Rachel Ferguson Chase
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Port Saint Lucie,FL
Summary
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Current RN License in Florida
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications.
- 16 years of Critical Care nursing experience.
- Proficient with Epic, Cerner, McKesson, Microsoft Office & Teams, Zoom and other operating systems.
- Special attention to detail, safety, compliance, and patient confidentiality.
- Endeavor to meet core measure criteria so hospitals qualify for reimbursement.
- Effective communicator with exceptional team building skills.
- Believe compassion is essential to deliver the best healthcare.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Jupiter Medical Center
Jupiter, FL
09.2013 - Current
- Started in the Progressive Care Unit (2013-2016), promoted to charge nurse, and later promoted to the Intensive Care Unit (2017-present).
- Relief Nursing Supervisor for JMC
- Gained much experience in the various aspect of critical care.
- Have cared for patients with a large array of critical medical conditions using specialized skills and equipment.
- Developed the critical thinking skills needed to take the whole picture of a patient and put it together to help the entire healthcare team come up with the best treatment care plan.
- Proactive in trying to prevent patient decline whenever possible.
- Effective patient advocate.
- Participated in PCU and ICU Unit Based Committees as well as the Informatics Committee.
- Resource for many other staff members.
- Independent not-for-profit 340 licensed bed regional medical center that is currently ranked #1 in the region for quality, safety, and patient experience https://www.jupitermed.com.
Travel Registered Nurse
Nightingale Nurses
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
01.2013 - 07.2013
- Fulfilled three consecutive contracts at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center www.pbgmc.com/
- Worked on a cardiac telemetry unit and floated to various other units such as: Neuro, ICU and CVICU (PCU level patients), and Med-Surg.
- As a first-time traveling nurse, was challenged to learn the ways of the hospital quickly and appropriately in order to be an effective team member.
- Dedicated work was acknowledged by the nursing manager, which resulted in multiple renewals of the contract with the hospital.
- Primarily cared for cardiac patients with medical conditions such as: heart arrhythmias, CHF, valve disorders, coronary artery disease, and patients needing cath lab procedures.
- Traveling nursing company http://www.nightingalenurses.net/
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Grandview Medical Center
Birmingham, AL
01.2011 - 12.2012
- Worked on the Cardiac Progressive Care Unit.
- Received recognition from nursing manager and hospital administration for continually completing documentation for core measure compliance appropriately.
- Cared for patients before and after cath lab procedures which included: arteriogram, PCI, aortogram with runoff, pacemaker/AICD implantation or extraction, TEE/Cardioversion, and ablation.
- Treated patients that were overflow from other units such as: cardiovascular surgery, pulmonary, renal, GI, Ortho, and med/surg.
- Frequently cared for ICU transfer patients.
- Floated to many other units throughout the hospital when needed.
- Was in a different location and known as Trinity Medical Center when employed with them https://www.grandviewhealth.com/
Education
Bachelors of Science in Nursing -
University of Alabama At Birmingham
05-2010
Skills
- Intensive care unit experienceCollection of medical history
- Patient assessment and monitoring
- Insertion and management of IV's
- Taking and managing vitals
- Cardiac monitors and EKG's
- Cardiac rhythm interpretation and treatment
- Specimen collection
- Issue assessment and monitoring
- Sepsis and shock identification and care
- Intervention recommendations
- Emergency intervention implementation
- Medication administration through all modalities
- Critical IV medication management
- Assist with central and arterial line placement
- Management of central and arterial lines
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Blood transfusion administration
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Bedside procedure support
- Airway management
- Assisting with intubation
- Ventilator, trach, and BIPAP management
- ABG interpretation and management
- Chest tube management
- Pain management
- Medical equipment setup
- Targeted Temperature management
- CRRT
- Managing electrolyte imbalances
- Seizure identification and treatment
- 24-hour EEG monitoring
- EVD placement and management
- DVT prevention and treatment
- PE identification and treatment
- Stroke detection and treatment
- Administration and treatment of TPA/TNK
- Care of patients after thrombectomy
- Balloon Pump management
- Restraint management and documentation
- Foley placement and management
- NG/OG placement and management
- Pre and post cath lab procedure care
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Evidence-based practices
- Policy adherence
- Standard precautions
- Isolation precautions
- Proper use of PPE
- HIPAA education and compliance
- Chart management
- Resource utilization
- Quality improvement
- Documentation and reporting
- Staff coordination
- Nursing protocol development
- Mental illness evaluation and care
- Identification and treatment of withdrawal
- Care and documentation of Baker Act patients
- Post op recovery and care
- Wound care, drains, and vacs
- Emotional support
- Family support and advocacy
- End-of-life care
Timeline
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Jupiter Medical Center
09.2013 - Current
Travel Registered Nurse
Nightingale Nurses
01.2013 - 07.2013
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Grandview Medical Center
01.2011 - 12.2012
Bachelors of Science in Nursing -
University of Alabama At Birmingham
Honors
Jupiter Medical Center (2013-present):
- The hospital has received multiple monetary and physical donations over the years in my name for exceptional care.
- Honor a Caregiver Award in 2022 and 2023.
- Received multiple letters and gifts from thankful patients and their families as well as fellow employees.
Trinity Medical Center Core Measure Compliance Recognition (2012):
- Received from hospital administration recognizing my continuous efforts to comply with state-mandated core measures. Personal100% success rate for discharged patients.
UAB Student Excellence Award Banquet (2007):
- Awarded the volunteer of the year award, in recognition of dedication and service to UAB.