Maria E. Witherspoon
Rancho Palos Verdes,CA
Summary
Psychiatric Nurse experienced in delivering compassionate care with career spanning over 20 years. Well-versed in providing quick intervention, medication and support to patients with acute, chronic and drug induced mental illness.
Highly trained Psychiatric Nurse offering well-developed interpersonal, acute care treatment and relationship building skills.
Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Kaiser Permanente
Lomita, CA
01.2011 - Current
- Provide outpatient services to mentally ill clients.
- Provide telephone triage of clients with medication issues, deterioration in mood, and exacerbation of symptoms.
- Oversee care of suicidal patients and act swiftly to reduce risk of harm to themselves or others.
- Explain useful coping methods to relieve depression and anxiety.
- Educate family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Evaluate patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Explain course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Del Amo Hospital RN
Torrance, CA
03.2012 - 08.2015
- Assessed and provided psychiatric inpatient and detox services to clients who require mood stabilization and monitoring of acute change(s) in mentation and physiological health.
- Administered routine and as needed medication.
- Effectively prioritized assignments, executing care based on each patient's relative condition and delegating tasks to available personnel deliver safe and efficient care.
- Worked within interdisciplinary health care team to develop, implement and make adjustments to patient care plans, individualizing strategies and methods to improve health and meet recovery goals.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
Downey Regional Medical Center
Downey, CA
03.2010 - 01.2011
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Exodus
Culver City, CA
01.2010 - 12.2010
- Assessed, and ensured safety of clients in temporary, but acute psychiatric setting
- Administered medications as needed and closely monitor for possible reaction.
- Managed patients with multiple chronic health conditions, acute episodes of care and behavioral health challenges while promoting and supporting prevention and wellness.
Charge Nurse
College Hospital Cerritos
Cerritos, CA
10.2008 - 12.2009
- Established priorities of patient care based on essential patient needs and available unit resources of time, personnel, equipment, and supplies.
- Coordinated nursing care through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Implemented quality patient care techniques to align with safety, health and organizational regulations.
- Interacted smoothly with patients and loved ones, updated on care plans and advocated for needs.
LVN
College Hospital Cerritos
Cerritos, CA.
09.2005 - 09.2008
- Administered medications to children, adolescents, and adults.
- Monitored patients for adverse reactions to psychotropic medications.
- Assisted Registered Nurse in planning and implementing patient care.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising Registered Nurse.
Intake Specialist
College Hospital Cerritos
Cerritos, CA
02.2003 - 08.2005
- Answered phone calls from hospitals, schools, client's home, and dispatched crisis psychiatric evaluation team.
- Completed intake assessment forms.
- Upon assessment by crisis clinician, if client required inpatient hospitalization, coordinated admission by assigning a psychiatrist and providing report to a Registered nurse.
Mental Health Worker
College Hospital Cerritos
Cerritos, CA
04.1999 - 01.2003
- Assisted licensed staff in the supervision of psychiatric clients.
- Observed and monitored patients' progress and reported observations to appropriate staff.
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living skills.
- Assisted in implementing appropriate emergency measures in crisis situations.
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA08.2021
Associate of Science - Nursing
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA07.2008
Skills
- Mental and Physical Assessments
- Compassionate and Caring
- Active Listening
- Crisis Resolution
- Patient Condition Monitoring
- Therapeutic Interventions
- Medication Side Effect Knowledge
- Clear Patient Communication
- Suicide Prevention
- Substance Abuse Knowledge
Accomplishments
Daisy Award winner in 2015 after nomination by a patient and psychiatrist.
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Del Amo Hospital RN
03.2012 - 08.2015
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Kaiser Permanente
01.2011 - Current
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
Downey Regional Medical Center
03.2010 - 01.2011
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Exodus
01.2010 - 12.2010
Charge Nurse
College Hospital Cerritos
10.2008 - 12.2009
LVN
College Hospital Cerritos
09.2005 - 09.2008
Intake Specialist
College Hospital Cerritos
02.2003 - 08.2005
Mental Health Worker
College Hospital Cerritos
04.1999 - 01.2003
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
California State University - Dominguez Hills
Associate of Science - Nursing
Rio Hondo College
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