Diane Townsend
DeSoto,TX
Summary
Authorized to work in the US for any employer Caring Acute Dialysis Registered Nurse promoting over 6 years of expertise in treating patients with chronic renal failure. Compassionate and highly skilled with talents in records maintenance and patient education. Pursuing a role where exceptional nursing skills can be utilized in a hospital setting. Flexible Acute Dialysis Registered Nurse with a gentle demeanor and a strong desire to care for and help patients. A composed professional with experience in dialytic therapy and treating acute kidney conditions. Promoting decision-making, analytical and leadership skills. Enthusiastic and driven with desire to provide high level of compassion in patient care to improve overall outcomes.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Acute Dialysis Registered Nurse Charge RN
BUMC
Dallas, TX
05.2017 - Current
- Baylor provides quality patient care to patients suffering from the most advanced state of chronic kidney disease, known as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
- Gained a high level of understanding regarding renal function, kidney diseases and conditions, and dialytic treatments.
- As Nurses are on the front line of patient care, improving the quality of life of every patient. Charge Nurses function as the hemodialysis team leader and provide day-to-day direction and supervision to assigned direct patient care staff.
- I often take on the role of Charge Nurse, I'm responsible for contacting Doctors for orders, coordinating patient assignments, and oftentimes taking assignments myself.
- Supervision of assigned nursing and unit-based personnel to provide a safe, caring environment for patients and staff which fosters professional nursing practice, shared decision-making, inter-professional teamwork, and collaboration with positive patient and staff outcomes
- Recognized changes in each patient's condition and adjusted dialysis treatments on daily basis.
- Communicated with physicians and hospital staff regarding significant information to notify staff of issues and changes.
- Assisted in the care of chronically-ill patients, with a focus on patients with kidney disease, high blood pressure, and asthma.
- Educated patients and families on dialysis side effects.
- Provided each chronic and acute renal patient with acompassionate and dedicated plan of care for treatment.
- Analyzed emergency situations and took prompt action to save lives.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as basic cardiac life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Provided expert critical care response in emergency situations involving illnesses or injuries.
Hemodialysis Charge Nurse
DaVita
Dallas, TX
05.2017 - 11.2020
- Responsible for opening the facility, performing all the daily task required on various equipment to be certain the center was capable of being ran effectively and safely and making sure the water system and clinic is in safe and working conditions according to Davita's protocol
- Performing thorough pre and post assessments and monitoring vitals throughout the dialysis treatment and swiftly treating symptoms as they arise
- Education provided each dialysis treatment in regards to diet, weight management, fluid restrictions, labs ext
- Patient directed to other team members (Dietician/social worker)for further education
- Make rounds with the MD, discuss problems, issues and other medical concerns with regards to the patient
- Assist my technicians and LPN's throughout the shift to make sure the day runs smoothly
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Supervised and managed daily scheduling, tasking and administration.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes and treatment implementations.
- Implemented quality patient care techniques to align with safety, health and organizational regulations.
- Administered medications and treatments to patients as ordered by physician, maintaining accountability for accurate narcotic count at end of each shift.
- Collaborated with various healthcare professionals to determine specific and individualized care plan based on goals and long-term health.
- Documented information in patients' electronic medical record, relaying information to clinicians and care providers to facilitate continuity of care.
- Documented medications administered, treatments and patient procedures performed in appropriate records according to privacy requirements.
- Interacted smoothly with patients and loved ones, updated on care plans and advocated for needs.
Registered Nurse
USRC US RENAL CARE
Fort Worth, TX
01.2016 - 02.2017
- Responsible for opening and closing the facility and making sure the water system and clinic is in safe and working conditions according to USRC protocol
- Performing thorough pre and post assessments and monitoring vitals throughout the dialysis treatment and swiftly treating symptoms as they arise
- Education provided each dialysis treatment in regards to diet, weight management, fluid restrictions, labs ext
- Patient directed to other team members (Dietician/social worker)for further education
- Make rounds with the MD, discuss problems, issues and other medical concerns with regards to the patient
- Assist my technicians and LPN's throughout the shift to make sure the day runs smoothly
- Telemetry/Step-Down Unit
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
Staff Nurse
MACNEAL HOSPITAL
Berwyn, IL
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Manage telemetry primarily focusing upon cardiac patient care
- Conduct diagnostic testing and perform cardiac and respiratory functioning assessments with telemetry monitoring
- Interpret EKGs for patients with myocardial infarctions, chest pain, congestive heart failure, pulmonary emboli and other heart conditions
- Document patient vital statistics, administer medications and perform general checkups as part of daily rounds
- Monitor and discontinue chest tubes and various drainage devices along with pain pump and pacer wires; accurately monitor temporary pacing, epidural and PCA pumps; and closely observe effectiveness of IV drip cardiac medications
- Educate patients and families regarding patient rights, stages of disease, medications, treatment plans, procedures and ongoing wellness
- Ensure all patient data is efficiently and concisely entered into the EMR
- Key Accomplishments:
- Successfully collaborated with surgeons, cardiologists, and interns to achieve optimum patient care
- Provided acute and close monitoring of pre- and postoperative open-heart patients for acute and chronic disease arrhythmias, MI screening, anticoagulation therapy, cardiac and peripheral diagnostic procedures, tilt table, and cardioversion
- Prepared patients for TEE, echocardiogram and stress testing.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring and specimen collection.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care and discharge instructions.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic and cognitive status of patients.
- Identified patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with patients and families.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Managed elements of patient care from admission to discharge or transfer to other units.
- Gathered patient health data through interviews and observation, documenting data in electronic records.
- Identified learning needs of patients and families and responded with advocacy and health education.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Ordered, interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient condition.
Per
MEDICAL STAFFING NETWORK
Chicago, IL
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Delivered nursing care, medical treatment, monitoring and documentation in various community and teaching hospitals in the Chicago city limits
- Served on Rapid Response Teams (RRT) and actively participated in emergency codes
- Developed and implemented individual treatment plans for patients with a broad range of medical health issues
- Ensured that doctors' orders were effectively implemented, including testing, medical procedures, consultations and stat orders., Delivered nursing care, medical treatment, monitoring and documentation in various community and teaching hospitals in the Chicago city limits
- Managed assessments, care plan development, medication administration, dressing changes, post- surgical interventions, admissions and discharges
- Coordinated with physicians and nursing staff to ensure plan of care aligned with patient needs
- Monitored vital signs, critical signs and symptoms, and patients' reactions to medication or treatment
- Collaborated with family members in implementation of total healthcare regime and execution of medical regimen authorized or prescribed by licensed providers.
Staff Nurse
PROGRESSIVE NURSING
Chicago, IL
01.2010 - 01.2013
Night Shift Charge Nurse/preceptor
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY/GOTTLIEB MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Melrose Park, IL
01.2001 - 01.2011
- Delivered evidence-based nursing interventions and treatment of health/illness states, disease management, wound care, health promotion, and prevention of illness and risk behaviors
- Created environments through mentoring and system changes that empowered nurses to develop caring, evidence-based practices to alleviate patient distress, facilitate ethical decision-making, and respond to diversity
- Delegated nursing assignments, prepared schedules, oversaw, assigned, and facilitated ED admissions and discharges, and closely monitored telemetry patients and or patients that were in the locked detox unit
- Manage patient care, organizational processes, and systems to dramatically improve outcomes at the program level
- Utilize professional standards of care and practices to effectively evaluate programs and service activities
- Motivate and lead nursing staff
- Apply knowledge and experience to answer staff and patient questions
- Key Accomplishments:
- Collaborated with a diverse team of professionals to deliver outstanding patient care, focused on providing innovative opportunities for improving treatment processes and procedures
- Maintained balance between administrative tasks and clinical care, directing other nurses on patient care and providing guidance and advice
- Maximized nursing staff efficiency and ensured optimal patient care by facilitating and coaching new nurses and by developing patient education programs.
- Built rapport with patients and family members to deliver exceptional care.
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes and treatment implementations.
- Identified unit areas of inadequacy and adjusted procedures to close gaps and improve policies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Performed patient assessments and adjusted care plans accordingly.
- Accurately documented treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Administered different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN12.2022
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN12.2021
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
William Rainey Harper College
06.2000
Skills
- CCU
- Chronic outpatient Hemodialysis
- Crisis Management
- BLS/ACLS
- Nursing Assessment
- Planning/Evaluation
- Telemetry
- Quality Care Improvement
- Health Promotion /Maintenance
- Post Cardiac Procedure Care
- Acute Hemodialysis
- Charge RN
- IV Drug Therapy/Infusions
- Critical and Intermediate Care
- Stroke Care
- HIPAA
- JCAHO Compliance
- Patient/Family Education
- Medical Procedure Preparation
- Heart Failure
- EMR Systems
- Chronic Renal Disease Management
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Accurate Documentation
- IV Administration
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- High Blood Pressure Management
Certification
- Registered Nurse - 2000- present (22 years)
Timeline
Acute Dialysis Registered Nurse Charge RN
BUMC
05.2017 - Current
Hemodialysis Charge Nurse
DaVita
05.2017 - 11.2020
Registered Nurse
USRC US RENAL CARE
01.2016 - 02.2017
Staff Nurse
MACNEAL HOSPITAL
01.2012 - 01.2015
Per
MEDICAL STAFFING NETWORK
01.2011 - 01.2013
Staff Nurse
PROGRESSIVE NURSING
01.2010 - 01.2013
Night Shift Charge Nurse/preceptor
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY/GOTTLIEB MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
01.2001 - 01.2011
Master of Science - Nursing
Capella University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Capella University
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
William Rainey Harper College
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