Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Suzanne Cannon

Melbourne,FL

Summary

I am a hardworking, fun loving, compassionate nurse with 45 years working in the field. I still love my career and look forward to continuing my journey to provide quality care to all patients. Experienced healthcare professional skilled in patient care, critical thinking, and communication. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving optimal patient outcomes. Reliable and adaptable, ensuring efficient and compassionate care in dynamic environments. Equipped with expertise in medical procedures, patient assessments, and care coordination.

Overview

42
42
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Hospice Nurse

Health First Medical Center
07.2022 - Current
  • Managed pain effectively by closely monitoring symptoms and adjusting medications accordingly.
  • Improved patient comfort by providing compassionate end-of-life care and symptom management.
  • Coordinated with physicians to adjust medications as needed for optimal palliative care outcomes.
  • Offered listening ear to both patients and loved ones to meet emotional and mental, as well as physical needs.
  • Promoted a peaceful and supportive environment for patients and their families during the end-of-life transition.
  • Advocated for patients'' wishes regarding medical treatment options, respecting cultural beliefs and values throughout the decision-making process.
  • Developed and implemented individualized care plan for each hospice patient while following physician instructions.
  • Established and maintained successful relationships with patients, families and physicians by utilizing exemplary communication and active listening skills.
  • Assisted in training new hospice nurses, sharing expertise in end-of-life care best practices.
  • Conducted comprehensive assessments of patients'' conditions to determine appropriate care plan interventions.
  • Educated families on pain management techniques, enhancing their ability to support their loved ones.
  • Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times.
  • Enhanced family understanding of the hospice process through clear communication and education.

Diabetes Nurse Educator

Rochester Regional Health System
05.2020 - 06.2022
  • Reduced hospital readmission rates through effective discharge planning and follow-up care coordination.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of educational interventions through ongoing monitoring of patient progress, adjusting approaches when necessary for maximum impact.
  • Participated in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall standard of diabetes management within the healthcare setting.
  • Led training sessions for nursing staff on best practices in diabetes care, resulting in enhanced clinical competence across the team.
  • Continually updated professional knowledge through participation in educational conferences and workshops, ensuring currency with evolving trends in diabetes care.
  • Mentored new Diabetes Nurse Educators during their orientation period, sharing insights from experience and providing constructive feedback on performance.
  • Enhanced patient understanding of disease management by providing tailored education on medication, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.
  • Facilitated support groups for individuals living with diabetes, promoting peer connections and empowering self-advocacy skills.
  • Promoted available resources and connected individuals with services.
  • Streamlined documentation processes to maintain accurate records of patient interactions while minimizing time spent on administrative tasks.
  • Collaborated with healthcare team members to optimize treatment plans for better blood sugar control and overall health.
  • Advocated for patients within multidisciplinary settings to ensure their needs were considered during care planning discussions.
  • Acted as a resource for colleagues seeking guidance on complex diabetes cases, offering expert consultation to improve patient care delivery.

Registered Nurse, Diabetes Educator

Honeoye Valley Family Practice
11.1982 - 05.2020
  • Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
  • Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
  • Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
  • Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
  • Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
  • Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
  • Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
  • Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
  • Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
  • Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
  • Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
  • Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
  • Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
  • Consulted with physicians to develop comprehensive care plans for patients with diabetes, resulting in better overall health.
  • Promoted positive behavior change among patients by providing guidance on nutrition, exercise, medication adherence, blood glucose monitoring techniques, and stress management strategies.
  • Established strong rapport with patients and their families, fostering trust and open communication throughout the education process.
  • Improved patient outcomes by developing personalized diabetes education plans tailored to individual needs.
  • Stayed current on emerging research related to diabetes treatment and education, integrating new findings into practice as appropriate.
  • Conducted assessments of newly diagnosed diabetics, identifying learning needs and establishing goals for individualized education programs.
  • Provided ongoing support for patients through follow-up appointments and phone consultations, enhancing their ability to manage their condition independently.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
  • Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
  • Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.

Education

BSN - Nursing

Chamberlain College of Nursing
Melbourne, FL
12.2025

Associate of Applied Science - Nursing

Alfred State College
Alfred, NY
05-1980

Skills

  • Compassionate care
  • Care planning
  • Emergency response
  • Family education
  • Physician communication
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Admissions support
  • Evidence-based care
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Multitasking
  • Compassionate and caring

Certification

  • Registered Nurse License (RN) - State Board of Nursing.-Florida and New York State
  • Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
  • Certified Diabetes Educator
  • American Red Cross Instructor



Interests

In my free time, I enjoy biking, walking ,reading , playing with my grandchildren and walking on the beach

Timeline

Hospice Nurse

Health First Medical Center
07.2022 - Current

Diabetes Nurse Educator

Rochester Regional Health System
05.2020 - 06.2022

Registered Nurse, Diabetes Educator

Honeoye Valley Family Practice
11.1982 - 05.2020

BSN - Nursing

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Associate of Applied Science - Nursing

Alfred State College
Suzanne Cannon