON
Certification
NRP
ACLS
BCLS
EFM
REFERENCES
CLARA MOORER (334)317-3171
SIRREA JOHNSON(334) 505-5614
JANETTE LEWIS (251) 593-9703
Timeline
RN STAFF NURSE(LABOR AND DELIVERY)
Vaughn Regional Medical Center
08.1985 - Current
RN Staff Nurse
Vaughn Regional Medical Center
08.1980 - Current
Associate of Science - RN
WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Associate of Applied Science - LPN
H. Councill Trenholm State Community College
NRP
ACLS
BCLS
EFM
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