Charlene Crouse
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse with extensive experience at Twin County Regional Hospice, excelling in patient end of life care. Recognized for enhancing patient comfort through effective pain management and empathetic communication. Proven ability to monitor vital signs and advocate for patients, ensuring high-quality, individualized care in challenging environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Mount Rogers Sponsored Residential Provider
Mount Rogers Community Service
09.2015 - Current
- Monitored compliance with local housing regulations by conducting routine inspections of common areas as well as individual units.
- Conducted regular safety drills to educate residents on emergency protocols, maintaining a secure living environment.
- Maintained a safe and comfortable living environment for residents through regular inspections and repairs.
- Coordinated social events for community engagement, resulting in stronger relationships among residents.
- Assisted patients with dressing, grooming and feeding needs, helping to overcome, and adapt to mobility restrictions.
- Provided patients with assistance in completing daily tasks, reducing daily burden on family members.
- Assisted patients with handling daily chores and errands by transporting to appointments, cleaning personal spaces, and purchasing supplies.
- Cooked tasty, nourishing meals for patients to promote better nutrition.
- Interacted kindly with patients and families and displayed positive, outgoing attitude, resulting in establishment of long-term, professional relationships.
- Kept close eye on behavior and emotional responses of clients to address concerns and protect each person from harm.
- Encouraged patients to participate in safe physical activity to help boost mood and improve overall wellness.
- Helped patients safely transition between sleeping surfaces and mobility assistance such as wheelchairs by providing consistent support.
- Recognized and reported abnormalities or changes in patients' health status and documented these changes, reporting them to supervisor.
- Checked vital signs on daily basis and contacted supervisor regarding patient health concerns or behavioral changes.
- Recorded temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate as directed by medical or nursing staff.
- Offered support for client mental and emotional needs to enhance physical outcomes and overall happiness.
- Coordinated daily medicine schedules and administration to help clients address symptoms and enhance quality of life.
- Provided direct personal care and administrative services to clients.
- Monitored changes in clients' conditions to report concerns to supervisor.
- Transported clients for medical and personal outings.
- Assisted clients with living independently through skill-building and mentoring in areas such as housekeeping adaptations and preparation of healthy meals.
- Utilized universal precautions and infection control principles in all aspects of care.
- Scheduled and coordinated medical appointments.
- Documented vital statistics and coordinated with health care providers.
Hospice Nurse
Twin County Regional Hospice
05.2018 - 05.2020
- Managed pain effectively by closely monitoring symptoms and adjusting medications accordingly.
- Improved patient comfort by providing compassionate end-of-life care and symptom management.
- Coordinated with physicians to adjust medications as needed for optimal palliative care outcomes.
- Offered listening ear to both patients and loved ones to meet emotional and mental, as well as physical needs.
- Promoted a peaceful and supportive environment for patients and their families during the end-of-life transition.
- Advocated for patients'' wishes regarding medical treatment options, respecting cultural beliefs and values throughout the decision-making process.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plan for each hospice patient while following physician instructions.
- Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times.
- Established and maintained successful relationships with patients, families and physicians by utilizing exemplary communication and active listening skills.
- Enhanced family understanding of the hospice process through clear communication and education.
- Implemented creative non-pharmacological interventions for symptom management, enhancing patient comfort and overall quality of life.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current research findings in palliative care nursing practice through ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Increased patient satisfaction by addressing emotional, spiritual, and physical needs holistically.
- Provided high level of quality, compassionate care to patients and caregivers during each nursing shift.
- Taught family members and caregivers various ways to manage patients' pain, how to check for vital signs and proper methods for dressing changes.
- Supported grieving families through bereavement counseling services and educational resources on coping mechanisms.
- Proactively addressed potential crises by anticipating needs and communicating concerns with interdisciplinary team members.
- Served as a key liaison between patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare providers to ensure seamless coordination of services.
- Coordinated with healthcare providers to ensure seamless delivery of hospice services, optimizing patient care continuity.
- Utilized holistic approach to care, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients.
- Improved family satisfaction with hospice care by offering emotional support and grief counseling.
- Administered medications efficiently, ensuring symptom management and patient comfort.
- Fostered supportive and empathetic environment for patients and their families during challenging times.
- Ensured compliance with all healthcare laws, regulations, and ethical standards, upholding highest level of professional integrity.
- Facilitated interdisciplinary team meetings to review patient care plans and progress, ensuring cohesive approach to patient care.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate end-of-life care tailored to individual needs.
- Monitored patient conditions closely, adjusting care plans as needed for optimal comfort and quality of life.
- Educated families on pain management techniques, enhancing their ability to support their loved ones.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Registered Nurse
River North Correctional Center
10.2015 - 04.2017
- Streamlined medication administration processes, ensuring timely and accurate delivery to patients.
- Contributed to overall facility security by reporting suspicious behaviors or potential threats promptly and accurately.
- Supported newly hired nurses through mentorship initiatives, sharing knowledge and expertise to help them succeed in the correctional nursing environment.
- Promoted a safe environment by adhering to infection control protocols, reducing the spread of communicable diseases within the facility.
- Enhanced patient care by conducting thorough assessments and developing tailored treatment plans for inmates.
- Increased patient satisfaction through empathetic listening and addressing inmate concerns in a timely manner.
- Developed professional relationships with fellow nurses, physicians, and corrections officers to foster teamwork in delivering quality patient care.
- Optimized resource utilization by monitoring supply levels and reordering medications as needed, minimizing waste and saving costs for the institution.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices and nursing innovations for application within the correctional healthcare setting.
- Upheld ethical nursing standards in all interactions with patients, colleagues, corrections officers, and other stakeholders within the correctional setting.
- Provided critical health education to inmates, empowering them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
- Reduced incidents of self-harm among inmates by providing mental health support and crisis intervention services.
- Demonstrated cultural competence while working with diverse populations, facilitating trust-building between staff members and inmates from various backgrounds.
- Improved staff communication through comprehensive documentation and efficient handover practices.
- Managed emergency situations effectively, performing life-saving interventions as necessary.
- Maintained accurate medical records for legal compliance, contributing to a well-organized healthcare system within the correctional facility.
- Stabilized prisoners suffering from falls, stab wounds or other injuries prior to hospital transfer.
- Treated variety of illnesses affecting offenders in close quarters.
- Complied with all security regulations within prison system and administered care in safest possible environment.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
- Administered different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
- Performed mental health evaluations when warranted and recommended patients to therapists.
- Created and implemented care plans for prisoners suffering from chronic conditions.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
Registered Nurse
Southwest Virginia Training Center
08.2009 - 09.2015
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- 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.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients'' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
- Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex cases.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Bluefield University
Bluefield, VA05-2013
Associate of Science - Nursing
Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, VA05-2009
High School Diploma -
Carroll County High School
Carroll County VA05-2004
Skills
- Patient care
- Mental health support
- Time management
- Progress monitoring
- First aid and CPR
- Disability sensitivity
- Adaptive equipment use
- Compassionate caregiving
- Vital signs monitoring
- Behavior documentation
- Clinical documentation
- Resident advocacy
Timeline
Hospice Nurse
Twin County Regional Hospice
05.2018 - 05.2020
Registered Nurse
River North Correctional Center
10.2015 - 04.2017
Mount Rogers Sponsored Residential Provider
Mount Rogers Community Service
09.2015 - Current
Registered Nurse
Southwest Virginia Training Center
08.2009 - 09.2015
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Bluefield University
Associate of Science - Nursing
Wytheville Community College
High School Diploma -
Carroll County High School
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