Elaine McMullen
St. Petersburg,FL
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service. Hardworking Registered Nurse with success providing individualized patient care. Committed to delivering best-in-class patient care through effective education and counseling. Proven leadership focused on increasing and enhancing patient care and satisfaction. Streamline safety protocols for comprehensive patient care. Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
James A Haley VA Medical Center
06.2007 - Current
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- 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.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Provided support for patients' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acuity patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Atlanta VA Medical Center
01.2004 - 06.2007
- Handled ventilator support, feeding tubes and central lines.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures, ensuring accurate treatment administration and timely patient recovery.
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing individualized care plans for critically ill patients.
- Reduced patient complications by promptly identifying changes in condition and initiating appropriate interventions.
- 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.
- Enhanced ICU team efficiency by providing continuous education on best nursing practices and protocols.
- Streamlined workflow by efficiently prioritizing tasks during high-stress situations, leading to better overall performance of the ICU team.
- 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.
- Worked with physicians and nursing staff to develop treatment protocols addressing patients' current symptom presentation as well as underlying conditions.
- Cared for wounds such as surgical sites and pressure sores to prevent infection and promote healing.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of implemented nursing interventions, adjusting care plans as needed to ensure continuous improvement in patient outcomes.
- Fostered caring, compassionate and respectful care environment by treating every patient with professionalism.
- 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.
- Implemented identified treatment plans for patients to maintain stable conditions and achieve reasonable improvements.
- Monitored patients' respiratory status and ventilator operation and made adjustments to promote stabilization.
- Explained health care issues and ramifications to patients and families to promote informed medical care choices.
- Recorded patients' medical status and treatment details in electronic charts to accurately document medical care.
- Developed and implemented patient care plans based on physicians' instructions and generally accepted nursing practices.
- Conducted patient assessments, recorded vitals, and analyzed records and charts to define care requirements.
- Coordinated with healthcare staff from various disciplines to devise, carry out, and manage personalized care plans to benefit patient health and recovery.
- Administered medications and treatments as ordered by physician.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Bay Pines VA Medical Center
09.2003 - 01.2004
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care, ensuring seamless communication between healthcare providers.
- Consistently maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Skillfully performed venipuncture, IV insertion, and catheterizations, ensuring proper technique and adherence to infection control standards.
- Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families through active listening, empathy, and clear communication during challenging situations.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction with compassionate, personalized nursing care tailored to each individual's needs.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens, and pain management techniques.
- Managed complex wound care, including dressing changes, monitoring for signs of infection, and collaborating with wound care specialists as needed.
- Demonstrated flexibility in managing multiple priorities concurrently during high-stress periods while maintaining a calm demeanor.
- Managed caseload of up to 10 patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, and wound care.
- Implemented fall prevention strategies to minimize patient injuries and promote a safe environment within the medical-surgical unit.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Monitored patient vital signs to perform thorough condition assessments.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of medical-surgical nursing.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
- Managed patients' pain by implementing pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management interventions.
- Provided education on disease management strategies to empower patients in self-care activities throughout their recovery journey.
- Effectively managed acute pain symptoms by administering medications as prescribed while monitoring for potential side effects.
- Utilized CPRS and BCMA to document data related to patient care such as medications, interventions and patient responses.
- Facilitated timely discharges by proactively addressing potential barriers to transition such as insurance coverage or transportation issues.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by implementing evidence-based discharge planning and coordinating follow-up appointments.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL05.2003
Skills
- Medication and IV administration
- Patient Assessments
- Documentation and Charting
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Patient education and counseling
- Patient and family advocacy
- Wound Care
- Compassion and Empathy
- Family Education
- Nursing staff leadership
- Precepting
- EMR / EHR
- Data Collection
- Emotional Intelligence
- Palliative care awareness
- PICIS use
Accomplishments
Participated in ELNEC Training as learner and presenter
Participated as trainer for Goals of Care Conversations of Nurses, Social Workers and Chaplains
GEMS committee member from 2003-current
Wound Care Unit Champion 2003-current
Charge Nurse Role from 2004-current
Participated in Simulation: Out of Operating Room Airway Management 2.0 Class
Participated in HRO training video for QM regarding escalating concerns up the chain of command.
Daisy Award recipient
Team Daisy Award recipient
Performed Hospital Wide training on PEG tubes and G-J tubes. maintenance and trouble shooting.
Performed ICU-wide training on BCMA compliance and completion of IVF's.
Certification
Critical Care Certified (CCRN ) 2009-2021 (lapsed during Covid)
ACLS
BLS
RN license 2003-current
Affiliations
- AACN
- Infusion Nurse Society
- University of Florida College of Nursing Alumni Association
Timeline
Registered Nurse
James A Haley VA Medical Center
06.2007 - Current
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Atlanta VA Medical Center
01.2004 - 06.2007
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Bay Pines VA Medical Center
09.2003 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Florida
Critical Care Certified (CCRN ) 2009-2021 (lapsed during Covid)
ACLS
BLS
RN license 2003-current
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