Darla Oldham

I currently work on a very fast paced post op orthopedic/medical/surgical floor that has achieved Orthopedic Center of Excellence certification.

• I care for a team of 5 to 6 post operative elective orthopedic surgeries ie: hip, knee and shoulder joint replacements, spinal surgeries plus other surgeries, hiatal hernia, colon resections, urological surgeries. Also general medical patients including COPD, CHF exacerbations and much more.
• I provide wound care including post operative and chronic wounds. Managing drains, hemovac, Jackson Pratt, penrose and wound vacs.
• Conduct thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
• Administer medications including pain medications, safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention. As well as educating patients on the medications.
• I excel in promoting patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
• I strive to prevent the spread of infection by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper wound care and infection prevention.
• I love precepting nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing them valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth. I've received much positive feedback and gratitude from students I've precepted.
• Skillfully manage challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills. My years of experience help me excel at this.
• Improve patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
• Document thoroughly, assessments, treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge and follow-up care instructions.

• Company Overview: St. John Ascension HEYMAN STROKE CENTER
• Provided direct care to patients suffering from neurological conditions including stroke, Guillain-Barre, cerebral hemorrhage, post-craniotomy
• Educated patients and families on signs and symptoms of stroke, risk factors and medications to treat and prevent strokes
• Communicated and coordinated care with physicians, physical therapists, speech therapist, occupational therapist and case managers
• NIHSS certified
• Utilized strong assessment skills in identifying early warning signs of complications or deterioration in patients'' conditions, allowing for prompt interventions when necessary.
• Educated family members on proper caregiving techniques, enabling them to provide more informed support for their loved ones during recovery periods.
• Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with new life changing stroke effects.

• Company Overview: Small rural hospital in NE Oklahoma MEDICAL/SURGICAL/STEPDOWN
• Provided direct care to a team of 5-6 patients of any and all ages and diagnosis.
• OHI (Oklahoma Heart Institute) located in the hospital. Cared for patients pre and post cardiac catheterization.
• Cared for orthopedic patients with Stryker reinfusion drains and those using CPM post knee surgery
• Floated to other departments to assist as needed including ER and ICU

• Company Overview: MEDICAL/SURGICAL/LABOR AND DELIVERY/MOTHER BABY
• Provided direct care to obstetrical, medical and surgical patients at a small rural hospital
• Cared for patients throughout antepartum, labor induction, active labor, delivery and postpartum period including post c-section, new born and mother/baby couplet care
• Provided education on breastfeeding, newborn care and more
• Conducted newborn assessments including gestational age, hearing screenings and bilirubin scans
• When there were no obstetric patients in house, I cared for medical surgical patients from birth to 100+ with a variety of health conditions
• MEDICAL/SURGICAL/LABOR AND DELIVERY/MOTHER BABY

• Company Overview: HOSPICE CASE MANAGER
• Performed admission assessments, identified patient and family needs for holistic multidisciplinary care, equipment, medications and other needs as indicated
• Performed routine assessments while providing direct care to Hospice patients
• Administered medications and other comfort measures as needed for patients actively dying
• Provided emotional support to families
• Attended patient deaths
• HOSPICE CASE MANAGER

• Company Overview: OBSTETRIC CARE
• Provided direct care to patients throughout triage/antepartum, labor, delivery and postpartum periods
• Provided mother/baby care
• Cared for patients with obstetrical complications such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, preterm labor, postpartum hemorrhage etc
• Circulated c-sections both scheduled and emergent
• Monitored electronic fetal heart rate during labor, intervening when necessary
• Cared for patients being induced with cytotec and/or Pitocin
• Assessed newborns for gestational age, abnormalities, etc
• Provided direct care to newborns rooming in with mom
• Provided continuous education on breastfeeding, newborn care, circumcision care, care seat safety, etc throughout hospital stay
• Performed newborn hearing screening, bilirubin scan collected lab for PKU screening
• Provided discharge education
• OBSTETRIC CARE

• Took some personal time

• Company Overview: RENAL TRANSPLANT GERIATRIC GENERAL MEDICAL
• Provided total 1:1 intensive care to renal transplant patients
• Worked 1 year on a geriatric floor
• Participated in opening the first NICHE (Nurses Improving Care to Health System Elders) in Oklahoma providing care specifically to the older population
• Also cared for general medical patients
• RENAL TRANSPLANT GERIATRIC GENERAL MEDICAL

• Company Overview: LABOR AND DELIVERY, POSTPARTUM, MOTHER/BABY/GYN
• Provided direct care to patients throughout triage, antepartum, labor, delivery and postpartum periods, including mother/baby
• Cared for newborns
• Completed PCEP, certification in advanced fetal heart rate monitoring and Certified Breast Feeding Education
• Developed a bereavement program for infant loss
• LABOR AND DELIVERY, POSTPARTUM, MOTHER/BABY/GYN