Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Nightingale Award
Timeline
Generic

Gretchen Hicks

Mansfield

Summary

Compassionate Outpatient Surgery Registered Nurse with a proven track record at Medical City Arlington, excelling in preoperative and postoperative care. Skilled in IV insertion and discharge planning, I enhance patient satisfaction through effective communication and education, fostering strong relationships that promote successful recoveries. Adept at managing diverse patient needs with a focus on quality care.

Experienced healthcare professional with strong background in outpatient surgery. Skilled in patient care, surgical preparation, and postoperative management. Focused on team collaboration and delivering results, adapting seamlessly to changing needs. Known for reliability, empathy, and clinical expertise.

Overview

42
42
years of professional experience

Work History

Outpatient Surgery Registered Nurse

Medical City Arlington
08.1997 - Current
  • Educated patients on post-surgical self-care techniques to facilitate successful recoveries at home without complications.
  • Assisted in various outpatient surgical procedures, demonstrating versatility and adaptability within the role.
  • Provided compassionate preoperative care by addressing patient concerns and thoroughly explaining each step of the surgical process.
  • Improved overall patient satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality care and fostering strong relationships with patients and their families.
  • Provided one-on-one education to patients on pain management techniques, promoting comfort and reducing the need for excessive medication use postoperatively.
  • Demonstrated excellent time management skills while coordinating multiple responsibilities including admissions, discharges, and ongoing patient care.
  • Reduced recovery times for patients by providing efficient post-operative care and timely discharge instructions.
  • Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
  • Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
  • Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
  • Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
  • Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
  • Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
  • Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.

Registered Nurse

Northeast Community Hospital
05.1983 - 05.1997
  • Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
  • 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.
  • Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
  • Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
  • 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.
  • Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
  • Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions. Preop instructions and Postoperative discharge instructions.
  • Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
  • Prevented the spread of infections
  • Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
  • Administered heart and blood pressure medication to cardiac patients as prescribed by physicians.
  • Decreased patient complications through diligent monitoring of vital signs, lab results, and other telemetry data.
  • Facilitated seamless transitions of care from ICU to telemetry unit by coordinating necessary equipment, resources, and personnel.

Education

Associate of Science - Nursing

Canton ATC
Canton, NY
05-1981

Skills

  • Vital signs monitoring
  • HIPAA compliance
  • Fluid management
  • Airway management
  • IV insertion
  • Specimen collection
  • Preoperative care
  • Postoperative care
  • Discharge planning and Teaching
  • Insertion of Foley Catheters

Nightingale Award

I have received many Patient Satisfaction awards throughout my nursing career. I was awarded The Nightingale Award. Within my hospital, the VP of patient care experience and the CEO requested me to educate new nurses and current nurses how to communicate with patients. My best assets are my communication skills and educating patients and families providing them the confidence to manage their post op care. A tool I use and have found very effective is having the patients family (care giver) video tape me and if they are discharged with a drain, foley, dressing care etc. the use of a video ensures they can visualize it within their home recalling how to. I always provide verbal and written instructions and with different post op surgeries I have drawn images to help the patient understand. IE: Gallbladder and how the digestive system works without it. The feedback I have received has been excellent. 

Timeline

Outpatient Surgery Registered Nurse

Medical City Arlington
08.1997 - Current

Registered Nurse

Northeast Community Hospital
05.1983 - 05.1997

Associate of Science - Nursing

Canton ATC

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