LaTonya Benson
Broken Arrow,OK
Summary
Patient-oriented Nurse with 16 years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments. Offering expertise with Medical-Surgical Nursing.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN
Gifted Healthcare
Tulsa, OK
09.2021 - Current
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and other conditions.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
Float Pool Staff Nurse
St. John Medical Center
Tulsa, OK
09.2017 - 09.2021
- Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab tests.
- Liaised between patients and physicians to ensure patient comprehension of treatment plans.
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Closely monitored acute conditions.
- Managed care for post-operative patients through discharge.
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations and nursing diagnoses.
- Delegated staff nurse duties
- Cerner Electronic Medical record utilized for documentation of patients care and medications.
NightShift Charge Nurse
Oklahoma Surgical Hospital
2448 E 81 St. Street Tulsa, Ok 74105
07.2009 - 05.2019
- Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab tests.
- Chronic patient care in med-surg unit, adeptly handling all aspects of treatment from medication to wound care to monitoring for number patients per shift.
- Managed care for post-operative patients through discharge.
- Performed lab tests and communicated results.
- Liaised between patients and physicians to ensure patient comprehension of treatment plans.
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Closely monitored acute conditions.
- Diagnosed and treated patients with chronic and acute health problems such as MI, arrhythmias, asthma, COPD and pneumonia.
- Assisted with implementation and training of new computer documentation system Chart Access.
- Charge RN of 23 -26 bed med-surg/orthopedic unit
- Coordinated transfer of acutely critically ill patients to other facilities.
- Assisted with building ordersets for ChartAccess Electronic Medical Record
Registered Nurse/Case Manager
Encompass Home Health
Tulsa, Ok
01.2015 - 08.2015
- Developed and implemented nursing care plans.
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations and nursing diagnoses.
- Documented patient information obtained from interviews.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing.
Staff Registered Nurse CVICU
Hillcrest Medical Center
11th and Utica Tulsa, Ok 74105
06.2008 - 08.2010
- Identified patients age specific needs and altered care plans as necessary to meet those needs.
- Administered blood and blood products, monitoring patients patients for signs and symptoms of transfusion related reactions
- Assessed and managed the care of critical patients in CVICU and Med-Surg.
- Venous and arterial Lab draws
- Mantianence and interpetation of arterial lines, pulmonary lines
- Woundcare
- Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab tests.
Surgical Technologist
Hillcrest Medical Center
11th and Utica Ave. Tulsa, Ok 74105
11.2005 - 06.2008
- Organized supplies and equipment in the operating room
- Set up the operating surgeons sterile table, anticipating what might be needed during the procedure
- Helped the surgeon and any assistants dob their surgical gowns and gloves
- Prepare and apply surgical dressings
- Count surgical instruments before and after sugery��
- Clean and sterilize instruments after surgery
- Assist in the application of wound vacs
- Assisted with various types of surgeries from Orthopeadic to Urology.
Charge Nurse
Oklahoma Surgical Hospital
Tulsa, OK
10.2022 - Current
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Conducted daily shift briefs to inform staff of changes in patient care assignments.
- Mentored and supervised junior nurses, fostering a supportive and professional work environment.
- Optimized patient satisfaction through timely response to concerns and effective communication among staff members.
- Promoted a safe working environment by adhering to infection control policies and regularly reviewing safety protocols.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care.
- Served as a liaison between nursing staff, physicians, and management, fostering open communication channels among all parties involved in patient care.
- Championed a positive work culture by recognizing exemplary performance from team members and addressing conflicts promptly when they arose.
- Supervised and managed daily scheduling, tasking, and administration.
- Managed staffing schedules, ensuring adequate coverage while minimizing overtime expenses.
- Coordinated discharge planning, collaborating with patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure seamless transitions of care.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Tulsa Community College
6111 E Skelly Dr. Tulsa, Ok2008
Skills
- High level of autonomy
- Strong clinical judgment
- Patient/family focused
- Patient evaluation/intervention
- Problem resolution capability
- Patient and family advocacy
- Venipuncture/blood draw expert
- Thorough physical assessments
- Professional bedside manner
Certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Basic Life Support Certification
- Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification
- Registered Nurse in Oklahoma, LIC# K2040655
Timeline
Charge Nurse
Oklahoma Surgical Hospital
10.2022 - Current
RN
Gifted Healthcare
09.2021 - Current
Float Pool Staff Nurse
St. John Medical Center
09.2017 - 09.2021
Registered Nurse/Case Manager
Encompass Home Health
01.2015 - 08.2015
NightShift Charge Nurse
Oklahoma Surgical Hospital
07.2009 - 05.2019
Staff Registered Nurse CVICU
Hillcrest Medical Center
06.2008 - 08.2010
Surgical Technologist
Hillcrest Medical Center
11.2005 - 06.2008
Associate of Science - Nursing
Tulsa Community College