Saara Viitanen RN
Irvine,CA
Summary
Experienced International Registered Nurse with 15+ years of experience overseas and past 5 years in California across a variety of medical and surgical fields providing quality care, assessing patient health problems, maintaining medical records, and executing nursing care plans. Licensed to practice in California, and possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, PACU
PAVILION SURGERY CENTER
03.2023 - Current
- Monitor adult and pediatric patient vitals post-surgery, manage medical equipment, and administer medications as needed. Reduced complications by promptly identifying and addressing post-operative issues in outpatient PACU patients.
- Facilitate transition to home care by answering questions, and providing patients with continued care information and discharge instructions.
- Contributed to efficient unit operations by assisting in orientation of new staff members to PACU procedures and best practices.
- Helping the unit as a relieve charge nurse.
Registered Nurse, Pre Op/PACU
HOAG SURGERY CENTER, Irvine
06.2022 - 02.2023
- Manage procedures and treatments for pre- and post-operative performances in outpatient surgery setting for various types of surgeries
- Assess, instruct and prepare patients prior to surgery
- Obtain and record vital statistics to ensure readiness for surgical procedure
- Initiate IV’s and ensure patients were informed about procedures
- Assure paperwork such as consents are properly documented
- Monitor adult and pediatric patient vitals post-surgery, manage medical equipment, and administer medications as needed
- Facilitate transition to home care by answering questions, and providing patients with continued care information and discharge instructions.
Registered Nurse
ENCOMPASS HEALTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL, Tustin
11.2021 - 06.2022
- Collaborated and coordinated with physicians and ancillary services in planning and implementing patient's plan of care and provided patient teaching as appropriate
- Skilled nurse responsibilities complete patient assessment, wound assessment and care, medicine administration
- Included but not limited to working with stroke, brain injured and spinal cord patients.
Registered Nurse
GARDEN PARK CARE CENTER, Garden Grove
04.2021 - 11.2021
- Treating and monitoring patients in subacute unit. Handling all aspects of treatment from medications to wound care monitoring 7-10 patients per shift
- Monitor and communicate patient health status with interdisciplinary team of nurses and patient care professionals.
Registered Nurse
KINDRED HOSPITAL, Santa Ana
12.2020 - 03.2021
- Patient care in medical-surgical-telemetry unit handling all aspects of treatment from medications to wound care monitoring 5-10 patients per shift
- Performed lab tests and communicated results
- Monitored and communicated patient health status with interdisciplinary team of nurses and patient care professionals.
Registered Nurse Supervisor
HOME HEALTH CARE, Lempaala, Finland
01.2017 - 08.2017
- Coordinated with nursing and medical staff and family members to ensure adequate care for each patient in home setting
- Provided direct patient care and teaching among other things complicated wound care and IV-therapy
Registered Nurse
TAMPERE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, Finland
01.2005 - 12.2016
- In urological outpatient unit interviewed patients to obtain medical information, evaluated care needs and maintained patient flow
- Labs: Routine specimens collection and processing, phlebotomy, identified abnormal results and referred to correct clinical scientist
- Procedures: Set up and break down room/trays /equipment for prostate biopsies, cystoscopies, Urodynamic testing and BCG instillations
- Provided direct patient care and ensured patient wellbeing and safety
- Also floated to bedside units caring for patients from various medical-surgical fields including urological, gastroenterological, oncological, neurosurgical and vascular units,
- Duties included but were not limited to wound and stoma care, IV-therapy, airway management and hemodynamic monitoring, pre- and post surgical care.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Pirkanmaa School of Health Care
Tampere, Finland12.2004
Skills
- Anesthesia recovery
- Discharge Planning
- Patient Education
- Relieve Charge nurse
Certification
- Registered Nurse, California, RN95232558, 1/31/2026
- Basic Life Support (BLS), 02/01/26
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), 02/01/26
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), 02/01/26
Timeline
Registered Nurse, PACU
PAVILION SURGERY CENTER
03.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse, Pre Op/PACU
HOAG SURGERY CENTER, Irvine
06.2022 - 02.2023
Registered Nurse
ENCOMPASS HEALTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL, Tustin
11.2021 - 06.2022
Registered Nurse
GARDEN PARK CARE CENTER, Garden Grove
04.2021 - 11.2021
Registered Nurse
KINDRED HOSPITAL, Santa Ana
12.2020 - 03.2021
Registered Nurse Supervisor
HOME HEALTH CARE, Lempaala, Finland
01.2017 - 08.2017
Registered Nurse
TAMPERE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, Finland
01.2005 - 12.2016
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Pirkanmaa School of Health Care
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