Louise Spencer
Window Rock,AZ
Summary
Dynamic Registered Nurse with a proven track record at Gallup Indian Medical Center, showcasing expertise in IV therapy administration and exceptional patient and family advocacy. Leveraged clinical judgment and compassionate care to significantly enhance patient outcomes. Skilled in leading nursing staff and educating families, demonstrating a 100% commitment to patient health and well-being.
Overview
47
47
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Contract Registered Nurse
Giving Home Health Care
Albuquerque, NM
05.2014 - 06.2023
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
Registered Nurse - Travel
Gallup Indian Medical Center
Gallup, NM
09.2015 - 12.2016
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients on medical-surgical unit, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians, and unit clerks.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
Contract Registered Nurse
Winslow Indian Health Care Center
Winslow, AZ
04.2014 - 06.2014
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
Contract Registered Nurse
Shiprock Indian Health Care
Dzith-Na-O-Dilth-Hle Clinic
02.2014 - 04.2014
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
Registered Nurse
Tsehootsooi Medical Center
Fort Defiance, AZ
05.1999 - 12.2013
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Organized and managed the care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care plans.
- Counseled patients regarding medication side effects or lifestyle changes necessary for improved health outcomes.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions through ongoing assessment of patient responses.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
- Assisted physicians during examinations or surgical procedures.
- Ensured compliance with standards of professional practice as well as state and federal regulations related to health care delivery services.
- Maintained a safe environment for all patients by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
Registered Nurse
Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility
Chinle, AZ
12.1991 - 04.1999
- Assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
- Performed triage assessments of walk-in patients in a clinic setting.
- Assisted physicians during examinations or surgical procedures.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Provided patient care and education to patients with chronic illnesses.
- Maintained a safe environment for all patients by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
- Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives within the department.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in nursing practices by attending continuing education classes or seminars.
- Developed educational materials for use in teaching sessions with patients or their families.
- Coordinated discharge planning activities including arranging follow up appointments or referrals for additional services.
- Instructed patients on proper self-care techniques at home following discharge from the hospital.
- Provided emotional support and comfort to families during difficult times.
- Documented patient progress notes accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record system.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory agencies such as The Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- Monitored vital signs, administered injections, and provided assistance with medical procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
- Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Provided patient and family health education focusing on self-management, prevention and wellness.
- Administered medications, tracked dosages, and documented patient conditions.
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.
- Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions.
- Collaborated with doctors to plan post-treatment home care and prevent return hospitalization.
Graduate Nurse
Sage Memorial Hospital
Ganado, Arizona
05.1980 - 09.1989
- Monitored vital signs, including temperature, pulse and respiration rate.
- Responded quickly in emergency situations by following established protocols for crisis management.
- Administered medications under the direction of a registered nurse or physician.
- Recorded patient information accurately in medical charts.
- Ensured that all documentation was completed accurately and timely according to departmental policies.
- Assisted in preparing rooms for exams or procedures by stocking supplies and ensuring equipment was functioning properly.
- Observed changes in patient conditions and reported them to nursing staff promptly.
- Assisted with the admission process by gathering patient history and medical records.
- Provided assistance to patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing and toileting.
- Answered call lights promptly and responded to requests from patients for assistance or comfort measures.
- Performed basic laboratory tests such as urinalysis or glucose testing as needed per protocol.
- Assisted nurses with patient care, such as changing dressings and providing wound care.
- Provided education about disease processes, treatments, medications and preventative care practices to patients.
- Cared for patient caseload under direction of physician and nursing staff.
- Educated patients on their treatment plans and provided emotional support during difficult times.
- Cared for patient activities of daily living by assisting with eating, bathing, toileting and mobility.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Assisted in transporting patients to other departments within the hospital or clinic setting.
- Maintained a clean environment for each patient's room according to hospital standards.
- Facilitated discharge planning by providing necessary resources and follow-up instructions to discharged patients.
PBX Switchboard Operator
Sage Memorial Hospital
Ganaado, Arizona
06.1976 - 05.1978
- Responded to emergency situations by connecting callers with the proper authorities in a timely manner.
- Transferred calls to voicemail when necessary.
- Provided support to staff members who had difficulty navigating through the PBX switchboard interface.
- Conducted daily maintenance checks on all PBX switchboard components.
- Monitored system for outages and reported them to the appropriate personnel.
- Logged all customer complaints into an online tracking system for follow up purposes.
- Rerouted long distance calls as needed.
- Greeted callers, ascertained nature of business, and directed calls to appropriate personnel or department.
- Performed administrative tasks such as filing documents and preparing reports as requested.
- Verified caller's identity before transferring any confidential information over the phone.
- Maintained records of all incoming and outgoing calls using computerized systems.
- Established positive relationships with customers through effective communication techniques.
- Assisted customers with inquiries in a professional manner.
- Took messages from callers and accurately relayed details to intended staff.
- Handled incoming and outgoing calls according to standard operating procedures.
- Answered calls with friendly and polite approach to engage callers and deliver exceptional customer service.
- Alerted staff of emergency information and general announcements using PA system.
- Operated telephone switchboard to provide information, take messages and forward calls.
- Participated in emergency preparation meetings to understand crisis management procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ06.2003
Associate of Science - Nursing
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM05.1988
Skills
- Seizure Management
- IV Drug Therapy Management
- Prenatal Care
- Medical Screening
- Patient Monitoring
- Patient and Family Advocacy
- Postpartum Care
- Patient Discharging
- Direct Patient Care
- Breastfeeding Education
- Medication Administration
- or and ER Experience
- Family Planning Services Education
- Feeding Assistance
- Mental Health Care
- Patient Care Planning
- Personal Care Needs
- Oxygen Saturation Standards
- Body Mechanics Knowledge
- Performing EKGs
- Medical Laboratory Procedures
- Insulin Medication Assistance
- Foley Catheter Insertion and Removal
- Inpatient and Outpatient Care
- Women's Health Exams
- Call Triaging
- Pain Management
- Intravenous Therapy
- Well Visit Procedures
- Administering Immunizations
- Removing Sutures
- Patient Education
- Evaluation
- Basic life support
- Vital signs monitoring
- Patient care
- Taking vitals
- Patient monitoring
- Personal care needs
- Oxygen saturation standards
- Clinical judgment
- IV therapy administration
- Catheter care
- Blood transfusion
- Compassionate care
- Medical assessment
- Diabetes management
- Infectious disease control
- Lab result interpretation
- IV management
- Culturally-sensitive care
- Vaccine administration
- Chart updating
- Nursing staff leadership
- IV setup
- Patient and family advocacy
- Family education
Certification
- Licensed Registered Nurse - Active - Expiration 04/01/2025 Compact States
- CPR Certifications - Active 12/12/2024 - 12/12/2026
- Certificate of Insurance- Professional Liability 1/08/2023 - 01/08/2024
Additional Information
Language skills:
Navajo; Advanced in speaking, reading and some writing.
Provided Nursing care to obstetrics, newborn, adolescents, and geriatric patients.
Actively participated in development and implementation of individual treatment plans for patients with wide range of health issues.
Performed clerical duties, assumed charge nurse duties and all other aspects of nursing care.
Education
Albuquerque, NM,Tempe, AZ
Contact
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Languages
English
Professional
Navajo
Professional
Timeline
Registered Nurse - Travel
Gallup Indian Medical Center
09.2015 - 12.2016
Contract Registered Nurse
Giving Home Health Care
05.2014 - 06.2023
Contract Registered Nurse
Winslow Indian Health Care Center
04.2014 - 06.2014
Contract Registered Nurse
Shiprock Indian Health Care
02.2014 - 04.2014
Registered Nurse
Tsehootsooi Medical Center
05.1999 - 12.2013
Registered Nurse
Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility
12.1991 - 04.1999
Graduate Nurse
Sage Memorial Hospital
05.1980 - 09.1989
PBX Switchboard Operator
Sage Memorial Hospital
06.1976 - 05.1978
- Licensed Registered Nurse - Active - Expiration 04/01/2025 Compact States
- CPR Certifications - Active 12/12/2024 - 12/12/2026
- Certificate of Insurance- Professional Liability 1/08/2023 - 01/08/2024
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
Associate of Science - Nursing
University of New Mexico
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