Heather Johnston
Brandon,MS
Summary
Diligent Registered Nurse with solid background in patient care and team coordination for 18 years. Adept at performing clinical assessments and administering treatments with precision. Demonstrated expertise in patient advocacy and healthcare documentation.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Merit Health River Oaks
05.2023 - Current
- Administered medications and monitored patient vitals to ensure optimal care delivery.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized patient care plans.
- Trained and mentored junior nursing staff, enhancing team efficiency and performance.
- Implemented evidence-based practices that improved patient outcomes and satisfaction scores.
RN Floor Nurse
Batson Children's Hospital
11.2021 - 05.2023
- 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.
- Provided direct patient care, and assisted with determining next course of action.
- Precept student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures and nursing best practices.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care.
RN, Pediatric Emergency Department
Batson Children's Hospital
07.2021 - 11.2021
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds and thoracic trauma.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Orchestrated quality-driven, cost-effective care in high-volume trauma center setting.
RN
Metabolic Medicine Of Mississippi
03.2019 - 07.2019
- Collaborated with physicians to evaluate and treat patients. Including assisting with thyroid ultrasounds and thyroid biopsies.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options focusing on diabetic education and thyroid management.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Effectively prioritized assignments, executing care based on each patient's relative condition and delegating tasks to available personnel deliver safe and efficient care.
- Worked within interdisciplinary health care team to develop, implement and make adjustments to patient care plans, individualizing strategies and methods to improve health and meet recovery goals.
- Verified patients had information necessary for ongoing care, providing guidance on diagnoses, management of medications and prevention methods.
- Vaccinated patients to protect individuals from measles, pneumonia, influenza and other illnesses of concern.
- Identified patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with patients and families.
- Gathered patient health data through interviews and observation, documenting data in electronic records.
- Promoted patient independence by teaching self-care skills.
- Assisted physicians in minor surgeries by keeping instruments sterilized and maintaining inventory.
RN II
University of Mississippi Medical Center-Grant's Ferry
09.2016 - 03.2019
- Performed initial client assessment and analysis to begin research process.
- Works directly with providers and patients, as well as other departments to best coordinate care for patient.
- Researched and updated all required medical records to assist provider with having complete medical history to best care for patient.
- Complete intake of patients, obtaining vital signs, confirming and documenting medication list, documenting current concerns/issues, obtaining and documenting surgical/medical history, obtaining and documenting pertinent family history.
- Quick briefing of patients to providers and assisting with any follow up to visit such as obtaining records, sending patient for lab work or contacting for results of lab or test.
- Managed daily staffing assignments
- Primary vaccine coordinator on hall
- Lead nurse handling day to day functions and concerns of hall acting as liaison between staff physicians and patients.
Registered Nurse
Rankin Children's Group
04.2014 - 10.2016
- Assessed need for, ordered, obtained, and interpreted appropriate lab tests.
- Self-directed with astute judgment skills. High level of personal accountability.
- Effective counseling in health maintenance and disease management.
- Performed lab tests and communicated results.
- Liaised between patients and physicians to ensure patient comprehension of treatment plans.
- Authorized drug refills and provided detailed prescription information to pharmacies.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing.
Licensed Practical Nurse
UMC
01.2008 - 03.2014
- Assessed need for, ordered, obtained, and interpreted appropriate lab tests.
- Self-directed with astute judgment skills. High level of personal accountability.
- Effective counseling in health maintenance and disease management.
- Liaised between patients and physicians to ensure patient comprehension of treatment plans.
- Ensured HIPAA compliance.
- Documented patient information obtained from interviews.
- Performed basic physical assessments of patients.
- Followed infection control procedures.
- Assisted doctors with surgeries and non-invasive procedures.
- Authorized drug refills and provided detailed prescription information to pharmacies.
- Scheduled patient admissions and referrals.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Registered Nursing
Hinds Nursing Allied Health
Jackson, MS2013
LPN - Nursing
Hinds Nursing Allied Health
Jackson, MS2006
Skills
- Patient evaluation/intervention
- Professional bedside manner
- Adept at prioritizing/managing deadlines
- Patient-focused care
- BLS, ACLS, NRP certification
- Venipuncture/blood draw
- Competent in physical assessments
- Seasoned in medical procedures
- Insulin medication assistance
- Ekg performance
- Strong verbal communication
- Team leadership
- Extremely organized and reliable
Certification
Registered Nursing with approximately 16 years of clinical and hospital experience. Valid License with no restrictions and current CPR and PALS certifications. References available upon request.
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Merit Health River Oaks
05.2023 - Current
RN Floor Nurse
Batson Children's Hospital
11.2021 - 05.2023
RN, Pediatric Emergency Department
Batson Children's Hospital
07.2021 - 11.2021
RN
Metabolic Medicine Of Mississippi
03.2019 - 07.2019
RN II
University of Mississippi Medical Center-Grant's Ferry
09.2016 - 03.2019
Registered Nurse
Rankin Children's Group
04.2014 - 10.2016
Licensed Practical Nurse
UMC
01.2008 - 03.2014
Associate of Applied Science - Registered Nursing
Hinds Nursing Allied Health
LPN - Nursing
Hinds Nursing Allied Health
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