LOUISA DARKO
Lancaster,PA
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse with immense experience in providing excellent patient care in different settings, some of which includes pediatric unit, med/surge, operating room, pre/post anesthesia care unit, oncology, neuro unit, orthopedic unit, med/surg ICU, and surgical ICU. Ability to multitask, work in a fast-paced environment and provide excellent care to patients. Successfully completed the Nurse Residency Program at Lancaster General Hospital in June 2024. Provided exceptional care as a Registered Nurse on the orthopedic unit at Lancaster General Hospital. Committed to delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care while fostering positive outcomes in a collaborative healthcare environment.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse - Surgical Orthopedics/Trauma Nurse
Lancaster General Hospital
Lancaster, PA
05.2023 - 01.2025
- Provided preoperative and postoperative care to patients recovering from orthopedic surgeries, including joint replacements and fracture repairs.
- Monitored patient progress, managed pain control, and assessed for complications such as deep vein thrombosis or infection.
- Educated patients and families on recovery expectations, mobility assistance, and medication adherence.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team, including physical therapists, and physicians, to optimize patient outcomes.
- Utilized EPIC for accurate documentation and care planning
- Supervised nursing assistants in performing delegated tasks according to established policies and procedures.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehensible terminology.
- Checked in patients, completed intakes, and performed initial assessments.
- Developed individualized care plans for orthopedic patients in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise, and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support, and life-saving interventions.
- Coordinated with the healthcare team to establish, enact, and evaluate patient care plans.
- Documented patient progress notes in the electronic health record system accurately and in a timely manner.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery, and reducing compliance issues.
- Advocated for patient needs with an interdisciplinary team, and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Monitored surgical sites for signs of infection, and maintained optimal wound hygiene.
- Collaborated with physicians regarding patient assessment results, treatment plans, and discharge planning.
- Administered oral, IV, and intramuscular medications, and monitored patient reactions.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess the patient's condition.
- Monitored post-surgical wounds for infection or complications, and documented findings accordingly.
Nurse Resident
Lancaster General Hospital
Lancaster, PA
05.2023 - 06.2024
- Completed rotations in medical-surgical, orthopedics, and critical care units
- Developed proficiency in advanced clinical skills, including post-surgical assessments, central line management, and telemetry monitoring
- Participated in a mentorship program focused on enhancing critical thinking, time management, and leadership abilities.
- Delivered patient-centered care, ensuring proper pain management, wound care, and mobility assistance.
- Presented an evidence-based project on reducing HAPIs and post-surgical infection rates, which was implemented into unit practices.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Marshfield Medical Center
Marshfield, WI
11.2020 - 12.2022
- Assisted 10-15 patients with their activities of daily living, such as toileting, bathing, grooming, feeding, and dressing, as needed, and recorded cares provided in CERNER.
- Performed hourly rounding on all patients, responded to patients' call lights accordingly, attended to their needs, and provided care according to the patients' care plans in a manner that protects their dignity and privacy.
- Recognized changes in patients' health, and report to the Registered Nurse.
- Monitored, reported, and accurately recorded patients' vital signs, including heights and weights, and intake and output.
- Maintained a positive and supportive relationship with nurses, doctors, other healthcare workers, coworkers, patients, family members, and all hospital staff.
- Maintained the patient's safety, respect, and dignity, and a clean and safe environment.
Student Nurse
Marshfield Medical Center
Marshfield, WI
08.2020 - 12.2022
- Provided primary care, thoroughly performed clinical assessments on patients, administered medications, and accurately documented in CERNER under direct supervision of a Registered Nurse
- Worked in collaboration with doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to devise plans that work best for patients and family members
- Successfully started an IV on patients and administered medications through it
- Administered medications via IM, IV, SQ, intranasal, mouth, sublingual, topical, PEG tube, G tube, NG tube to patients and monitored the effectiveness and side effects of the medication under the supervision of a Registered Nurse
- Recognized changes in patients' health and behavior, monitored and reported any abnormal lab findings to the Registered Nurses for necessary actions or cares to be provided
- Safely inserted and removed indwelling/foley catheter for pediatrics and geriatric patients and accurately monitored intake and output, and appearance of urine color
- Observed anesthesiologist administered epidural anesthesia to a patient and caudal anesthesia to a pediatric patient before an inguinal hernia repair and had the opportunity to assist and monitor patients for side effects or health changes
- Observed and assisted surgeon to perform manual impaction and inserted foley for pediatric patient before a cocectomy tube replacement procedure
- Performed wound care under the supervision of Registered Nurse
- Educated patients on medication compliance and side effects under the supervision of a Registered nurse
- Monitored, assessed, and observed patients after surgery to prevent any postoperative complications or adverse events
Certified Nursing Assistant
Independent Living- LLC
Middleton, WI
03.2018 - 08.2020
- Assisted residents with their daily living activities such as toileting, bathing, grooming, feeding, medication administration, dressing
- Assisted and encouraged residents to maintain and regain their independence
- Reported and recorded care provided and changes in residents health accurately to the nurse or supervisor
- Monitored and recorded residents' intake and output; assisted with preparing meals and serving, meal supplement and fluids; assisted with eating when necessary
- Maintained a clean and safe environment for residents and their family members
Pharmacy Technician-Mail Service Senior Specialist
AEROTEC
Phoenix, AZ
05.2017 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Worked as a contractor for Walgreens and converted to an Employee
- Processed new patient registrations by entering data into the computer system
- Handled written letters to patients and prescribers to obtain necessary information to process an order
- Entered information into the PROMISE computer system accurately and efficiently, which includes prescription entry, refills, resolving order-level exceptions while maintaining HIPAA guidelines and following standard operating procedures
- Used the pharmacy’s proprietary computer program to retrieve prescription information including patient and prescriber data, drug selection, prescription interpretation as well as insurance billing
- Identified and communicated issues to the Team Leader and/or the Team Pharmacists, and researched and resolved dosage conflicts, potentially harmful drug interactions, insurance issues and other matters to ensure patient safety/wellness and build customer loyalty
- Received and confirmed prescription orders with customers on the phone and answered questions concerning prescriptions
- Accurately calculate dosages, prepare prescription labels and fill prescriptions for approval by pharmacists
- Looked into pharmaceutical stock to assess inventory level, placed orders, and removed outdated drugs
- Performed other duties as assigned by Pharmacists or Team leaders
- Worked as a contractor for Walgreens and converted to an Employee
Direct Support Professional
AIRES-LLC
Phoenix, AZ
01.2014 - 05.2017
- Assisted residents with their daily living activities such as toileting, bathing, grooming, feeding, medication administration, dressing
- Assisted and encouraged residents to maintain and regain their independence
- Assisted individuals in the development of appropriate behavioral, social, money management, housekeeping, hygiene, and other skills necessary to reach their highest level of potential
- Recorded care provided and reported changes in residents' health to the nurse or supervisor and provided regular reports on health and state of residents including documentation of medications provided and signs or symptoms that indicated problems
- Monitored and recorded residents' intake and output; assisted with preparing meals and serving, meal supplement and fluids; assisted with eating when necessary
- Maintained a clean and safe environment for residents and their family members
- Transported individuals in personal and/or company vehicle for community outings or scheduled appointments
Education
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - NURSING
University of Wisconsin
Eau-Claire12.2022
PRE-NURSING -
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison05.2020
ASSOCIATES IN SCIENCE -
Glendale Community College
Glendale, AZ08.2017
Skills
- Advanced clinical skills: IV therapy, central line management, pain management, telemetry monitoring
- Medication administration
- Technology: Cerner EHR system, Epic, clinical documentation, workflow optimization
- Patient education: focus on recovery, medication adherence, and discharge planning
- Diagnostic Testing Proficiency
- Team collaboration: working closely with an interdisciplinary team to improve outcomes
- Leadership: effective delegation and mentoring within team settings
- Patient assessments
- Wound care
- Excellent communication
- Compassionate
- Problem-solving
- Fracture stabilization
- Post-operative care
- Medical documentation
- Patient monitoring
- Orthopedic equipment use
- Health communication
- Patient care planning
- Preoperative preparation
- Inpatient nursing care
- Physical therapy support
Certification
- Registered Nurse (RN), Pennsylvania License
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- CPR, AED, and Basic First Aid Certification
- Narcan Certification
- Sepsis-Adult Early Recognition & Treatment Training
- Safe Medication Administration Certification
Languages
- English
- Twi (Ghanaian Language)
Email and Phone Number
- Personal: loisam.97@gmail.com
- Mobile: 480-453-1897
References
- Justin Joseph Gavaghan, 717-544-5616, Manager (LGH)
- Madelyn, 484-798-7068, Coworker (LGH)
- Stephanie Andres, andress@uwec.edu, Professor, Instructor
- Jill Lutz, 715-387-7549, Manager (Marshfield Medical Center)
- Elvis Abekah, 623-282-6007, Coworker (Marshfield Medical Center)
Awards
- Presented an evidence-based practice project adopted by unit leadership
- Successfully completed Nurse Residency Program at Lancaster General Hospital
- Dean’s List, University of Wisconsin, Eau-Claire (Multiple Semesters)
- Received The Sunshine Award for providing exceptional care for my patients
Timeline
Registered Nurse - Surgical Orthopedics/Trauma Nurse
Lancaster General Hospital
05.2023 - 01.2025
Nurse Resident
Lancaster General Hospital
05.2023 - 06.2024
Certified Nursing Assistant
Marshfield Medical Center
11.2020 - 12.2022
Student Nurse
Marshfield Medical Center
08.2020 - 12.2022
Certified Nursing Assistant
Independent Living- LLC
03.2018 - 08.2020
Pharmacy Technician-Mail Service Senior Specialist
AEROTEC
05.2017 - 01.2018
Direct Support Professional
AIRES-LLC
01.2014 - 05.2017
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - NURSING
University of Wisconsin
PRE-NURSING -
University of Wisconsin-Madison
ASSOCIATES IN SCIENCE -
Glendale Community College
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