Patient-oriented Nurse with Number years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments. Offering expertise with Area of expertise specialty. 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. 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.
Hi, I’m
Gail Alston
Trenton,New Jersey
Summary
Overview
43
years of professional experience
Work History
Hackensac Meridian Carrier Clinic
Registered Nurse
08.2008 - Current
Job overview
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- 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.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Provided didactic and clinical instructions to orient new nurses and potential student nurses to achieve training outcomes.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
Charge Nurse
06.2003 - 08.2007
Job overview
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes, and treatment implementations.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Cared for patients' wounds and changed dressings.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Administered medications and treatments to patients as ordered by physician, maintaining accountability for accurate narcotic count at end of each shift.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Developed and maintained close relationships with patients and families to facilitate smooth communications, provide encouragement and build trust.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Developed and implemented specific nursing care plans to cater to individual patient needs.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Supervised patient admissions and discharges from hospital to home care, rehabilitative facility, or self-care.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Conducted daily shift briefs to inform staff of changes in patient care assignments.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Supervised and managed daily scheduling, tasking, and administration.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- Implemented quality patient care techniques to align with safety, health, and organizational regulations.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
License Practical Nurse
08.1980 - 12.2000
Job overview
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
Education
Mercer County Community CollegeTrenton, NJ
Associates from Nursing
06.2003
University Overview
Capital Health School of Nursing Brunswick Ave, Trenton New Jersey
Associates Degree In Nursing from Nursing Curriculum
06.2003
University Overview
- Continuing education in Subject
Mercer County Vocational School of Nursing Hamiltontwsp, New Jersey
from License Practical Nursing
06.1978
University Overview
Ewing High SchoolParkway Avenue, Ewingtownship, New Jersey
Diploma from Academic
06.1976
University Overview
Skills
- Gastrostomy Tube Care
- Medical Records Management
- Seizure Management
- Addiction Counseling
- Medication Distribution
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Hospice Philosophy Understanding
- Follow-Up Calls
- Life-Sustaining Machines
- Patient Care Planning
- Patient and Family Advocacy
- Patient Care
- Call Triaging
- Direct Patient Care
- Physical Assessment
- Patient Discharging
- Administering Immunizations
- Medical Evaluations
- Foley Catheter Insertion and Removal
- Inpatient and Outpatient Care
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Intakes and Discharges
- Tracheostomy Care
- Feeding Assistance
- Feeding Pumps Understanding
- Chest Pain Management
- Body Mechanics Knowledge
- Medication Administration
- Vision Screening
- Patient Monitoring
- Resource Allocation
- Care Plan Development
- Diabetes and Nutrition Education
- Patient Counseling
- Emergency Procedures
- Family Education
- Pain Management
- Medical Consultation
- Long-Term Care
- Team Coordination
- Wound Care
- Patient Assessments
- Removing Sutures
- Medical Screening
- Mental Health Care
- Insulin Medication Assistance
- Staff Supervision
- Personal Care Needs
- Patient Education
- Evaluation
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Hackensac Meridian Carrier Clinic
08.2008 - Current
Charge Nurse
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
06.2003 - 08.2007
License Practical Nurse
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
08.1980 - 12.2000
Mercer County Community College
Associates from Nursing
Capital Health School of Nursing
Associates Degree In Nursing from Nursing Curriculum
Mercer County Vocational School of Nursing
from License Practical Nursing
Ewing High School
Diploma from Academic
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