Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Desiree Johnson

Selden,NY

Summary

Compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse with 18 years experience in post-surgical care and leadership as a charge nurse. Adept at providing high-quality patient care, managing nursing staff and ensuring smooth operational efficiency. Seeking to leverage extensive clinical expertise and leadership skills in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Charge Nurse, ANCC- Surgical Stepdown Unit

St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
11.2010 - 10.2024
  • Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
  • Coordinated and supervised nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
  • Conducted daily shift briefs to inform staff of changes in patient care assignments.
  • Mentored and supervised junior nurses, fostering a supportive and professional work environment.
  • Administered post surgical assessments and interventions, monitoring patients vitals and ensuring quick identification of complications.
  • Managed patient flow and staffing levels to maintain high quality care while ensuring compliance with hospital policies and regulatory guidelines.
  • Provided leadership in emergency situations, utilizing clinical expertise and judgement to support decision-making and action plans.
  • Facilitated educational sessions for staff to promote best practices, safe patient care and effective communication within the unit.
  • Participated in quality improvement initiatives aimed at reducing surgical site infections and improving patient outcomes.
  • Served as a liaison between nursing staff, physicians, and management, fostering open communication channels among all parties involved in patient care.
  • Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.

Registered Nurse-Surgical Care/Registered Nurse, Step Down Unit

St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
06.2006 - 11.2010
  • Assisted in pre-operative care and post-operative care for a variety of surgical procedures including orthopedic, gastrointestinal/colorectal, neurosurgical, urological, bariatric and general surgeries.
  • 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 surgeons with necessary procedures and interventions, ensuring that sterile techniques and safety protocols were strictly followed.
  • Maintained accurate and up-to-date patient records, documenting all assessments, interventions, and outcomes in compliance with hospital standards.
  • Maintained open, clear and effective communication with surgeons and doctors to provide on patient status, ensuring that care plans were adjusted promptly when necessary.
  • Collaborated with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other specialists to develop and implement individualized, comprehensive care plans, ensuring each patient received optimal care.
  • Led daily rounds with physicians and surgical staff to discuss patient progress, post surgical recovery, and potential complications, ensuring the entire team was aligned on goals and interventions.
  • Facilitated patient transfer between departments or units, ensuring smooth transitions while communicating important patient information to receiving medical teams.
  • Acted as patient advocate, ensuring patient needs were met while providing clear communication between them and the surgical team.
  • Provided emotional support to patients and families, ensuring they felt informed, heard and comfortable throughout the recovery process.
  • 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.
  • Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.


Patient Care Technician

Peconic Bay Medical Center
06.2005 - 05.2006
  • Monitored vital signs and reported changes to nursing staff, ensuring timely medical interventions when necessary.
  • Assisted nurses with essential tasks, streamlining workflow and increasing efficiency in the healthcare setting.
  • Provided high-quality personal care to patients, promoting comfort and dignity during their hospital stay.
  • Performed blood draws, EKGs, and other diagnostic tests accurately and efficiently for prompt analysis by healthcare professionals.
  • Maintained clean and safe environment to promote patient safety and comfort.
  • Contributed to a positive patient experience by keeping rooms clean, organized, and well-stocked with supplies.
  • Assisted in transferring patients, beds and patient care equipment to other rooms adhering to necessary safety precautions.
  • Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
  • Facilitated smooth transitions between shifts by maintaining thorough documentation of patient care activities and observations.
  • Enabled increased mobility for patients by assisting with ambulation exercises and transfers using proper body mechanics techniques.
  • Assisted nursing staff with completing daily rounds, documenting vital signs and answering calls.
  • Maintained patient stability by checking vital signs and weight and recording intake and outtake information.
  • Changed linens in rooms, keeping spaces fresh and clean for patient health and satisfaction.
  • Completed activities of daily living for patients unable to self-care, and assisted those with limited mobility in completing tasks.

Medical Assistant

Queens Long Island Medical Grp
01.2001 - 08.2003
  • Sanitized, restocked, and organized exam rooms and medical equipment.
  • Obtained client medical history, medication information, symptoms, and allergies.
  • Directed patients to exam rooms, fielded questions, and prepared for physician examinations.
  • Performed medical records management, including filing, organizing and scanning documents.
  • Built strong relationships with patients through effective communication skills that foster trust in the clinic''s commitment to quality care.
  • Kept medical supplies in sufficient stock by monitoring levels and submitting replenishment orders before depleted.
  • Performed phlebotomy tasks efficiently while ensuring minimal discomfort for patients during blood collection procedures.
  • Enhanced clinic efficiency by assisting physicians with routine procedures and diagnostic tests.
  • Coordinated patient referrals to specialists or other healthcare providers as needed for comprehensive care management plans.
  • Maintained strict adherence to infection control protocols by following proper sterilization techniques for medical equipment.
  • Improved patient experiences by efficiently managing appointments and maintaining organized medical records.
  • Optimized appointment scheduling processes to minimize conflicts and maximize physician availability for patients.
  • Aided in accurate diagnoses by performing laboratory tests and preparing specimens for analysis.
  • Conducted patient follow-up calls to monitor treatment progress and answer any questions.
  • Performed EKGs and other diagnostic tests, contributing to accurate and timely diagnoses.
  • Contributed to clean and safe clinic environment by adhering to sanitation protocols.
  • Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
  • Obtained and documented patient medical history, vital signs and current complaints at intake.

Education

Associate of Science - Nursing

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY
01-2006

No Degree - Clinical Medical Assistant

Board of Cooperative Educational Services
Bellport, NY
12-2000

Skills

  • Decision-making
  • Clinical leadership
  • Care coordination
  • Team leadership
  • Compassionate and patient
  • Calm and composed
  • Medication administration
  • Mentoring and coaching
  • Post surgical patient care
  • HIPAA compliance
  • Patient assessments
  • Staff scheduling
  • Direct patient care
  • Patient advocacy
  • Quality improvement
  • Duty delegation
  • Admission and discharge planning
  • Patient management
  • Pain management and wound care
  • Performing and troubleshooting EKG's
  • Insertion, maintain and assessment of IV's
  • Insertion, maintain and removal of foley catheters and nasogastric tubes
  • Surgical drain care
  • Knowledge of universal precautions and sterile technique
  • Medical Records and documentation
  • Knowledge of EMR-EPIC
  • Knowledge of wound vac therapy
  • CPR certified

Certification

Basic Life Support Certification,

EKG Certification,

Phelbotomy Certification


Timeline

Charge Nurse, ANCC- Surgical Stepdown Unit

St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
11.2010 - 10.2024

Registered Nurse-Surgical Care/Registered Nurse, Step Down Unit

St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
06.2006 - 11.2010

Patient Care Technician

Peconic Bay Medical Center
06.2005 - 05.2006

Medical Assistant

Queens Long Island Medical Grp
01.2001 - 08.2003

Associate of Science - Nursing

Suffolk County Community College

No Degree - Clinical Medical Assistant

Board of Cooperative Educational Services
Desiree Johnson