Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Daisy Award 2021
Timeline
Generic

Therese Swanson

Seattle

Summary

Patient-oriented Nurse with 40 years of diverse experience in direct patient care. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments. Offering expertise with PREP/PACU specialty.


Detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication and project management skills. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in fast-paced environments. Recognized for taking proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues, with focus on optimizing processes and supporting team objectives.

Overview

42
42
years of professional experience

Work History

Registered Nurse PREP/PACU

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
03.1986 - Current
  • Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
  • Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
  • Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
  • Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
  • Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
  • Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
  • Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
  • Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
  • Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
  • 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.
  • Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.

Registered Nurse Staff, PACU

First Hill Surgery Center
03.1990 - 10.2016

Responsibilities included pre anesthesia assessments, admission interview, post op care after general anesthesia with the goal of same day discharge.

  • Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
  • Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
  • Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
  • Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.

School Nurse

Holy Rosary Parish School
09.1996 - 06.2007
  • Screened for infectious diseases to help prevent spreading within school community.
  • Enhanced school safety by collaborating with staff, parents, and community partners in developing emergency response plans. Created emergency kits for playground staff.
  • Educated students on various health topics to promote overall health and wellbeing.
  • Administered medication to students as prescribed by physicians to provide necessary treatment and manage health conditions.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Performed health screening for students and faculty by conducting vision, hearing and scoliosis evaluations.
  • Improved overall student health by implementing comprehensive health education programs and preventive measures. Facilitated yearly BLS certification for staff.
  • Managed immunization compliance within the school population to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit

Virginia Mason Medical Center
03.1983 - 03.1986
  • Managed caseload of [Number] patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, and wound care.
  • Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
  • Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
  • Improved patient outcomes by providing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
  • Primary Care for Neuo/Neurosurgery and Respiratory patients

Education

Associate of Arts - Nursing

St Mary's College
Minneapolis, MN
06-1982

Skills

  • Medication and IV administration
  • Direct patient care, PREP/PACU
  • Patient assessments, data collection
  • Patient and family advocacy
  • Patient education and counseling
  • Patient monitoring, vital signs, glucose monitoring
  • Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification
  • Call triaging,post op phone calls
  • Compassionate RN with almost 40 years of diverse nursing experience with a focus on pre/post op anesthesia/surgical care
  • Participated in Kiazen Events involving Discharge Instructions and Post Anesthesia Phone Calls

Accomplishments

  • Quality Assurance - Ensured and enforced medical office compliance with HIPAA, OSHA and CLIA regulations for maximum quality and control.
  • Clinical Skills - Monitored patients' respiration activity, blood pressure and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration.
  • Surgical Preparation - Assisted in patient surgery preparation by administering proper medication, monitoring patients' conditions and charting abnormalities.

Daisy Award 2021

I was nominated for a Daisy Award by a patient that I took care of in the PREP/PACU area, He had Parkinson's Disease, his wife was with him. She had just recently moved him to an Assisted Living as she could no longer safely transfer him. He was scheduled for a day procedure, I was able to care for him from his admission to discharge. 

Timeline

School Nurse

Holy Rosary Parish School
09.1996 - 06.2007

Registered Nurse Staff, PACU

First Hill Surgery Center
03.1990 - 10.2016

Registered Nurse PREP/PACU

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
03.1986 - Current

Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit

Virginia Mason Medical Center
03.1983 - 03.1986

Associate of Arts - Nursing

St Mary's College
Therese Swanson