Ellen DeMeulenaere
Iowa City,IA
Summary
Over the last 40 years I have had a multitude of experiences and believe I could be a great asset to your team. I love completing rapid assessments of patients and finding their immediate needs and the order that they need to be
addressed. Triaging and rapid assessment's are one of my best qualities.
Overview
46
46
years of professional experience
Work History
RN Floor Nurse
Oaknoll Retirement Residence
08.2023 - Current
- Modified patient health treatment plans by observing patient conditions and responses.
- Maintained accurate records of residents' healthcare treatments and responses.
- Contributed to reduced hospital readmissions by conducting thorough assessments and appropriately addressing patients'' concerns during their stay.
- Managed medication cart and dispensed pills, oral therapies and dressing changes as needed.
- Assessed Resident's after Falls or injuries on unit. Communicated with families and Physicians regarding need to be sent to acute care, office appointments or Emergency Room.
- Followed Dr orders for cares and took off Dr orders for medications and added to Med MAR.
- Worked in the Assisted Living side of the building which had some mild Dementia resident's as well as more advanced resident's.
- Gave imput to the Director of Nursing when resident's needed a higher level of care in the Health Center, the Loft, or the SSU side.
- Communicated with the Families and Physican's when resident's needed new orders such as increased confusion due to possible Urinary Tract Infections.
- Responsible for after day hours in Independent Living sick or fall checks. Oaknoll has around 6 buildings on the Benton St address and a nurse would get a call from an Independent resident who needed a nurse to triage their needs. URI, chest pains, Shortness of Breath, falls with lacerations,possible stroke symptoms, and the Assisted Living Nurse went to their room to assess them and again see what their needs were. If they didn't want to
- go to the hospital, it was their choice but we discussed what the medical recommendation was.
RN, Director of Nursing
Keystone in North Liberty
08.2020 - 05.2023
- Developed strong relationships with patients'' families, providing emotional support while addressing concerns or questions about care plans.
- 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.
- Assessed all incoming residents for appriateness in level of care
- area. Assisted Living and Dementia Units. Dementia was a locked unit.
- Families were hesitant to put their family members there with the stigma of "Dementia" or "Alzheimers". If they wandered, or had low mini-mental status, that was the safest unit for them. The cost was quite a bit higher also.
- Supervised the Medication Aides passing meds.
- Reviewed skills with the med aides yearly since, at that time, they were not
- CNA's
- We were lucky enough to have a staffing coordinator so nurses could provide resident care.
- On appropriate admissions I did admit assessment with all ordered noted and meds placed in MAR. Later 30 day, 90 day, yearly, and any change of condition assessments had to be done according to state guidelines.
RN Floor Nurse
Mecca Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation
05.1999 - 05.2021
- Managed medication cart and dispensed pills, oral therapies and intramuscular injections to patients on [Type] floor.
- Helped patients feel comfortable by adjusting positions and engaging in casual conversation.
- Delivered treatments and direct nursing care according to physicians' orders in [Type] environment.
- Increased efficiency in the workplace by streamlining processes and maintaining accurate records of patients'' medical histories.
- Examined and treated patients' injuries and pressure wounds to promote healing.
- Admitted alcoholics for detox and checked Vital Signs for need of Librium to prevent seizures
- Communicated with Physician about VS, meds, ande need to transfer alcoholics and or other4 resident's into ER if they would agree to go.
- Cared for Methanphetamine, Opiate, Benzodiazopine, etc abusers and observed for withdrawal in detox.
- Communicated with Dr about orders needed for those resident's.
- Taught classes on STD's and various drugs and alcohol abuse.
- Gave TB tine tests every Tues and Thurs for outpt residents.
Legacy Assisted Living
Legacy Pointe
03.2003 - 03.2004
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new sit
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Exactly the same job as at Keystone in North Liberty at Keystone,
RN Floor Nurse
Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
08.1979 - 03.2003
- Supported smooth transitions of care by effectively collaborating with other nurses during shift handovers, ensuring seamless continuity of patient care.
- Administered basic patient care and treatments by dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas and performing catheterizations.
- Established compassionate environment by providing psychological, emotional and spiritual support to patients and families.
- Promoted a safe environment by consistently adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
- Improved patient care by providing compassionate and comprehensive nursing support on a busy hospital floor.
- I worked all over this hospital as my first job after graduation. My favorite
- was working in the Emergency Room
- We were able to assess all kinds of patient's with all kinds of needs. It was fast-paced and demanding.
- I worked as charge nurse on all three shifts as many of us were trained to do. We dealt with sick infants, teens, and adults. We were trained to resuscitate infants, teens, and adults in the absence of a physician. So we were certified in CPR, AED, Defibrillators, emergency meds, Pals which was to resuscitate children.
- I assisted with patient's who were suspected of being sexual assaulted.
Education
Pre-Nursing
Iowa State University
Ames, IANo Degree - Classes Towards BSN
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA03-1981
3 Yr Diploma in Nursing - Diploma RN
Evangelical School of Nursing
Marshalltown, IA05-1979
Skills
- Clinical judgment
- Vital signs monitoring
- Compassionate care
- HIPAA compliance
- Healthcare regulations
- Discharge planning
- Physical assessments
- Teamwork
- Dementia care
- CPR certification
- ACLS, PALS, First Aide, AED, Telephone Triage
Timeline
RN Floor Nurse
Oaknoll Retirement Residence
08.2023 - Current
RN, Director of Nursing
Keystone in North Liberty
08.2020 - 05.2023
Legacy Assisted Living
Legacy Pointe
03.2003 - 03.2004
RN Floor Nurse
Mecca Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation
05.1999 - 05.2021
RN Floor Nurse
Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
08.1979 - 03.2003
Pre-Nursing
Iowa State University
No Degree - Classes Towards BSN
University of Iowa
3 Yr Diploma in Nursing - Diploma RN
Evangelical School of Nursing
English
I took minimal Spanish in High School . I know very little Spanish. I speak fluent English.
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