DAWN SCHWANER

• Performed ongoing assessments to evaluate mental health needs, working with a multidisciplinary team to develop, initiate, manage, and modify individualized plans of care.
• Provided compassionate care to patients in end-of-life stages.
• Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, including treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
• Offered listening ear to both patients and loved ones to meet emotional and mental, as well as physical needs.
• Established and maintained successful relationships with patients, families and physicians by utilizing exemplary communication and active listening skills.
• Managed medications and monitored patient comfort levels.

• Developed individualized care plans for diverse patient populations.
• Administered medications and treatments per physician prescriptions.
• Educated patients and families on effective health management strategies.
• Monitored vital signs and administered treatments, including intravenous fluids and blood transfusions.
• Coordinated discharge planning to maintain continuity of care after hospitalization.
• Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Evaluated intervention effectiveness through clinical indicators and patient observations.
• Provided direct supervision for Licensed Practical Nurses in Medical Surgical Unit.

• Managed medications and monitored patient comfort levels.
• Advocated for patient wishes in care decision-making processes.
• Trained new staff on palliative care practices and protocols.
• Assessed and evaluated patient's physical and emotional needs to provide appropriate care.
• Collaborated with physicians to develop treatment plans that met the needs of the patient while respecting their wishes.
• Encouraged family participation in decision making throughout the course of treatment.
• Monitored changes in a patient's condition and reported any concerns or issues to the physician immediately.
• Provided emotional support to terminally ill patients and their families during difficult times.
• Delivered respectful, compassionate care to each patient and family member.
• Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.

Louisville, KY

Aug 2009 - Sep 2011

• Monitored patient vital signs using electrocardiograms and other advanced equipment to foster telemetry care.
• Collaborated with cardiologists to diagnose causes of arrhythmias-monitored patients post pacemaker and CT placement , ablation, medications and other interventional treatments.
• Administered nursing care to cardiac patients undergoing diagnostic, therapeutic or emergency services.
• Administered medication, pain management and analysis of patient responses to interventions to improve individual performance.
• Utilized variety of technical equipment, including stethoscopes, thermometers and sphygmomanometers, to meet patient needs and prescribed medical therapies.
• Conducted initial assessments, documented findings in patient records and notified physicians of abnormal findings.

• Educated patients and families on illnesses, medications and treatment plans.
• Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
• Monitored patients before and after surgical operations including women's surgeries, lap choleys, appendectomies and gastric bypass monitoring strict I&O, VS and possible surgical complications
• Assessed team members' workloads and pitched in to help in areas where need was most evident.
• Started intravenous fluids, administered medications and obtained labs as ordered.
• Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
• Oversaw delivery of care for all patients on a 28 bed medical-surgical unit, providing direct care to up to 6 patients, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians and unit clerks.