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, NY01-2006
No Degree - Clinical Medical Assistant
Board of Cooperative Educational Services
Bellport, NY12-2000
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
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