Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Paula Starnes

Gaithersburg,MD

Summary

Versatile Registered Nurse with over 26 years of experience delivering high-quality care to patients in CVICU, ICU, Interventional Radiology, Pre- op and PACU, and Vascular/Procedure units.

Focused on continuously driving innovation and improving patient outcomes. Uses nursing processes to effectively assess, plan and evaluate patient care. Highly observant, diligent and dedicated patients. Dedicated to providing top quality care within multidisciplinary team environment.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Contract Registered Nurse

Team Placement Service- NIH
Alexandria, VA
11.2022 - Current
  • Collected vital signs and laboratory specimens to facilitate testing.
  • Observed patients after administration of designated medication for adverse events.
  • Relayed information such as requirements and instructions from clinical team to study participants.
  • Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
  • Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
  • Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
  • Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
  • Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
  • Administered local, inhalation or intravenous anesthetics to patients undergoing procedures.
  • Prepared medical equipment and tools to aid physician during examination and treatment of patients.
  • Modified patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions.
  • Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
  • Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans.
  • Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
  • Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.

Registered Nurse

Montgomery Surgery Center
Rockville, MD
01.2021 - 11.2022
  • Pre operative and post operative care of eye patients, general surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedics, ENT adults and children.
  • Assessed and prepared patients for procedures, performing initial and ongoing patient assessments.
  • Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions.
  • Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
  • Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
  • Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
  • Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
  • Evaluated patients, recognized and addressed complications and coordinated treatment with other members of critical care team.
  • Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
  • Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.

RN Staff Nurse CVOR Pre-op/PACU Registered Nurse

Inova Health System
Falls Church, VA
02.2020 - 12.2021
  • CVOR pre-op/Pacu in which I did pre-op on all open hear patients, TAVR, Mitra-clips, sternal debridements
  • In PACU I recovered all TAVR, Mitra-clip, and sternly debridement patients
  • I also floated to main pacu, womens pacu, and psb(outpatient surgery) pacu as well.
  • Read physician orders and administered therapies, treatments and medications.
  • Explained treatment procedures, medication side effects, special diets and physician instructions to patients.
  • Reviewed physician orders and participated in medication management to optimize patient safety.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to create, implement and adapt individualized care plans.
  • Prioritized patient care assignments based on patient conditions to achieve optimal outcomes.
  • Facilitated strategic goals aimed at increasing satisfaction and improving outcomes through compassionate, precise and high-quality nursing care.
  • Instructed patients, families and caregivers on diagnoses, chronic disease management and medication self-management.
  • Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
  • Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
  • Observed nurse administration of oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients as prescribed, monitoring responses for adverse reactions.
  • Answered patient questions and provided take-home materials for further information.
  • Promoted healthy lifestyle choices to reduce symptom or condition re-emergence.
  • Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care.
  • Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in electronic medical records.
  • Coordinated care with charge nurse and other staff through daily communication.
  • Developed care plans complete with effective nursing measures to improve patients' mental and physical health.
  • Communicated effectively with physicians and provided support during surgical procedures.
  • Conducted patient assessments and diagnostic tests to provide physician with important patient health information.
  • Monitored patient vitals post-surgery, managed medical equipment and administered medications and IVs.
  • Addressed rapid response and code situations by strategically organizing and delegating tasks.
  • Transported patients to and from rooms and prepared for treatments according to individual specifications.

Contract RN

Inova Health System
McLean, VA
10.2019 - 01.2020
  • Recovering patients post plastic surgery, ENT, orthopedics, general surgery, urology, neurological, endoscopy, and colonoscopy.
  • Assessed and prepared patients for procedures, performing initial and ongoing patient assessments.
  • Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions.
  • Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
  • Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
  • Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
  • Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
  • Created, implemented and evaluated patient care plans with medical team.
  • Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
  • Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
  • Evaluated patients, recognized and addressed complications and coordinated treatment with other members of critical care team.
  • Monitored patients after surgery, answered questions and provided home care strategies.

Registered Nurse CVICU

Suburban Hospital
Bethesda, MD
09.2017 - 09.2019
  • CVICU nurse caring for patients post open heart surgery
  • Including CRRT, IABP, Impella, vents, vasoactive drip management
  • Also, caring for general ICU, trauma (level one facility), and neuro patients.
  • Assessed ICU patients each shift to ascertain vitals and key information.
  • Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
  • Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
  • Kept track of patients' changing pain levels and proactively worked to minimize excess pain or discomfort.
  • Supervised cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms and oxygen delivery devices.
  • Identified abnormal and critical respiratory patterns through direct pulmonary assessments.
  • Detected emerging problems by monitoring patients' behavior, vital signs and fluid intake and output.
  • Evaluated patient vital signs and laboratory data to assess needs and provide emergency interventions.
  • Checked on patients regularly to track progress with treatments, changes in symptoms and need for emergency interventions.
  • Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
  • Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
  • Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
  • Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
  • Displayed strong telephone etiquette, effectively handling difficult calls.
  • Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.

Registered Nurse

TNAA First Moore Regional Health
05.2017 - 09.2017
  • Travel assignment at First Health Memorial Hospital and Suburban Hospital
  • Caring for patients post open heart/ thoracic/ vascular surgery
  • Also, caring for
  • Trauma, Neuro, and general ICU patients.
  • Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions.
  • Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
  • Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
  • Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
  • Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
  • Created, implemented and evaluated patient care plans with medical team.
  • Evaluated patients, recognized and addressed complications and coordinated treatment with other members of critical care team.
  • Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
  • Updated charts throughout shifts with current, accurate information to maintain strict recordkeeping standards.
  • Maintained personal and team compliance with medication administration standards and patient care best practices.
  • Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows and assisted physicians with non-invasive procedures.
  • Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.

Registered Nurse

Nurse Choice UMMC
05.2016 - 03.2017
  • Travel assignment was working for UMMC in Baltimore, MD
  • I cared for patients post open heart/ thoracic/ vascular patients
  • Including IABP, LVAD, BIVAD, Ecmo, CRRT
  • Ventilator management and IV vasopressor management.
  • Assessed and prepared patients for procedures, performing initial and ongoing patient assessments.
  • Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions.
  • Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
  • Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
  • Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
  • Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
  • Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
  • Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
  • Created, implemented and evaluated patient care plans with medical team.
  • Evaluated patients, recognized and addressed complications and coordinated treatment with other members of critical care team.
  • Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
  • Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
  • Updated charts throughout shifts with current, accurate information to maintain strict recordkeeping standards.
  • Monitored patients after surgery, answered questions and provided home care strategies.
  • Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows and assisted physicians with non-invasive procedures.
  • Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.

Registered Nurse, CVICU

Mission Memorial Hospital
Asheville, NC
01.2015 - 10.2015
  • Assessed and prepared patients for procedures, performing initial and ongoing patient assessments.
  • Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions.
  • Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
  • Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
  • Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
  • Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
  • Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
  • Provided patient and family health education focusing on self-management, prevention and wellness.
  • Created, implemented and evaluated patient care plans with medical team.
  • Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
  • Updated charts throughout shifts with current, accurate information to maintain strict recordkeeping standards.
  • Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
  • Evaluated patients, recognized and addressed complications and coordinated treatment with other members of critical care team.
  • Monitored patients after surgery, answered questions and provided home care strategies.
  • Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows and assisted physicians with non-invasive procedures.

RN, ICU

naknfd

Education

BSN - Nursing

Chamberlain College of Nursing
08-2023

Associate - Nursing

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
Concord, NC
06.1996

Skills

  • Assessing a patient's condition and implementing the appropriate medical intervention
  • Electronic Medical Records Knowledge — Highly Proficient
  • Family and patient support
  • SBAR communication
  • Emotional awareness
  • Medication and IV administration
  • Strong medical ethic
  • Patient monitoring
  • Patient Management
  • Vascular care understanding

Certification

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certified
  • ACLS certified

Additional Information

  • Awards , Daisy Award April 2019 Award for compassionate care

Timeline

Contract Registered Nurse

Team Placement Service- NIH
11.2022 - Current

Registered Nurse

Montgomery Surgery Center
01.2021 - 11.2022

RN Staff Nurse CVOR Pre-op/PACU Registered Nurse

Inova Health System
02.2020 - 12.2021

Contract RN

Inova Health System
10.2019 - 01.2020

Registered Nurse CVICU

Suburban Hospital
09.2017 - 09.2019

Registered Nurse

TNAA First Moore Regional Health
05.2017 - 09.2017

Registered Nurse

Nurse Choice UMMC
05.2016 - 03.2017

Registered Nurse, CVICU

Mission Memorial Hospital
01.2015 - 10.2015

RN, ICU

naknfd

BSN - Nursing

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Associate - Nursing

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

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Paula Starnes