Shirley LaTour

• Improves patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and protocols.
• Contributes to the development of targeted educational materials for both patients' families.
• Participates in continuing education opportunities to stay current on industry advancements and enhance clinical expertise continually.
• Promotes a culture of safety within the unit by consistently adhering to infection control protocols and advocating for safe patient handling practices.
• Serves as a liaison between physicians and patients, ensuring clear communication and understanding of treatment plans.
• Champions patient advocacy, addressing concerns promptly and working toward satisfactory resolutions.
• Maintains accurate documentation in electronic health records systems while safeguarding sensitive patient information.

Enhances student retention of CPR knowledge through scenario-based training exercises and demonstrations.

• Consistently meets or exceeds annual goals for number of certified individuals within target communities served by organization efforts promoting lifesaving skills acquisition initiatives.
• Ensures compliance with American Heart Association guidelines in all aspects of CPR course delivery.
• Organizes special training sessions for high-risk groups, increasing awareness of the importance of early intervention in emergency situations involving cardiac arrest or respiratory distress.
• Optimizes class sizes to facilitate personalized instruction while maintaining accessibility for community members seeking certification or recertification opportunities.
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• Supervised eight RNs and three Certified Nurse Assistants in the care of post-operative anesthesia patients.
• Responsible for direct/indirect nursing care of patients recovering from a variety of surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures based on physician’s medical plan and nursing practice.
• Trained department staff in Point of Care Testing and making sure compliance with regulatory policy, also ensured the new Pharmacy medication fingerprinting system was implemented successfully.
• Mitigated risk for potential complications through diligent assessment of post-operative patients' needs.
• Collaborated with surgeons and anesthesiologists for seamless patient hand-offs during preoperative and postoperative stages; thereby contributing to optimal patient outcomes.
• Identified potential areas for improvement and implemented evidence-based changes to enhance patient care while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Advocated for patients and their families to ensure that they received the highest quality of care.
• Maintained strict compliance with safety regulations, infection control protocols, and hospital policies at all times in the PACU environment.
• Ensured timely patient recovery by closely monitoring vital signs, pain levels, and postoperative complications.
• Reduced medication errors by implementing standardized medication administration procedures based on best practices.

• Skillfully managed crises situations involving aggressive behavior or medical emergencies by applying appropriate de-escalation techniques or initiating lifesaving interventions as needed.
• Monitored patient reactions after administering medications, IV therapies, blood transfusions and iron infusions.
• Ensured health care promotion of both mother and newborn by incorporating interdisciplinary and supportive care services to ensure goals were met for patients at the time of discharge.
• Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and maintaining a strong focus on individualized care.
• Served as a patient advocate, ensuring that patients'' needs were met, their rights respected, and their concerns addressed promptly.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop holistic care plans that addressed patients'' physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
• Educated patients on disease management strategies, self-care techniques, and available community resources to promote lasting wellness beyond their hospital stay.
• Served as a preceptor for new nursing staff members, providing guidance and mentorship to foster professional growth and development.
• Enhanced the efficiency of the clinical team through effective communication, collaboration, and delegation of tasks.
• Maintained accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with regulatory standards.
• Provided professional nursing care to routine and complicated antepartum and postpartum women as well as low and high risk newborns
• Maintained 100% for over 50 nursing personnel competency folders resulting in zero findings during Joint Commission Survey