Sharon Whitlow
Antioch,TN
Summary
Caring, hardworking and service-oriented RN with more than 30 years of experience.
Worked in the following fields during career; Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Rehab, LTC, utilization review.
Well versed in offering evidence based, therapeutic care for patients dealing with several type illnesses and disorders. Collaborative motivational leader with experience in training new hires.
Extensively trained registered nurse with strong clinical, administrative, and problem solving abilities.
Proactive and organized with a passionate commitment to exceptional patient care. Have twenty plus years of management and supervisory skills. Hold a Tennessee RN multi-state license. Always willing to learn new skills.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
RN Floor Nurse
Nashville Center For Rehabilitation And Healing
04.2023 - Current
- Improved patient care by providing compassionate and comprehensive nursing support on busy admission rehab floor 24 patients.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by delivering personalized care plans tailored to individual needs.
- Reduced medication errors through vigilant monitoring and proper documentation of administered medications and treatments.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop optimal care plans, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
Registered Nurse
Shiftkey
11.2022 - Current
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and providing individualized care.
- Enhanced patient safety by conducting thorough assessments, identifying potential risks, and addressing concerns promptly.
- Contributed to reduction in hospital-acquired infections through strict adherence to infection control protocols and proper hand hygiene.
- Promoted teamwork and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care planning and implementation.
- Provided emotional support for patients and families during difficult times, helping them navigate the healthcare system with compassion and understanding.
- Streamlined workflow processes within nursing unit to maximize efficiency while maintaining exceptional patient care standards.
- Educated patients on disease prevention and management strategies, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health.
- Mentored new nurses as they transitioned into practice, providing guidance and support to promote professional growth.
- Served as a strong advocate for patients'' rights, ensuring that their needs were met in accordance with ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements.
- Achieved timely medication administration by utilizing effective time management skills and prioritizing critical tasks.
- Collaborated with physicians to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs.
- Consistently maintained accurate documentation of all relevant information related to patient progress, treatments administered and other pertinent data.
- Facilitated smooth transitions of care for patients by effectively communicating with other healthcare providers.
- Participated in staff meetings and continuing education programs to stay current on best practices and maintain licensure requirements.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Effectively prioritized assignments, executing care based on each patient's relative condition and delegating tasks to available personnel deliver safe and efficient care.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Identified patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with patients and families.
- Managed elements of patient care from admission to discharge or transfer to other units.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Gathered patient health data through interviews and observation, documenting data in electronic records.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
Registered Nurse
Aya Healthcare
10.2020 - 09.2022
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Reduced hospital readmissions through effective discharge planning, patient education, and follow-up care coordination.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication effectiveness and any side effects
- Consistently assessed and evaluated patient's health needs by coordinating care across disciplines to create, implement and modify personalized care plans.
- Implemented patient admission and discharge process per policy and procedure to coordinate efficient in patient care and appropriate discharge planning.
- cultivated working partnerships with patients and co-workers using feedback and clinical data to improve quality care and patient outcomes.
- Supervision of RN, LPN, ancillary staff delegating assignments and monitoring quality of care
Registered Nurse
Angel Healthcare Staffing
03.2015 - 10.2020
- Enhanced patient care by developing and implementing individualized nursing plans for medical-surgical patients.
- Reduced risk of complications by closely monitoring vital signs and adjusting treatments as necessary.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to provide comprehensive patient care during hospitalization and discharge planning.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, empathetic, and professional nursing care tailored to each patient''s needs.
- Streamlined medication administration processes, ensuring timely delivery and accuracy in dosage calculations.
- Promoted patient safety through adherence to infection control protocols and implementation of fall prevention strategies.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic procedures such as biopsies, lumbar punctures, and bronchoscopies for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Educated patients and their families on disease processes, treatment options, and self-care techniques for optimal recovery outcomes.
- Served as preceptor to new staff members, guiding them through orientation processes and offering mentorship during their transition into medical-surgical unit.
- Demonstrated strong critical thinking skills in assessing patients'' conditions quickly and accurately, initiating appropriate interventions when needed.
- Contributed to quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing nursing practice standards within medical-surgical unit.
- Utilized electronic health record systems efficiently for maintaining accurate documentation of nursing assessments, interventions, evaluations, and patient education efforts.
- Provided wound care management for diverse range of surgical incisions, pressure ulcers, burns, or other wounds requiring skilled interventions.
- Participated in interdisciplinary rounds, advocating for patients'' needs and collaborating on care plans to ensure optimal outcomes.
- Recognized and reported changes in patients'' conditions promptly, initiating appropriate interventions or escalating concerns to physicians as needed.
- Established rapport with patients and families through effective communication and active listening skills, fostering trust and mutual respect during healing process.
- Managed caseload of 20 patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, and wound care.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Monitored patient vital signs to perform thorough condition assessments.
- Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures as needed.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Reduced hospital readmissions through effective discharge planning, patient education, and follow-up care coordination.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
Program Manager
Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute
03.1993 - 03.2019
- Improved program efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing time-saving solutions.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Enhanced project visibility with regular status updates, leading to increased stakeholder engagement.
- Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for team.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Provided clinical leadership and oversight of ninety-two bed acute psychiatric/medical unit which included daily and monthly staff scheduling
- Assisted in training of new hires to meet patient care goals, champion standards of care to improve patient overall care satisfaction
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN12.1990
Practical Nursing Certificate - Nursing
Cincinnati School of Practical Nursing
Cincinnati, OH03.1981
High School Diploma -
Pearl Senior High School
Nashville, TN06.1973
Skills
- Clinical judgment
- Compassionate Care
- HIPAA Compliance
- Vital signs monitoring
- Physical assessments
- Discharge Planning
- Unit Administration
- Medical assessment
- Medical Recordkeeping
- Wound Care
- Chronic Disease Management
- Emergency Response
- Mobility Assistance
- Care Planning
- Health screening
- Vaccine administration
- Nursing staff leadership
- Patient Management
- Precepting
- Diabetes management
- BAC screening/drug screen collection
- Diabetes and nutrition education
- Patient care planning
- Patient Monitoring
- Preventive health
- Proper catheter insertion/removal
- Patient Evaluation
- Family Education
- Administering immunizations
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- EMR / EHR
- Infection control measures
- Taking vital signs
- Medication and IV administration
- Patient Care psychiatric, medical, surgical
- Nursing leadership
- Collaborating with other disciplines to improve patient care and outcome
- Operation of various medical equipment
Timeline
RN Floor Nurse
Nashville Center For Rehabilitation And Healing
04.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse
Shiftkey
11.2022 - Current
Registered Nurse
Aya Healthcare
10.2020 - 09.2022
Registered Nurse
Angel Healthcare Staffing
03.2015 - 10.2020
Program Manager
Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute
03.1993 - 03.2019
Associate of Science - Nursing
Tennessee State University
Practical Nursing Certificate - Nursing
Cincinnati School of Practical Nursing
High School Diploma -
Pearl Senior High School
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