Gwendolyn Smith
Riverview,FL
Summary
Hardworking nursing professional bringing 30+ years of experience delivering exceptional care to emergency room, postoperative, and critical care patients. Knowledgeable about unit requirements and skilled at maximizing patient comfort and safety while meeting strict cost control standards. Well-organized and forward-thinking in managing patient needs.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, ER
Opelousas General Hospital
09.2021 - 07.2022
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
- Responded to and documented sudden condition changes in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms.
- Educated patients and families about COVID-19 related illnesses, recommended protective measures and treatments.
- Complied with infectious disease measures to reduce spread of COVID-19 between patients, families and medical personnel.
- Maintained confidentiality regarding test results and other protected patient information.
Registered Nurse
BayCare Health System - St. Anthony's Hospital
02.2021 - Current
- Employed in Mobile Pool Hospital and Outpatient Clinic Settings in EMERGENCY ROOM, PACU, and ICU
- 21yrs ER, 7yrs PACU, IR, and Endoscopy
- Administered different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
- Educated patients and answered questions about health condition, prognosis and treatment.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Answered codes quickly and orchestrated efficient, skilled medical care.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care and discharge instructions.
- Kept optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage and other areas to meet typical patient loads.
Registered Nurse
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
11.2020 - 08.2021
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Evaluated patient pain, nausea, difficulty breathing and fear and agitation in recovery room and employed various nursing interventions to manage vulnerabilities.
- Monitored levels of consciousness to verify sedation wore off properly and patient regained consciousness.
- Assessed patient incision site, monitored body temperature and tracked other indicators of stability or complications.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Educated patients and answered questions about health condition, prognosis and treatment.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Educated patients, family members and caregivers on patient care discharge instructions.
Registered Nurse
ADVENTHEALTH TAMPA
01.2017 - 09.2020
- Preoperative and Postoperative care of outpatients and inpatients Verifying surgical consents, history and physicals, laboratory results, medical imaging, cardiovascular tests, and medical clearance Pre Admissions Testing Endoscopy Preop/PACU Interventional Radiology Moderate Sedation charting and monitoring Blood draw Obtaining intravascular access, Preparation and Assistance with Nerve Blocks
- EMERGENCY ROOM
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds, thoracic trauma, myocardial infarctions, cerebrovascular accidents, and respiratory arrest/distress.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures
- Implemented medication and IV access, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
REGISTERED NURSE
SAINT THOMAS MIDTOWN
06.1991 - 09.2016
- Completion of critical care course Participation on CODE team Orienting and precepting nurses and student nurses Management of patient care, patient assignment, liaison between doctors and nurses, arranging consults Assisting in Endotracheal tube insertion Management of ventilated patients Tracheotomy and ostomy care Assisting with insertion and management of chest tubes Performing and interpreting Electrocardiograms Treatment of arrhythmias and Myocardial infarctions Preparing patients for cardiac cath lab Performing NIHSS Intracranial pressure monitoring Moderate sedation monitoring and preparation Administering cardiac and blood pressure medications and drips Performing venipuncture for labs IV insertion Assisting with orthopedic procedures Care of pediatric pts Extensive patient care in CCU, MICU, SICU, NSICU, and ER Manual and overhead irrigation of Foley catheters.
- 16yrs ER experience managing 150-200 patients daily
Registered Nurse
Missouri University Hospital
08.2022 - 07.2023
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners and verifying interventions met treatment goals.
Education
BACHELORS OF NURSING - Nursing
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Knoxville, TN05.1991
Skills
- Patient Condition and Vital Sign Monitoring
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Preventive Healthcare Education
- Accurate Documentation
- Medical Procedure Preparation and Assistance
- Medication Administration
- Patient Care Assessment
- IV access, care and management central and arterial lines
- Care and Management of catheters, chest tubes, drains and shunts
- IV Drug Therapy Management with Conscious/Moderate Sedation
- Patient Education and Discharge
Certification
- PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- ACLS- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- BLS- Basic Life Support
- TNCC
- Completion of Critical Care Course
- NIHSS
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Missouri University Hospital
08.2022 - 07.2023
Registered Nurse, ER
Opelousas General Hospital
09.2021 - 07.2022
Registered Nurse
BayCare Health System - St. Anthony's Hospital
02.2021 - Current
Registered Nurse
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
11.2020 - 08.2021
Registered Nurse
ADVENTHEALTH TAMPA
01.2017 - 09.2020
REGISTERED NURSE
SAINT THOMAS MIDTOWN
06.1991 - 09.2016
BACHELORS OF NURSING - Nursing
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
- PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- ACLS- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- BLS- Basic Life Support
- TNCC
- Completion of Critical Care Course
- NIHSS
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