LATASHA SMITH
Windsor
Summary
Experienced Registered Nurse with over 15 years of expertise in critical care nursing and nursing education. Demonstrated success in upholding top-tier performance standards and treatment protocols. Proficient in providing compassionate care across various travel assignments, adept at seamlessly adjusting to new settings. Known for fostering strong team collaboration, effective communication, and adaptability that contribute to favorable patient outcomes.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Travel Registered Nurse
Medical Solutions
06.2023 - Current
- Assessed patient's physical condition upon admission and discharge to document changes in health status.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive patient-centered care and ensure optimal outcomes.
- Demonstrated knowledge of infection control practices while adhering to universal precautions.
- Educated patients and families on disease processes, medications, nutrition and dietary requirements, self-care techniques, safety precautions, and discharge planning instructions.
- Ensured compliance with all state regulations related to the practice of nursing while providing safe high-quality care to all patients.
- Demonstrated adaptability when assigned to different units or shifts as needed, seamlessly integrating into diverse healthcare teams while maintaining exceptional performance levels.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
- Safeguarded patient privacy rights through diligent compliance with HIPAA regulations during all interactions with medical records and personal information.
- Maintained strict adherence to infection control protocols, ensuring a safe environment for patients and colleagues alike.
Registered Nurse Cardiothoracic ICU
Cardiothoracic critical care unit/ Hartford Hospital
11.2021 - 06.2023
- Performed head-to-toe assessments of each assigned patient per shift using proper documentation tools.
- Set up and monitored medical equipment and devices such as cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators, and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, transducers, and pressure lines.
- Recovered patients following open heart surgery, valve replacement surgeries, heart transplant, and coronary artery bypass surgery.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered vasoactive medications while titrating based on patient response.
- Collaborated with other health care professionals to develop and revise treatment plans, based on identified needs and assessment data.
- Heart rhythm interpretation
- Provide patient/family education and support
- 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.
Registered Nurse
Arrhythmia Unit/Hartford Hospital
01.2019 - 11.2021
- Assist physicians in sterile procedures such as heart biopsies, and implantable loop recorders, monitor patients during cardioversions and tilt table tests
- Provide education for patients on what to expect with various procedures and follow up care
- Answer calls and make appointment reminder calls, schedule patients for procedures, and collaborate with other hospital departments and staff.
- 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.
Registered Nurse, PACU
Hartford Hospital
04.2017 - 01.2018
- Monitored patient's condition after surgery, recorded vital signs, and managed post-operative pain and surgical sites
- Developed individualized care plans, reviewed and implemented physicians' orders, and recognized clinical abnormalities, and reported these clinical finding to the anesthesiologist or Mid-level.
- Provided timely interventions to address airway management complications such as respiratory depression or obstruction in post-operative patients.
- Reduced complications by promptly identifying and addressing post-operative issues in PACU patients.
- Decreased medication errors by meticulously administering medications following proper protocols and verifying dosages.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Hartford Hospital
08.2013 - 04.2017
- Monitored and cared for critically ill cardiac patients, and prepared patients for cardiac transplant surgery
- Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab tests
- Advocated for patients, and provided patient/family support, developed and implemented individualized care plans
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures and responded to cardiac arrests throughout the hospital.
- Handled ventilator support, feeding tubes and central lines.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures, ensuring accurate treatment administration and timely patient recovery.
Registered Nurse, Heart failure unit
Hartford Hospital
08.2010 - 08.2013
- Performed ongoing patient assessments, notifying supervising clinician of abnormal findings.
- Documented patient assessment findings and responses to nursing intervention to progress toward problem resolution.
- Reported symptoms, condition changes and vital signs to primary care doctors, patients, and families.
- Obtained specimens and performed EKG tests using proper techniques and procedures.
- Provided customized patient and family education to foster continuum of care.
- Used computers to complete necessary documentation on patient progress.
- Delivered non-judgmental and non-discriminatory care sensitive to patient diversity, preserving dignity and rights.
- Obtained specimens to run monitoring or diagnostic tests.
Education
Masters - Nursing Education
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT12.2021
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
American International College
Springfield, MA05.2010
Skills
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Knowledgeable in Workday functionalities
- Collaborative team member
- Strong time management abilities
- Conflict Management
- Ability to work autonomously
- Proficient in assessments
- Compliance
- Computer Charting
- IV Administration
- Attentive to detail and communication
- Critical decision-making
- Pain management
- Cardiogenic/ Hypovolemic shock patient care
- Vasopressor and Inotropic medication management
- Proficient with providing patient and family education
- Preparing patients for extubation
- Nursing documentation
- Direct patient care
- Discharge planning
- Patient education
Certification
- Registered Nurse/ License # 95209
- Advanced Cardiac Life support (ACLS) Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Awards
Sigma theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing
Timeline
Travel Registered Nurse
Medical Solutions
06.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse Cardiothoracic ICU
Cardiothoracic critical care unit/ Hartford Hospital
11.2021 - 06.2023
Registered Nurse
Arrhythmia Unit/Hartford Hospital
01.2019 - 11.2021
Registered Nurse, PACU
Hartford Hospital
04.2017 - 01.2018
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Hartford Hospital
08.2013 - 04.2017
Registered Nurse, Heart failure unit
Hartford Hospital
08.2010 - 08.2013
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
American International College
Masters - Nursing Education
University of Hartford
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