Dorothy Henry
Lancaster,CA
Summary
Proven excellence in critical care nursing at Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Medical Center, where I enhanced patient outcomes through expert application of advanced life support and compassionate care. Leveraged hemodynamics monitoring and emotional support skills to increase family involvement and satisfaction. Mentored new staff, contributing to a supportive culture and efficient team performance. Knowledgeable and proactive ICU Registered Nurse with proven skills in coordinating and implementing treatment plans. Handles needs of patients with common presentations and complex cases, including responding expertly to diverse emergencies. Calm and insightful during stressful situations. Expert RN highly trained in intensive care procedures and patient treatments. Competent in ventilator support, wound care and assisted feeding. Equipped to handle needs of critically ill patients and skilled in training junior staff in care standards and safety protocols. Dynamic Critical Care Registered Nurse with 30+ years of experience. Adept at collaborating with interdisciplinary medical teams. Dedicated to delivering best-in-class patient care and individualized plans for families and patients. Dedicated Critical Care Registered Nurse with 30+ years of direct patient care experience. Adept at doctor communication and patient education with extensive knowledge of critical care required treatments and planning long-term for patients. Successful at advocating patient needs and quick diagnoses. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Medical Center
4867 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027
11.1989 - 08.2022
- Handled ventilator support, feeding tubes and central lines.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures, ensuring accurate treatment administration and timely patient recovery. Skilled in Procedural Sedation as required during bedside procedures. Assure that Physician is qualified to do Procedural Sedation at bedside.
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients. This in more in depth and include lab draw, and interpretation and reporting abnormal results to Physician. Knowing resources available such as Anesthesist, Respiratory Therapists, KP Formulary, Pharmacy and many other resources available to the RN to assist in the procedure safely, with positive outcome
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians following the signs required in administering medication safely. Patient and family are in inclusive in the procedure. Other team members are aware not to disturb RN during medications administration.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing individualized care plans for critically ill patients. Following Disease Bundles and Care Paths to assure patient is on the right rode to care and recovery.
- Managed ventilator settings according to physician orders, significantly reducing instances of respiratory distress among critically ill patients. Optomizing a positive outcome by monitoring patients on ventilator. Drawing and reviewing results of ABG, and reporting abnormal results to physician. Additionally, before suctioning assure 100% oxygenation, also after as needed. Assure respiratory infection prevention by following Ventilator Bundle, Trach care as needed, and avoid tracheal injury by not deep suctioning on patients with Trach, unless otherwise ordered.
- Increased family involvement in patient care by providing timely updates on their loved one''s progress and addressing any concerns or questions they may have had. Assure family that their presence in valuable, and that the information they provide is necessary to the comfort and recovery pf their loved one.
- Identified patients' current needs through careful observation, vitals monitoring and discussions with loved ones or patients. Additionally paying close attention to the report given at start of shift, and any other information received throughout the day that is relevant to the patient care. Assure any abnormal findings is alerted to physician and carry out any new orders.
- Facilitated smooth patient transitions from the ICU to other units by providing detailed reports and recommendations for ongoing care. Receiving patient directly from the OR to the Critical Care area, stabilizing, and as patient has improved, further transfer to Step-Down Unit for Intermediary Recovery the following day.
- Enhanced ICU team efficiency by providing continuous education on best nursing practices and protocols. Following Nursing Standards of Practice and the Hospital Protocols for patient care. Having Team rounding with all disciplines, and full reporting on the patient at that time, and following plan of care recommended from all disciplines, ensuring orders has been placed.
- Streamlined workflow by efficiently prioritizing tasks during high-stress situations, leading to better overall performance of the ICU team. The RN as the Primary Care giver, sets priority of the care patient will receive following physician's orders and immediate needs of the patient to assure stability and recovery.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to establish optimal care plans, resulting in improved patient satisfaction.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to remain current on best practices and advancements within the field of critical care nursing. As required by California Board of Registered Nurses assuring the CEUs of 30 units has been met every two years. But for purposes of self education, and increased knowledge to improve the care being brought to the patient and family.
- Mentored new nursing staff, facilitating smooth integration into the ICU unit and promoting a supportive workplace culture. Preceptorship has been an experience that was inclusive in my years in Critical Care.
- Worked with physicians and nursing staff to develop treatment protocols addressing patients' current symptom presentation as well as underlying conditions.
- Administered medications accurately and effectively, preventing adverse reactions through careful monitoring of drug interactions.
- Effectively managed stressors associated with working in an intensive care setting while maintaining composure under pressure.
- Cared for wounds such as surgical sites and pressure sores to prevent infection and promote healing.
- Fostered caring, compassionate and respectful care environment by treating every patient with professionalism.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of implemented nursing interventions, adjusting care plans as needed to ensure continuous improvement in patient outcomes.
- Promoted a safe environment by enforcing infection control policies and maintaining a clean, organized workspace.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive patient information in accordance with HIPAA regulations while fostering trust between medical staff and patients'' families.
- Supported needs of medically complex patients with skilled nursing care.
- Implemented identified treatment plans for patients to maintain stable conditions and achieve reasonable improvements.
- Served as an effective liaison between patients, families, and healthcare professionals to ensure clear communication of relevant information.
- Documented and carried out directives of primary intensivists.
- Contributed to the development of quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient safety measures within the ICU setting.
- Managed patient flow effectively through timely placements upon admission as well as coordinating smooth transfers and discharges.
- Delegated work to nursing support staff and monitored performance to protect patients and maintain optimal care standards.
- Monitored patients' respiratory status and ventilator operation and made adjustments to promote stabilization.
- Delivered age-appropriate medical care for adult, adolescent, and geriatric ICU patients.
- Observed patients' vital signs and administered physician-prescribed medications and treatments.
- Recorded patients' medical status and treatment details in electronic charts to accurately document medical care.
- Delivered outstanding patient care in Cardiac Surgery Unit critical care units.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Provided targeted care and treatment to Cardiac Surgical patients.
- Guided patients, caregivers, and family members on plans of treatment and helpful resources available locally to support care.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
Pasadena, CA06.2014
Skills
- Hemodynamics monitoring
- ECG
- Intravenous therapy
- Neurological monitoring
- Compassionate Care
- Telemetry monitoring
- Advanced Life Support
- Respiratory maintenance
- Endotracheal intubation
- Metabolic function monitoring
- Ethical Practice
- Organ donor procedures
- Therapy management
- Renal function management
- End of life care
- Clinical judgment
- Quality Improvement
- Resource Utilization
- Family Support
- Cardiac monitors
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Problem-Solving
- Patient Monitoring
- Emergency Interventions
- Patient Assessment
- Patient Advocacy
- Honest and Dependable
- Adaptable and Flexible
- Healthcare Team Collaboration
- Pain Management
- Specimen Collection
- Task and Work Prioritization
- Medication Administration
- Vitals monitoring
- Reliable and Responsible
- Blood Transfusion Administration
- Emotional Support
- Fluid Intake and Output Monitoring
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
- Documentation And Reporting
- HIPAA Education
- Decision-Making
- Pulmonary Assessments
- IV setup
- Shock Symptom Identification
- Quality Assurance
- Patient Coping Mechanisms
- Staff Coordination
- Diagnostic Procedures
- Medical Histories and Assessments
- Electronic Charting
- Relationship Building
- Condition Assessment
- Procedure Support
- Medical Equipment Setup
- Heartsaver First Aid (First Aid)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Sanitation
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Staff Educational Programming
- Analytical Thinking
- Family advocacy
- Trauma Nursing Core Course
- Records Updating
- Medical Device Monitoring
- Nursing Staff Supervision
- Needs Assessment
- Issue Assessment and Monitoring
- Nutrition and Nourishment Issues
- Point of care testing
- Complex Information Interpretation
- Intervention Recommendations
- Patient Check-Ins
- Evaluations
- Nursing Protocol Development
- Resource Monitoring
- Endotracheal Intubations
- After-Care Planning
- Community Programming
- Proper Medical Equipment Storage
- CRRT (Chronic Renal Replacement Therapy)
- IABP (Intra Aortic Balloon Pump
- Sepsis Recognition
- Stroke
Certification
- PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- CRRT Training
- IABP
- Stroke
- ACLS
- BLS
- AED
- SEPSIS
- Dialysis
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Medical Center
11.1989 - 08.2022
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix