Heather Russo, RN, BSN
Guilford,CT
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with 14 years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. 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.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, Pediatric Surgical/SOT Unit
Yale New Haven Hospital
10.2022 - Current
- Care for inpatient surgical pediatric patients including, but not limited to, solid organ transplant, scoliosis repairs, ENT, orthopedic procedures/repairs, urology, gastrointestinal, etc.
- 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.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
Office Registered Nurse
Suffield Family Medicine
04.2008 - Current
- Monitor, record and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs
- Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans
- Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity
- Prepare patients for and assist with examinations or treatments
- Provide or arrange for training or instruction of auxiliary personnel or students
- Weekend on call duties including medication refill requests
- Triage calls to physician for acute illnesses and injuries
- Log all calls within an electronic tracking system
- Manage and process insurance prior authorization requests.
- Tracked, reviewed and monitored diagnostic test results and assisted in management of patient care between visits.
- Reinforced health education, counseling and advice to patients and families and assessed patient educational needs, prioritized patient learning needs, identified barriers to learning and used educational tools to encourage non-adherent patients.
- Completed paperwork and prior authorizations and scheduled appointments for patients.
- Sterilized instruments and equipment and stocked unexpired supplies and medications to prepare patient care areas.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
School Nurse
The Country School, Madison Ct
10.2019 - 10.2022
- Coordinate with families, school personnel and healthcare professionals on behalf of students to advocate for healthcare needs
- Evaluate students with health concerns or injuries to develop a plan of care or provide reference to appropriate healthcare providers
- Provide skilled direct nursing care to students with Type 1 Diabetes, various seizure disorders, allergies and anaphylaxis, asthma, ADD/ADHD among others
- Administers medications to students according to physician orders (oral, injectable, topical)
- Assists in the development of school safety protocols for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases
- Monitor all COVID-19 cases through internal tracking system throughout the school year
- Participate in monthly health and safety meetings to monitor COVID-19 in the school community among faculty, staff and the student body
- Work with a consulting pediatrician to ensure up to date standing orders on campus for protocols, procedures and medication administration
- Assessed student health and identified potential health concerns to provide appropriate care.
- Administered medication to students as prescribed by physicians to provide necessary treatment and manage health conditions.
- Served as liaison between families, school personnel, and other healthcare providers on behalf of students.
- Educated students on various health topics to promote overall health and wellbeing.
- Implemented emergency protocols in medical emergencies to promote safety for students and staff.
- Participated in development of school safety plans to address areas of concern.
- Developed care plans and made referrals as necessary for students with health concerns or injuries.
- Screened for infectious diseases to help prevent spreading within school community.
- Oversaw health services for school of [Number] students and faculty.
- Performed health screening for students and faculty by conducting [Type] and [Type] evaluations.
- Maintained upkeep on defibrillators, blood pressure monitors and first aid kits to keep resources in working condition for emergencies.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising nurse.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
Registered Nurse
The Foote School
09.2016 - 10.2019
- Work with a consulting pediatrician to ensure up to date standing orders on campus for protocols, procedures and medication administration
- Assessed student health and identified potential health concerns to provide appropriate care.
- Administered medication to students as prescribed by physicians to provide necessary treatment and manage health conditions.
- Served as liaison between families, school personnel, and other healthcare providers on behalf of students.
- Educated students on various health topics to promote overall health and wellbeing.
- Implemented emergency protocols in medical emergencies to promote safety for students and staff.
- Participated in development of school safety plans to address areas of concern.
- Developed care plans and made referrals as necessary for students with health concerns or injuries.
- Screened for infectious diseases to help prevent spreading within school community.
- Oversaw health services for school of 500 students and faculty.
- Maintained upkeep on defibrillators, blood pressure monitors and first aid kits to keep resources in working condition for emergencies.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising nurse.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Provided on site influenza vaccinations clinic for all faculty and staff
- Stocked health clinic with necessary supplies and provided first aid treatment bags to all classrooms
- Made sure incident reports were completed in a timely manner when applicable
- Assisted in the organization of field trips local and oversees and ensured proper vaccinations were administered prior to travel
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing -
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY
Hamden, CT05.2019
Associates of Science Nursing -
GOODWIN COLLEGE
East Hartford, CT05.2008
Skills
- BLS and PEARS Certified
- EMR / EHR (EPIC)
- Medication Administration
- Patient Assessment
- Chronic Disease Management
- Vitals Monitoring
- Insulin Medication Assistance
- Medication and IV Administration
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
Certification
- Registered Nurse State of Connecticut
- National Board Certified School Nurse
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certified
- Pears Certified
- First Aid/CPR Certified
References
References available upon request
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Pediatric Surgical/SOT Unit
Yale New Haven Hospital
10.2022 - Current
School Nurse
The Country School, Madison Ct
10.2019 - 10.2022
Registered Nurse
The Foote School
09.2016 - 10.2019
Office Registered Nurse
Suffield Family Medicine
04.2008 - Current
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing -
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY
Associates of Science Nursing -
GOODWIN COLLEGE
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