Susan Cunningham
Taylorsville,KY
Summary
Driven Registered Nurse with 21 years of experience caring for patients , 15 within oncology setting. Smoothly deliver comprehensive patient care and delegate tasks according to patient needs and personnel skillsets. Dedicated to providing top quality care within multidisciplinary team environment.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
RN
Norton Cancer Institute
Louisville, KY
12.2008 - Current
- Assessed patient health and developed individualized care plans accordingly.
- Provided direct nursing care to patients, including administering medications, wound care, and IV therapy.
- Educated patients on health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment options.
- Performed physical examinations and assessments of patients' medical histories.
- Monitored vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate, pulse rate and weight.
- Collaborated with physicians in developing patient-specific treatment plans.
- Assisted doctors during medical procedures.
- Responded quickly to life-threatening situations by providing appropriate interventions.
- Ensured compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient records in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Counseled patients on lifestyle changes that could improve their overall health outcomes.
- Advised family members on the best course of action for their loved ones' healthcare needs.
- Managed complex cases involving multiple diagnoses or treatments.
- Provided emotional support to families facing difficult decisions about a loved one's care.
- Worked closely with other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
- Carried out physician orders regarding tests or medication administration accurately and safely.
- Identified potential safety hazards in the environment or among patients' behaviors.
- Attended continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on current trends in nursing practice.
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Evaluated patients, recognized and addressed complications and coordinated treatment with other members of critical care team.
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.
- Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
- Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
- Oversaw patient admission and discharge processes to coordinate related paperwork.
- Stocked clinical workstations and procedure rooms with necessary supplies.
- Referred patients to specialized health resources or community agencies to furnish additional assistance.
RN
Norton Healthcare
Louisville, KY
12.2009 - 12.2011
- Provided direct care to critically ill patients including administering medications, performing treatments and providing emotional support.
- Assessed, monitored and evaluated patient's condition in the ICU.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Ensured appropriate documentation of patient care activities according to established standards.
- Performed diagnostic tests such as EKGs, arterial blood gases, chest X-rays and lab work.
- Maintained accurate records of vital signs, fluid intake and output levels, daily weights and laboratory results.
- Responded promptly to changes in a patient's condition by initiating life saving interventions as needed.
- Managed ventilators, tracheostomy tubes and intravenous lines while monitoring oxygenation levels and hemodynamic parameters.
- Monitored cardiac rhythms on telemetry monitors; recognized arrhythmias and initiated corrective measures when necessary.
- Counseled patients' families regarding end-of-life decisions, health maintenance or any other relevant topics related to their loved ones' care plan.
- Participated in interdisciplinary rounds to discuss best practices for current patients in the ICU setting.
- Performed bedside procedures such as wound dressing changes, nasogastric tube placement or insertion of urinary catheters as required.
- Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes.
- Initiated early mobilization protocols for immobile patients requiring critical care services.
- Provided education about disease processes and self-care management techniques to patients upon discharge from the unit.
- Administered parenteral nutrition according to physician orders while closely monitoring electrolyte balance.
- Assisted physicians during invasive procedures such as intubations or bronchoscopies.
- Developed relationships with families of long term ICU residents by offering emotional support throughout their stay.
- Supervised nursing students assigned to the unit providing guidance whenever needed.
- Completed patient assessments, triaged and recorded patient histories, symptoms and observations.
RN
Amedisys Home Health
Louisville, KY
03.2006 - 03.2008
- Assessed patient health by conducting physical examinations and evaluating medical histories.
- Provided home health care services such as wound care, medication administration, and IV therapy.
- Developed personalized care plans for patients based on individual needs.
- Educated patients and families about disease management, lifestyle changes, nutrition, and preventive healthcare measures.
- Instructed family members in basic nursing skills including wound care, injections, catheterization, and other treatments as ordered by the physician.
- Performed assessments of the patient's physical condition to determine their level of function and need for assistance with activities of daily living.
- Monitored vital signs such as blood pressure or pulse rate to detect any changes in a patient's condition.
- Initiated referrals to appropriate community resources when needed.
- Provided emotional support and counseling to patients facing difficult decisions regarding their health care options.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss the progress of each patient's treatment plan.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning with physicians, social workers, case managers, therapists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care plan.
- Maintained accurate records of all visits made to patients' homes along with any changes in their conditions or treatments prescribed by physicians.
- Ensured quality assurance standards are met through regular chart audits and review processes.
- Collaborated with local agencies to ensure continuity of care upon discharge from home health services.
Rn
Norton Suburban Hospital
Louisville, KY
12.2002 - 03.2005
- Assessed and monitored vital signs of critically ill patients.
- Provided care to a variety of complex medical and surgical patients.
- Provided direct nursing care to patients, including administering medications, wound care, and IV therapy.
- Assessed patient health and developed individualized care plans accordingly.
- Educated patients on health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment options.
- Performed physical examinations and assessments of patients' medical histories.
- Monitored vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate, pulse rate and weight.
- Collaborated with physicians in developing patient-specific treatment plans.
- Assisted doctors during medical procedures.
- Responded quickly to life-threatening situations by providing appropriate interventions.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient records in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Counseled patients on lifestyle changes that could improve their overall health outcomes.
- Advised family members on the best course of action for their loved ones' healthcare needs.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Jefferson Community And Technical College
Louisville, KY12-2002
Skills
- Data Collection
- Health Promotion
- Patient Management
- Electronic Health Records Management
- Patient and family advocacy
- Compassion and Empathy
- Medical assessment
- Call triaging
- Patient Evaluation
- EMR Systems
- Medical Records Management
- Physical assessments
- Patient Assessments
- Patient care planning
- Patient education and counseling
- Medication Administration
- Direct and Indirect Patient Care
- Medical Screening
- Patient Relations
- Emergency Care
- IV drug therapy management
References
- Nicole Crawford, Aprn-502-608-8389
- David Figge, Aprn-502-751-0126
- Kassie Fox, Aprn-217-691-8576
- Lisa Bibb, RN-502-523-9596
Timeline
RN
Norton Healthcare
12.2009 - 12.2011
RN
Norton Cancer Institute
12.2008 - Current
RN
Amedisys Home Health
03.2006 - 03.2008
Rn
Norton Suburban Hospital
12.2002 - 03.2005
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Jefferson Community And Technical College
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