Gwendolyn Spitchley

Assessed team members' workloads and pitched in to help in areas where need was most evident.

• Coordinated nursing care to be carried out according to facility guidelines and regulations.
• Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
• Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and other conditions.
• Educated patients and families on illnesses, medications and treatment plans.
• Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
• 42 bed Med-Surg Unit, caring for 6-7 patients.

Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and other conditions.

• Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
• Minimized hospital stays with recovery-centered approaches, reducing average in-patient stay length.
• Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
• COVID UNIT
• Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities.
• 28 Bed Med-Surg Unit, caring for 7-8 patients.

Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches

• Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions
• Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing
• Performed triage on all incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses
• Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, including treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care
• Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options
• Administered different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
• Provided care to 30-46 patients per day in a clinic setting.

• Responsible for understanding triage to prioritize injuries based on medical need
• Ability to make quick and accurate assessments about incoming patients, including both physical and mental health conditions.
  
• Comply and conform with protocols, health care and procedures to maintain proficiency and quality.
  
• On point to provide trauma care including wound, accidents, cardiac or respiratory arrest, stroke, arrhythmias, and preparing patients for diagnostic testing or surgery.
  
• Monitor, record, and communicate patient condition utilizing computerized documentation systems

• Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, treatments, medications, discharge instructions, and follow-up care
• Diagnosed and treated patients with chronic and acute health problems such as MI, arrhythmias, asthma, COPD and pneumonia
• Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
• Delivered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections, monitoring responses to address new concerns.

• Telemetry Unit-Assisted with special monitoring for patients recently released from intensive care who are often at high risk for complications, carefully reviewing equipment and data to detect potential symptoms of distress or danger.
• Med-Surgical- Often referred to as backbone of a healthcare institution. Assessed, planned, and evaluated nursing care needs of patients, including administering prescribed medications, applying dressings, monitoring vital signs, intravenous, cardiac monitors, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Pediatrics- Identified systems, analyzed situations to anticipate and detect emergency and differentiate between normal and abnormal physical findings. Appropriately provided support, sympathy, and guidance as required.
• Cardio Vascular Unit- Assisted with treatment of conditions that affected pulmonary or circulatory systems. Worked with patients and their families focusing on preventative medicine and patient education and assisted with diagnostics such as electrocardiograms and other specialized tests
• Trauma/ER-14 Bed ER- Utilizing communication, leadership skills, efficient attention to detail, handled acute problems, assisted doctors with intubating patients, suturing, lumbar punctures, pelvic exams, and prepared patients for emergency operations.
• GI Lab-Assisted doctors with colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures, and collected tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing

Float Pool Registered Nurse - Med-Surgical

• Promoted vast set of skills and knowledge in all areas of health, assessment, organization, technical, and prioritization. Acted as a patient advocate supporting patients in the knowledge of what was in their best interest
• Showcased ability to safely care for multiple patients and evaluate their specific nursing care to ensure excellent service.
• Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
• Informed patients and families of effective treatment options and at-home care strategies, enhancing long-term outcomes.

• Achieved high staff morale and retention through effective communication, prompt problem resolution, proactive supervisory practices and facilitating a proactive work environment
• Facilitated on-going assessment of patient/family needs and implementation of interdisciplinary team care plan
• Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations and nursing diagnoses
• Completed all daily living tasks to enhance quality of life of elderly patients
• Ensured safety and well-being of patients
• Worked one year at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, Baton Rouge, LA on telemetry and med-surgical unit
• Worked four months at Valley View Hospital, Fort Mohave, AZ on med-surgical unit.
• Worked two months at Our Lady of the Lourdes Hospital, Lafayette, LA on ICU unit

Med-Surgical

• Consulted and coordinated with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care plans. Well-versed in large variety of health conditions maintaining standards of a professional nurse.
• Provided bedside care for wide variety of medical patients, including pre- and post-surgery patients
• Initiated patient education plan, as prescribed by physician.