- Watching Movies and TV Shows
- Knitting and Crocheting
- Gardening
- I like working with my hands and fixing things
- Reading
- Passionate about balancing physical health with mental and emotional wellness
- Church
Paulette Smith
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Experienced and hardworking leader/ healthcare professional skilled in patient care, critical thinking, and communication. Strong focus on team collaboration/guiding and achieving optimal patient outcomes. Reliable and adaptable, ensuring efficient and compassionate care in dynamic environments. Proactive and goal oriented who has expertise in certain medical procedures, patient assessments, and care coordination. Being a change agent is paramount.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered-Nurse
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
04.2007 - Current
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients'' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex cases.
- 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.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital
04.2004 - 03.2007
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Managed caseload of 34 bed while assigned to at-least 8 patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, trach care and wound care.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
- Managed complex wound care, including dressing changes, monitoring for signs of infection, and collaborating with wound care specialists as needed.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by implementing evidence-based discharge planning and coordinating follow-up appointments.
- Effectively managed acute pain symptoms by administering medications as prescribed while monitoring for potential side effects.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of medical-surgical nursing.
- Performed intravenous therapy procedures and monitored chest tubes.
- Monitored hemodynamic variances to identify signs of life-threatening complications.
- Educated patients and family members on disease processes, treatment options, and self-care techniques.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Education
Acute Care Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - Nursing Practice
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN12-2025
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing
Widener University
Chester, PA05-2001
Associate of Science - Science Education
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA05-1994
Skills
- Medication, IV Set-up and IV administration
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments/Monitoring
- Documentation and charting
- Strong clinical judgment
- Patient education and counseling
- Patient and family advocacy
- Infection control measures
- Wound care
- Compassion and empathy
- Care plan development/Implementing
- Professional bedside manner
- Telemetry monitoring
- Tracheostomy care
- Precepting
- Team coordination
- Administering immunizations
- Geriatric nursing
- Mobility assistance
- Managing deadlines
Affiliations
- Black Nurses Rock
- American Nurses Association
Interests
Timeline
Registered-Nurse
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
04.2007 - Current
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital
04.2004 - 03.2007
Acute Care Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - Nursing Practice
Walden University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing
Widener University
Associate of Science - Science Education
Community College of Philadelphia
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