Mildred Sherman
Sterling,VA
Summary
Accomplished Hospice Nurse from Capital Caring Health, adept in compassionate care and advanced care planning, significantly reduced hospital readmissions through proactive patient management. Demonstrates exceptional clinical assessment and interpersonal communication skills, ensuring holistic patient support and coordination. Excelled in multitasking and adaptability, enhancing patient satisfaction and care outcomes. Well-rounded and personable Hospice Nurse determined to give patients superior level of care while ensuring dignity. Proudly offering more than 27 years' expertise in nursing field. Thorough team contributor with strong organizational capabilities. Experienced in handling numerous projects at once while ensuring accuracy. Effective at prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines. Experienced Hospice Nurse with background in home and institutional care. Works gently with patients and family to provide comfort and palliative care. Supports family with extensive resources and information concerning end-of-life events and expectations. Maintains round-the-clock availability to patients and families. Results-oriented achiever with proven ability to exceed targets and drive success in fast-paced environments. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions and enhance organizational performance. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Pursuing full-time role that presents professional challenges and leverages interpersonal skills, effective time management, and problem-solving expertise.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Hospice Nurse
Capital Caring Health
04.2021 - 08.2024
- Coordinated timely discharges upon completion of palliative treatments while ensuring smooth transitions back home.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to develop individualized care plans tailored to each patient''s needs and preferences.
- Assisted in training new hospice nurses, sharing expertise in end-of-life care best practices.
- Implemented creative non-pharmacological interventions for symptom management, enhancing patient comfort and overall quality of life.
- Served as a key liaison between patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare providers to ensure seamless coordination of services.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by proactively identifying potential complications and intervening early to address concerns.
- Regularly participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient progress, challenges and updates on their overall care plans.
- Served as a liaison between patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare providers to ensure open communication and continuity of care.
- Advocated for patients'' wishes regarding end-of-life care, ensuring that their voice was heard by family members and healthcare providers alike.
- Mentored and precepted new nursing staff, fostering a positive work environment for team collaboration and growth.
- Maintained detailed and accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes for seamless care coordination among team members.
- Provided physical assessments and vital signs monitoring to promptly identify any changes in condition or decline in functioning levels.
- Utilized effective wound care techniques to prevent infections or complications from arising during the end-of-life process.
- Improved patient comfort by providing compassionate and empathetic care during end-of-life stages.
- Administered medications for pain management, ensuring optimal relief for patients in their final days.
- Educated patients and families about disease progression, symptom management, and available resources to facilitate informed decision making.
- Facilitated spiritual support through collaboration with chaplains or clergy based on patient preferences or religious beliefs.
- Enhanced family satisfaction with the hospice experience by offering emotional support and guidance on coping mechanisms.
- Offered listening ear to both patients and loved ones to meet emotional and mental, as well as physical needs.
- Taught family members and caregivers various ways to manage patients' pain, how to check for vital signs and proper methods for dressing changes.
- Established hospice care services for elderly and disabled patients.
- Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plan for each hospice patient while following physician instructions.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current research findings in palliative care nursing practice through ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Increased patient satisfaction by addressing emotional, spiritual, and physical needs holistically.
- Contributed to improved quality assurance measures within the organization by diligently adhering to established protocols and best practices in hospice nursing care delivery.
- Supported grieving families through bereavement counseling services and educational resources on coping mechanisms.
- Streamlined documentation processes, ensuring timely completion of necessary paperwork and reports.
- Educated community groups about the benefits of hospice care services while dispelling common misconceptions and stigma surrounding end-of-life care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Managed up to 40 calls per day, regarding the initiation of hospice care and inpatient process for symptom management.
Charge Registered Nurse
Loudoun Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
02.2016 - 03.2021
- Led shift handover meetings effectively communicating critical information about each patient''s status ensuring continuity of care.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by actively participating in unit meetings, sharing ideas to improve efficiency or address ongoing challenges faced by colleagues.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Mentored newly hired nurses to ensure seamless integration into the team and facilitate their professional development.
- Skillfully performed various clinical procedures such as IV insertion, wound dressing changes, catheterizations; ensuring optimal comfort levels for patients during these processes.
- Built rapport with patients and family members to deliver exceptional care.
- Enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration through effective communication and teamwork with physicians, therapists, and support staff.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by delivering compassionate care and advocating for individual needs.
- Supervised and managed daily scheduling, tasking, and administration.
- Performed patient assessments and adjusted care plans accordingly.
- Managed medication administration safely and accurately while maintaining meticulous documentation in electronic health records systems.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Provided comprehensive assessments of patients'' physical, emotional, and social needs, informing personalized care plans.
- Documented information in patients' electronic medical record, relaying information to clinicians and care providers to facilitate continuity of care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams during rounds, providing input and advocating for patient needs.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the unit, adhering to strict infection control protocols and reporting potential risks promptly.
- Provided care and supervision of 15-17 patients on a skilled and post acute unit.
- Supervised a team of 3 licensed and 6 unlicensed personnel on 2 units.
Admissions RN
Inova VNA Home Health
11.2014 - 02.2016
- Streamlined admissions processes for improved efficiency and reduced wait times.
- Promoted a positive environment by addressing concerns from patients and families in a timely manner.
- Developed strong relationships with local physicians, enhancing referral networks and increasing hospital admissions rates.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of patients'' physical, mental, and emotional needs to inform appropriate level of care placement.
- Maintained accurate and up-to-date patient records, ensuring proper documentation of medical history and treatment plans.
- Served as an advocate for patients by identifying unmet needs or gaps in services, working collaboratively with various stakeholders to find solutions.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements by maintaining current knowledge of industry standards and best practices for clinical documentation.
- Assisted families in navigating complex healthcare systems, offering guidance on insurance coverage, financial assistance programs, and community resources.
- Educated patients about their rights, responsibilities, and available resources to ensure informed decision-making throughout their hospital stay.
- Attended in-house trainings and continuing education classes.
- Admitted 10 patients daily to Inova Home health Services.
- Managed Caseloads of up to 8 patients when primary case manager was unavailable.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Tower Health Systems
03.2001 - 10.2014
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care, ensuring seamless communication between healthcare providers.
- Consistently maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Skillfully performed venipuncture, IV insertion, and catheterizations, ensuring proper technique and adherence to infection control standards.
- Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families through active listening, empathy, and clear communication during challenging situations.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction with compassionate, personalized nursing care tailored to each individual''s needs.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens, and pain management techniques.
- Managed complex wound care, including dressing changes, monitoring for signs of infection, and collaborating with wound care specialists as needed.
- Demonstrated flexibility in managing multiple priorities concurrently during high-stress periods while maintaining a calm demeanor.
- Managed caseload of 7 patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, and wound care.
- Implemented fall prevention strategies to minimize patient injuries and promote a safe environment within the medical-surgical unit.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Mentored new staff members and nursing students, fostering a supportive learning environment within the unit.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of medical-surgical nursing.
- Provided education on disease management strategies to empower patients in self-care activities throughout their recovery journey.
- Performed intravenous therapy procedures and monitored chest tubes.
- Monitored hemodynamic variances to identify signs of life-threatening complications.
- Utilized EPIC to document data related to patient care such as medications, interventions and patient responses.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by implementing evidence-based discharge planning and coordinating follow-up appointments.
- Ordered and analyzed diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient conditions.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement by participating in quality assurance initiatives and making recommendations for process enhancements.
- Contributed to successful Joint Commission accreditation through strict adherence to policies and procedures.
- Assisted in the development of unit-specific protocols for common medical-surgical procedures, improving efficiency and standardizing practice across the team.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA05.2014
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Reading Area Community College
Reading, PA06.1997
Skills
- Advanced care planning
- Compassionate Care
- Symptom control
- Clinical assessment
- Interpersonal and written communication
- Emergency Response
- Patient Needs Assessment
- Hospice Care
- EMR Updating
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Adaptability and Flexibility
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Hospice Nurse
Capital Caring Health
04.2021 - 08.2024
Charge Registered Nurse
Loudoun Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
02.2016 - 03.2021
Admissions RN
Inova VNA Home Health
11.2014 - 02.2016
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Tower Health Systems
03.2001 - 10.2014
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Immaculata University
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Reading Area Community College
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