Susan Nichols
Fort Payne,AL
Summary
Knowledgeable and proactive ICU Registered Nurse with proven skills in coordinating and implementing treatment plans. Handles needs of patients with common presentations and complex cases, including responding expertly to diverse emergencies. Calm and insightful during stressful situations. Dedicated Critical Care Registered Nurse with 14 years of direct patient care experience. Adept at doctor communication and patient education with extensive knowledge of ICU and Dialysis treatments and planning long-term for patients. Successful at advocating patient needs and quick diagnoses.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
AdventHealth Redmond
Rome, GA
05.2010 - Current
- Handled ventilator support, feeding tubes and central lines.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures, ensuring accurate treatment administration and timely patient recovery.
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing individualized care plans for critically ill patients.
- Reduced patient complications by promptly identifying changes in condition and initiating appropriate interventions.
- Increased family involvement in patient care by providing timely updates on their loved one''s progress and addressing any concerns or questions they may have had.
- Identified patients' current needs through careful observation, vitals monitoring and discussions with loved ones or patients.
- Facilitated smooth patient transitions from the ICU to other units by providing detailed reports and recommendations for ongoing care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to establish optimal care plans, resulting in improved patient satisfaction.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to remain current on best practices and advancements within the field of critical care nursing.
- Mentored new nursing staff, facilitating smooth integration into the ICU unit and promoting a supportive workplace culture.
- Cared for wounds such as surgical sites and pressure sores to prevent infection and promote healing.
- Fostered caring, compassionate and respectful care environment by treating every patient with professionalism.
- Optimized resource utilization within the Intensive Care Unit by accurately documenting all clinical data required for billing purposes.
- Explained health care issues and ramifications to patients and families to promote informed medical care choices.
- Recorded patients' medical status and treatment details in electronic charts to accurately document medical care.
- Trained and coached new employees on protocols and best practices to promote ideal patient outcomes.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Atrium Healthcare Floyd
Rome, GA
06.2020 - 03.2024
- Conducted neurological assessments at regular intervals, detecting subtle changes in clinical status that could signal worsening conditions or potential complications.
- Implemented evidence-based strategies to prevent pressure injuries in high-risk patients, reducing overall incidence rates on the unit.
- Developed individualized nursing care plans based on thorough assessments of each patient''s unique needs and goals for recovery.
- Safely titrated vasoactive medications according to hemodynamic parameters, optimizing blood pressure management for critically ill patients.
- Advocated for patients'' rights and autonomy, creating an environment of trust and respect that empowered individuals to participate actively in their own healthcare decisions.
- Administered medications accurately and safely, following hospital protocols and standards of practice.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care, streamlining communication among healthcare professionals.
- Maintained accurate documentation of all nursing interventions and ongoing assessments, contributing to clear communication among healthcare team members.
- Managed ventilator settings for critically ill patients, ensuring optimal respiratory support while minimizing complications.
- Assisted physicians during complex bedside procedures such as lumbar punctures or central line insertions, ensuring successful outcomes and minimal discomfort for patients.
- Enhanced patient care by consistently monitoring neuro ICU patients and promptly addressing any changes in condition.
- Provided emotional support to patients'' families, easing anxieties and guiding them through the complex medical environment.
- Reduced incidences of hospital-acquired infections through strict adherence to infection control policies and procedures.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
Registered Nurse
Harbin Clinic
Rome, GA
05.2015 - 05.2023
- Managed acute dialysis patients in three hospitals.
- Created night shift for Harbin Clinic Acutes.
- Created plans of care and executed physician orders for emergent and inpatient dialysis treatments.
- Administer medications according to protocol.
- Managed emergent open heart patients that were fluid overloaded after bypass. Worked with nephrology and cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the best care of these patients.
- Trained new employees using care and diligence.
- Coordinated care throughout patients hospital stay.
Education
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, AL05.2010
Skills
- Hemodynamics monitoring
- ECG
- Intravenous therapy
- Neurological monitoring
- Compassionate Care
- Advanced Life Support
- Respiratory maintenance
- Metabolic function monitoring
- Ethical Practice
- Renal function management
- End of life care
- Clinical judgment
- Cardiac monitors
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Problem-Solving
- Patient Advocacy
- Honest and Dependable
- Adaptable and Flexible
- Medication Administration
- Blood Transfusion Administration
- Emotional Support
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Analytical Thinking
- Family advocacy
- Medical Device Monitoring
- Initial Trauma Life Support
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Atrium Healthcare Floyd
06.2020 - 03.2024
Registered Nurse
Harbin Clinic
05.2015 - 05.2023
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
AdventHealth Redmond
05.2010 - Current
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
Northeast Alabama Community College