Ruth Fielder
Knoxville,TN
Summary
Dedicated home health nurse with a strong foundation in patient assessment and care planning. Proven ability to enhance patient outcomes through quality improvement initiatives and effective collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, ensuring personalized care and compliance with healthcare regulations.
Overview
1
1
Certification
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Home Health Nurse
Maxim Healthcare
Knoxville, Tennessee
12.2022 - Current
- Provided patient care in home settings following established healthcare plans.
- Administered medications and managed intravenous therapy for patients.
- Monitored vital signs and documented changes in patient conditions.
- Educated patients and families on health management and safety practices.
- Assisted in creating personalized care plans based on patient needs.
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living and functional mobility to increase comfort and quality of life.
- Offered emotional support to patients and families during challenging times.
- Maintained accurate records and ensured compliance with healthcare regulations.
Staff RN PACU
University of TN Medical Center
Knoxville, TN
04.2017 - 11.2020
- Collaborated with surgical teams to ensure smooth transitions from OR to PACU.
- Monitored patient vitals for complications post-anesthesia in recovery unit.
- Administered medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Responded promptly to patient needs, ensuring comfort and safety during recovery.
- Educated patients and families on recovery procedures and care requirements.
- Assisted in managing patient flow to optimize recovery room efficiency.
- Documented patient progress accurately in electronic health records system.
- Trained and mentored new nursing staff on PACU protocols and procedures.
Staff RN CVICU
University of TN Medical Center
Knoxville, TN
03.2016 - 09.2016
- Provided direct patient care in a CVICU setting, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care.
- Monitored cardiac patients, ensuring stability and timely interventions to enhance patient outcomes.
- Administered medications and treatments per physician orders and established protocols.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive patient care plans.
- Collaborated with physicians to develop comprehensive patient care plans while ensuring compliance with standards of practice.
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care, facilitating recovery and promoting adherence to treatment plans.
- Educated patients on disease process and self-care management techniques.
- Documented patient progress and changes in condition accurately in medical records.
- Trained new nursing staff on CVICU procedures and best practices for care delivery.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss plan of care for individual patients.
- Responded swiftly to emergency situations, prioritizing patient safety and comfort.
- Performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation in response to life-threatening situations.
- Managed time efficiently through prioritization and delegation of tasks as needed.
- Conducted regular patient assessments, tracking treatment progress and promptly addressing changes in symptoms or emergency needs.
- Administered medications and treatments according to physicians' orders.
- Monitored vital signs and responded appropriately to changes in patient's condition.
- Evaluated patient vital signs and laboratory data to assess needs and provide emergency interventions.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Provided emotional support and comfort during end-of-life situations.
- Assisted with physical examinations and diagnostic tests for patients in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit.
- Maintained safe environment by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
- Ensured that documentation is completed accurately and timely within established guidelines.
- Communicated effectively with all members of the healthcare team regarding changes in patient status.
- Performed bedside nursing procedures such as wound dressing changes, insertion of Foley catheters and chest tube management.
- Maintained accurate clinical records regarding patient care plans, assessments, interventions and evaluations.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess complex situations involving multiple cardiovascular diagnoses or complications requiring rapid assessment and intervention decisions.
- Supervised cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms and oxygen delivery devices.
- Assessed patient's psychosocial needs and referred to appropriate resources for assistance.
- Participated in unit-based quality improvement activities related to improved outcomes and cost savings initiatives.
- Took leave of absence for hip surgery
- Performed venipunctures, arterial puncture and line insertion, central line insertion and maintenance.
- Detected emerging problems by monitoring patients' behavior, vital signs and fluid intake and output.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Kept track of patients' changing pain levels and proactively worked to minimize excess pain or discomfort.
- Identified abnormal and critical respiratory patterns through direct pulmonary assessments.
- Kept track of patients' changing pain levels and proactively worked to minimize excess pain or discomfort.
- Identified abnormal and critical respiratory patterns through direct pulmonary assessments.
Staff RN/Charge RN ICU
TCMC
Knoxville, TN
06.2013 - 02.2016
Staff RN--Float pool and ER
Covenant Staffing and Parkwest Medical Center
07.2004 - 05.2013
- Functioned as an agency RN in multiple Covenant facilities, covering diverse units for 4 years before transitioning to the float pool at Parkwest for 1 year and spending 4 years in the ER.
- Administered medications and treatments per physician orders and established protocols.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop patient care plans effectively.
- Monitored vital signs and documented changes in patient conditions promptly.
Agency RN
ATC
Knoxville, TN
03.2003 - 05.2004
- Provided nursing care in the ICU and CCU at multiple hospitals as an agency RN.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by healthcare providers.
- Monitored patient vital signs and reported changes to the medical team.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop patient care plans.
Staff/Charge RN ICU
Coliseum Health Care
Macon, GA
12.1998 - 10.2002
Staff (Temp) RN, Step down/Telemetry
Yuma Regional Medical Center
Yuma, AZ
06.1998 - 09.1998
Staff RN--Charge RN CVICU
Medical Center of Central Georgia
Macon, GA
01.1992 - 04.1998
- Provided guidance as a preceptor to new hires and students.
Staff RN
University of Arizona Medical Center
Tucson, AZ
04.1990 - 01.1992
- Provided care for cardiac patients on MCU-step down, including post ablation, pre/post heart transplant, and stable LVADS and vents.
- Provided direct patient care within critical and acute settings.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to treatments.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop care plans.
Staff RN
Middle Georgia Hospital
Macon, GA
12.1989 - 03.1990
- Staff RN on Medical Surgical Tele unit...Rejoined Medical Surgical Tele unit as Staff RN following mission work..
- Administered medications and treatments per physician orders and patient care plans.
- Monitored vital signs and assessed patient conditions during daily rounds.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create comprehensive care plans.
Self-Reliance/Health Missionary
, Philippines
06.1988 - 11.1989
- Taught healthcare and self-reliance skills to communities in the Philippines for 18 months.
- Collaborated with local agencies to administer vaccines to underserved populations.
- Provided English and ASL lessons to refugees, facilitating their communication skills for future placements.
- Worked with Operation Smile for 2 weeks in OR and recovery.
Staff RN--Charge RN
Middle Georgia Hospital
Macon, GA
08.1987 - 06.1988
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team on Medical Surgical Tele floor to ensure optimal patient care.
- Promoted to Charge RN on the 3-11 shift after 3 months.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Middle Georgia College
Cochran, GASkills
- Patient assessment
- Care planning
- Medication administration
- Vital signs monitoring
- Electronic health records
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Quality improvement initiatives
- Patient education
- Emergency response
- Crisis intervention
- Effective communication
Certification
- CPR BLS, current
- ACLS, current
Personal Information
Title: RN
Timeline
Home Health Nurse
Maxim Healthcare
12.2022 - Current
Staff RN PACU
University of TN Medical Center
04.2017 - 11.2020
Staff RN CVICU
University of TN Medical Center
03.2016 - 09.2016
Staff RN/Charge RN ICU
TCMC
06.2013 - 02.2016
Staff RN--Float pool and ER
Covenant Staffing and Parkwest Medical Center
07.2004 - 05.2013
Agency RN
ATC
03.2003 - 05.2004
Staff/Charge RN ICU
Coliseum Health Care
12.1998 - 10.2002
Staff (Temp) RN, Step down/Telemetry
Yuma Regional Medical Center
06.1998 - 09.1998
Staff RN--Charge RN CVICU
Medical Center of Central Georgia
01.1992 - 04.1998
Staff RN
University of Arizona Medical Center
04.1990 - 01.1992
Staff RN
Middle Georgia Hospital
12.1989 - 03.1990
Self-Reliance/Health Missionary
06.1988 - 11.1989
Staff RN--Charge RN
Middle Georgia Hospital
08.1987 - 06.1988
Associate of Science - Nursing
Middle Georgia College