Laura Nesmith
Washington,DC
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. 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
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse Care Manager
Department Of Veterans Affairs
Washington, DC
06.2005 - Current
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Effectively communicated with physicians regarding patient needs, performance, medications and changes.
- Responded promptly and professionally to patient questions and concerns.
- Examined patients and documented history of current and previous conditions, illnesses, injuries and current medications.
- Liaised with physicians regarding patient needs, performance and changes.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Followed all instructions for medication administration and treatment plans as prescribed by physicians.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients in primary care setting, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians, and unit clerks.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Assist with managing approximately 1250-1300 panel of patients.
Registered Nurse
Greater Southeast Community Hospital
Washington, DC
08.2001 - 06.2005
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Identified patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with patients and families.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients in ambulatory care setting, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians, and unit clerks.
- Verified patients had information necessary for ongoing care, providing guidance on diagnoses, management of medications, and prevention methods.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
DC General Hospital
Washington, DC
06.1994 - 06.2001
- 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.
- Communicated openly and collaboratively with all healthcare staff to organize successful patient care.
- Answered codes quickly and orchestrated efficient, skilled medical care.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds, and thoracic trauma.
- Educated patients and answered questions about health condition, prognosis, and treatment.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Delivered important IV and venous medications to control symptoms and provide effective treatments.
- Monitored medication dosages to prevent critical and potentially fatal patient incidents.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- 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.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
Registered Nurse, Labor and Delivery
DC General Hospital
Washington, DC
06.1992 - 06.1994
- 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.
- 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.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- 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.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Monitored patient and fetal condition by interpreting and tracking fetal heart readings, contractions, identifying abnormal readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Assisted physician with delivery of fetus via vaginally or cesarean section
- Monitored patient for post partum bleeding and eclampsia
Education
Master of Science - Informatics
Chamberlain University
Addison, IL02-2026
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Howard University
Washington, DC05-1992
Skills
- Patient Management
- Vaccine Administration
- Chart Updating
- Appointment Scheduling
- Health Screening
- Nursing Staff Leadership
- Precepting
- Patient Assessment
- Chronic Disease Management
- High Level of Autonomy
- Maintaining Privacy
Timeline
Registered Nurse Care Manager
Department Of Veterans Affairs
06.2005 - Current
Registered Nurse
Greater Southeast Community Hospital
08.2001 - 06.2005
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
DC General Hospital
06.1994 - 06.2001
Registered Nurse, Labor and Delivery
DC General Hospital
06.1992 - 06.1994
Master of Science - Informatics
Chamberlain University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Howard University