Rebecca Bernard

I currently work nights in a level Il NICU/well baby nursery. I assess, treat, and care for newborns on a daily basis by administering oxygen therapy, IV/PO medications, and occupational therapy. A lot of my job involves educating parents how to care for their newborn. I love this job and the people I work with. However, I now find myself needing a more stable/fixed schedule that allows me to care for my elderly parents.

• Administering medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
• Assessing and preparing patients for procedures and performing initial and ongoing patient assessments.
• Recording patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress, and medication side effects.
• Acting as a patient advocate and implementing total patient care through team nursing process.
• Administering medications, tracking dosages, and documenting patient conditions.
• Collecting lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
• Providing patient and family health education focusing on self-management, prevention and wellness.

I enjoyed working in this clinic for 7 years along side of a doctor caring for young patients. I learned so much about the clinical aspect of nursing while working here. I obtained patient history, assessed vital signs, and made various follow-up appointments to specialty care physicians. I also learned a lot about insurance, prior authorizations and clearances that are needed for procedures. I really liked this job and the hours it offered. However, as my children got older I needed a job with better pay so I returned to hospital work.

• Assessing and preparing patients for procedures and performing initial and ongoing patient assessments.
• Administering medications, tracking dosages and documenting patient conditions.
• Updating charts throughout shifts with current, accurate information to maintain strict recordkeeping standards.
• Assessing patient needs, prioritizing treatment, maintaining patient flows, and assisting physicians with non-invasive procedures.
• Collecting lab specimens and ordering/interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
• Maintaining thorough, accurate, and confidential documentation in electronic
  medical records.

I worked in many different areas while employed at this facility. I worked on a Med-Surg, Orthopedic, and pediatric floor for 2 years. I obtained so much experience while working on this unit. It was such a broad spectrum of patients-from the very young to the very old that I assessed, managed, and treated. I will say that the bulk of my nursing knowledge was obtained while working on this unit. I then worked in a level III NICU/well baby nursery for 2 1/2 years. I cared for critically ill micro-preemies and well babies on this unit. I loved this job but needed more of a fixed schedule because my children were young at the time. I then worked in an Outpatient surgery clinic for 1 1/2 years. My nursing passion is with nursery/pediatrics so I left this unit to work in a pediatric clinic.

• Instructing patients, families, and caregivers on diagnoses, chronic disease management, and medication self-management.
• Recording patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
• Observing nurse administration of oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients as prescribed, monitoring responses for adverse reactions.
• Reading physician orders and administering therapies, treatments, and medications.
• Monitoring patient vitals post-surgery, managing medical equipment, and administering medications and IVs.
• Treating and monitoring wounds using liquid skin, sutures and bandages.

I began at this facility as a nurse extern while still in nursing school. After obtaining my degree, I then worked on a well baby nursery, OB/GYN, and pediatrics unit. I left this job because my goal was to work in a high level NICU that Chabert offered.

• Recording patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress, and medication side effects.
• Observing nurse administration of oral, intramuscular, and IV medications to patients as prescribed, monitoring responses for adverse reactions.
• Coordinating care with charge nurse and other staff through daily communication.
• Maintaining reports to provide oncoming shift with full patient status.