Lorraine Pollard
Union Bridge,MD
Summary
To leverage my expertise as a dedicated cardiovascular nurse in contributing to the dynamic environment of the VA hospital's cardiovascular lab, where I aim to utilize my specialized skills and knowledge to provide exceptional patient care, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and advance the mission of enhancing cardiovascular health outcomes for our veterans.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Cardiovascular Nurse
Carroll Hospital Center
01.2016 - Current
- Perform Cardiac assessments: I currently have Proficiency in conducting comprehensive assessments of patients with various cardiac conditions, including monitoring vital signs, and cardiac rhythms, and interpreting diagnostic test results.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by educating patients on heart-healthy lifestyle changes and medication adherence.
- Critical care expertise: I currently provide specialized care to critically ill patients, including those recovering from cardiac procedures, myocardial infarctions, heart failure exacerbations needing a right heart cath, and other acute cardiac events.
- ECG interpretation: Competence in interpreting electrocardiograms (ECGs) to identify arrhythmias, ischemic changes, conduction abnormalities, and other cardiac dysrhythmias.
- Medication administration: Experience in administering and titrating cardiac medications such as antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, vasodilators, beta-blockers, and thrombolytics while monitoring for adverse reactions and therapeutic effectiveness.
- Cardiac monitoring: Proficiency in operating and interpreting data from cardiac monitoring equipment, including telemetry monitors, bedside cardiac monitors, and continuous cardiac output devices.
- ·Patient education: Ability to educate patients and their families about cardiovascular conditions, treatment plans, medication management, lifestyle modifications, and self-care techniques to promote optimal cardiac health.
- Interventional procedures: Familiarity with assisting physicians during cardiac procedures such as cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, stent placement, pacemaker insertion, and cardioversion.
- Emergency response: Skill in managing cardiac emergencies, including rapid assessment, and initiation of appropriate interventions such as CPR, defibrillation, and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocols.
- Collaboration: Experience working collaboratively with cardiologists, radiologists, vascular surgeons, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement comprehensive care plans for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions.
- Documentation: Proficient in maintaining accurate and thorough medical records, including nursing assessments, progress notes, medication administration records, and discharge summaries, adhering to institutional and regulatory standards.
- Patient advocacy: Commitment to advocating for patients' rights, preferences, and holistic well-being while ensuring that patient care delivery aligns with our evidence-based practice guidelines and ethical principles.
- Quality improvement: Participation in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient outcomes, reducing readmission rates, optimizing resource utilization, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement within the cardiovascular care unit.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in cardiac nursing care.
- Optimized nursing efficiency by regularly evaluating workflow processes and recommending improvements when necessary.
Registered Nurse, PCU
Carroll Hospital Center
10.2008 - 01.2016
- Monitored cardiac and other critical vital signs to detect changes and enable intervention of life-threatening or emergency situations.
- Promoted a positive work environment within the PCU team through collaboration, mutual respect, and proactive problem-solving approaches.
- Administered prescribed medications, changed dressings, cleaned wounds and monitored vital signs to provide high standards of patient care.
- Mentored new nurses through orientation processes, sharing expertise in PCU nursing practice and fostering professional growth.
- Served as a strong advocate for patients'' rights, ensuring their preferences were respected in all aspects of their healthcare experience.
- Expedited critical medical interventions through timely recognition of early warning signs of patient deterioration or complications.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families by demonstrating empathy, active listening, and effective communication skills.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by consistently providing compassionate, respectful, and culturally sensitive care tailored to individual needs.
- Participated in hospital-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall patient safety and quality of care through ongoing education and training opportunities.
- Maintained accurate documentation in electronic health records systems to support continuity of care across multidisciplinary team members.
- Improved patient outcomes through diligent monitoring of vital signs and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
- Conducted ongoing evaluation of patient outcomes to document success of interventions and strategies in relation to plan of care.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Leadership
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT06.2024
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ04.2020
Associate of Science - Nursing
Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD05.2008
Skills
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Compassionate Care
- Cardiac Catheterization Care
- Clinical judgment
- Attention to Detail
- Critical Thinking
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Patient and family advocacy
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Accurate Documentation
- Training staff
Accomplishments
- Daisy Award Winner
- 16 WOW awards
- Nominated for Nurse of the year nine years
Timeline
Cardiovascular Nurse
Carroll Hospital Center
01.2016 - Current
Registered Nurse, PCU
Carroll Hospital Center
10.2008 - 01.2016
Master of Science - Nursing Leadership
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Grand Canyon University
Associate of Science - Nursing
Frederick Community College