Helen Alohan
Tinley Park,IL
Summary
Compassionate registered nurse with both in state and out of state experience in clinical settings providing nursing care to diverse populations with 15 years of international health experience in community primary and tertiary health care development, mobilization, and training. With experience in medical and surgical nursing, labor and delivery, mother and baby and now more focused in caring for Patients with diverse mental health problems and persons with developmental disabilities and with 5 years of mental health nursing experience. Expert registered nurse, excellent critical Safety conscious, Patient focused, diligent and thinking, intelligent prioritizing and multitasking collaborates with physicians, psychiatrists, case skills. Managers. Knowledge of computer software and use of Care for Patients with schizophrenia, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar, Knowledge of principles and processes for dementia and developmental disorders. Providing customer and personal services. Administer psychotropic medication. Educate Knowledge of human behavior and performance. Patient and family members as regards to care Ability to create a positive working environment and follow up. That uplifts the patient’s spirits. Leadership skills, Advanced nursing skills such as physiological, enforcing adherence to safety protocols, psychological assessments. IV therapy and maintaining a calming and productive unit as a psychotropic medication administration. Charge nurse. Exceptional communication skills that encourage patient involvement, promote autonomy, motivate staff and gain colleague co-operation. Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Correctional Nurse 2
Illinois Department of Corrections
03.2019 - Current
- Stabilized prisoners suffering from falls, stab wounds or other injuries prior to hospital transfer
- Treated variety of illnesses affecting offenders in close quarters, including flu, gastrointestinal bugs, strep throat and lice
- Performed mental health evaluations when warranted and recommended patients to therapists
- Created and implemented care plans for prisoners suffering from chronic conditions, including diabetes, arthritis and COPD
- Complied with all security regulations within the prison system and administered care in the safest possible environment
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions
- Oversaw delivery of care for all patients on 10-bed medical-surgical unit, providing direct care to up to 10 patients, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians and unit clerks
- Cared for patients in their cell, supporting fellow nurses in delivering outstanding treatment to patients
- Explained course of care and medications, including side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms
- Administered COVID-19 testing, TB testing Colorectal testing and send results to physician to create focused treatment plans
Registered Nurse
Frankfort Terrace Nursing Home
09.2022 - 11.2024
- Oversaw delivery of care for all residents on a 100-bed residential home, providing direct care to up to 30 residents on a shift, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians and unit clerks.
- Create a positive and supportive environment for our patients, fostering their emotional well-being.
- Conduct psychiatric assessments, evaluations, and diagnosis of mental health disorders with the highest level of clinical expertise.
- Prescribe and manage psychotropic medications as needed, ensuring patient safety and compliance.
Monitor and evaluate the progress of patients through regular follow-up appointments. - Provide crisis intervention and support to patients in distress.
- Provide focused and individualized care to each patient, addressing their unique needs and concerns.
Show empathy and compassion in interactions with individuals experiencing mental health challenges. - Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented all patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches
- Vaccinated patients to protect individuals from measles, pneumonia, influenza and other illnesses of concern
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion
- Create a positive and supportive environment for our patients, fostering their emotional well-being.
Registered Nurse 1
Elizabeth Ludeman Center
01.2017 - 07.2017
- Providing emphatic nursing care with a great deal of patience and compassion for the resident and possessing the ability to interpret and anticipate the needs of the residents who are unable to communicate properly
- Worked as a direct care nurse in providing care for adult patients with physical, mental or behavioral disabilities
- Assisting with feeding and controlling bodily functions
- Observing and recording patient behavior
- Supporting patients and encouraging them to be independently mobile
- Encouraging their independent mobility, educating them on the condition and its medical requirements and assisting the patient with language and communication skills
- Preparing residents for treatment or physical therapy, monitoring progress, and recording vital signs
- Providing care for residents who are dealing with a single type of developmental disability and others who are dealing with a wide range of problems
- Administering medications and treatments
- Ability to detect signs of infection, medication complication, or other problems that could lead to serious complications and risks for the residents
- Assisting residents with feeding and elimination problems in maintaining adequate nutrition and good hygiene in a safe environment
- Consulting with physicians and other healthcare professionals
- Educating patients and their families of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Establishing treatment plans, operating medical equipment
- Performing diagnostic tests
- Supervising licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified mental health technicians (MHTs)
- Treating medical emergencies, such as heart attacks, strokes, injury from falls as well as recovering post-operative patients
Registered Nurse 1
Madden Mental Health Center
10.2014 - 01.2017
- Nurse patient advocate and implemented total patient care as part of a nursing team covering 28 high functioning and acutely ill mentally and partnered with team of Registered Nurses to ensure over all well-being of all patients
- Served as lead clinician for patients with bipolar, depression, anxiety and personality disorders
- Maintained patient privacy and confidential patient information and developed comprehensive treatment plans that focused on accurate diagnosis and behavioral treatment of problems
- Provided behavioral/emotional support and supervision for those with various types of mental illness and instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care
- Up to date with current changes to the Joint Commission and Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS) regulatory standards
- Constantly research evidenced-based best practice resources for improving and providing quality patient care and the environment of care
- Initiate and implement patient's plan of care with the interdisciplinary treatment team with actions that promote participation of patients and families
- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessments, treatments, medications, discharge instructions and follow-up care
- Quickly responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and behavioral issues arose
- Taught clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills and functional living skills
- Consults with psychiatrists about client medication changes, issues with medicine compliance and efficacy of medication
Registered Nurse
Macneal Memorial Hospital
03.2012 - 10.2014
- Worked in the behavioral health department as a charge nurse with excellent leadership skills, enforcing adherence to safety protocols, maintaining a calming and productive unit environment
- Provided excellent health promotion, self-harm prevention, treatment implementation, sustaining the therapeutic environment and psycho education for adult's population
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations, and nursing diagnoses
- Provided full range of in patient primary mental health care for adult, geriatric, chemical dependent and substance abuse patients
- Able to administer psychotropic medication, recognize and treat side effects, skin treatment, follow pain management procedures, documentation of patients' progress, educate patient and family members regarding patient care and able to prioritize nursing tasks while demonstrating superior expertise
- Demonstrate competencies in applying precautions, documents rights and restrictions while implementing restraints in accordance with department's policy and ethical nursing standards
- Lead support groups and teach medication safety and coping skills
- Provide superior and culturally sensitive services to patient's families and staff
- Delegated staff nurse duties
- Achieved departmental goals and objectives by instituting new processes and standards for in-patient care and ensured efficacy of treatments through monitoring of treatment regimens
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care as part of a nursing team covering 10 - 14 high functioning acute mentally ill patients per shift
- Educated patients about their treatments
- Provided treatment within scope of practice as defined by state law
- Served as a liaison between patients and physicians to assist patients in understanding their treatment plans
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care
Registered Nurse / Midwife
Central Hospital Benin city
06.2001 - 08.2007
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations, and nursing diagnoses
- Helped physicians examine and treat patients by assisting with instruments, injections and suture removal
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations, and nursing diagnoses
- Assisted physicians in focus studies about prenatal care and made appropriate interventions by reading and interpreting fetal heart monitors
- Delegated staff nurse duties and trained up to 5 -10 staff nurses to provide top-quality patient care
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented progress of individuals participating in clinical trials
- Provided diagnoses and treated patients with chronic and acute health problems, including MI, arrhythmias, asthma, COPD, pneumonia
- Educated the public regarding community health resources in correctional facilities, community centers and churches about prevention and care and treatment of patients living with immunodeficiency syndrome
- Worked as HIV / AIDS counselor in educating patients preparing for HIV testing, interpretation of results and possible referral of positive cases for treatment and negative results for follow up testing
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ02.2014
Associate of Science - General Nursing
University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Sch. Of Nsg
Nigeria11.1999
Associate of Science - Midwifery
St. Philomena's Catholic School of Midwifery
Nigeria03.1997
Skills
- Behavioral health
- Communication skills
- CPR certified
- Discharge planning
- Emotional support
- Health promotion
- Leadership skills
- Mental health Experience
- Multitasking
- Nursing
- Pain management
- Patient advocate
- Safety
- Supervisory
- Treatment plans
- Plan of care
- Support and education
- Preventative health
Additionalinformation - Licenses
Registered Nurse License, IL
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Frankfort Terrace Nursing Home
09.2022 - 11.2024
Correctional Nurse 2
Illinois Department of Corrections
03.2019 - Current
Registered Nurse 1
Elizabeth Ludeman Center
01.2017 - 07.2017
Registered Nurse 1
Madden Mental Health Center
10.2014 - 01.2017
Registered Nurse
Macneal Memorial Hospital
03.2012 - 10.2014
Registered Nurse / Midwife
Central Hospital Benin city
06.2001 - 08.2007
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Grand Canyon University
Associate of Science - General Nursing
University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Sch. Of Nsg
Associate of Science - Midwifery
St. Philomena's Catholic School of Midwifery
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