Karen Henderson
Summary
Dedicated Registered Nurse with proven expertise in critical care and dialysis, honed at Community Hospital and Metro South Hospital. Excelled in hemodynamics monitoring and compassionate care, significantly improving patient outcomes. Demonstrated leadership by mentoring staff and enhancing team efficiency. Certified in CPR/AED, adept at neurological monitoring, ensuring high-quality patient care.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Community Hospital
06.2013 - Current
- Handled ventilator support, feeding tubes and central lines.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures, ensuring accurate treatment administration and timely patient recovery.
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing individualized care plans for critically ill patients.
- Reduced patient complications by promptly identifying changes in condition and initiating appropriate interventions.
- Managed ventilator settings according to physician orders, significantly reducing instances of respiratory distress among critically ill patients.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to establish optimal care plans, resulting in improved patient satisfaction.
- Mentored new nursing staff, facilitating smooth integration into the ICU unit and promoting a supportive workplace culture.
- Delegated work to nursing support staff and monitored performance to protect patients and maintain optimal care standards.
- Facilitated smooth patient transitions from the ICU to other units by providing detailed reports and recommendations for ongoing care.
- Charge Nurse, managing staffing assignments, daily rounds with ICU physicians, pharmacist, respiratory therapist and ancillary staff.
- Responding to ART's and Codes as well as precepting new employees.
Registered Nurse, Dialysis
Fresenius Medical Care NA
06.2011 - Current
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Worked with healthcare team to develop new dialysis treatment flow sheet and other log forms, improving clinical documentation and accountability.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Metro South Hospital
08.2004 - 06.2011
- Handled ventilator support, feeding tubes and central lines.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures, ensuring accurate treatment administration and timely patient recovery.
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing individualized care plans for critically ill patients.
- Reduced patient complications by promptly identifying changes in condition and initiating appropriate interventions.
- Managed ventilator settings according to physician orders, significantly reducing instances of respiratory distress among critically ill patients.
- Increased family involvement in patient care by providing timely updates on their loved one''s progress and addressing any concerns or questions they may have had.
- Identified patients' current needs through careful observation, vitals monitoring and discussions with loved ones or patients.
- Enhanced ICU team efficiency by providing continuous education on best nursing practices and protocols.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Indiana University, Northwest
Gary, IN05-2008
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
South Suburban College of Cook County
South Holland, IL05-2004
Skills
- Hemodynamics monitoring
- ECG
- Intravenous therapy
- Neurological monitoring
- Compassionate care
- Telemetry monitoring
- Advanced life support
- Endotracheal intubation
- Cardiac monitors
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS)
Certification
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Community Hospital
06.2013 - Current
Registered Nurse, Dialysis
Fresenius Medical Care NA
06.2011 - Current
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Metro South Hospital
08.2004 - 06.2011
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Indiana University, Northwest
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
South Suburban College of Cook County
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