Miriam Spearson
Helena,MT
Summary
Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong worth ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Urology Nurse
Veterans Health Administration
Fort Harrison, MT
10.2021 - Current
- Assisted three different urologists in the diagnosis and treatment of urology-related conditions.
- Monitored vital signs after in office urological procedures, and provided patient education regarding post procedural instructions.
- Performed catheterization procedures, bladder scans, and administration of intravesical bladder medication to patients with bladder cancer.
- Conducted physical assessments to identify any potential issues with patients' urinary systems.
- Instructed patients on proper self-care techniques for managing their urological problems at home.
- Documented patient progress notes according to established guidelines and protocols.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive plans of care for each individual patient.
- Ordered diagnostic tests such as ultrasounds or CT scans when necessary to assess a patient's condition further.
- Educated patients and families about various treatments options available for urological disorders.
- Coordinated referrals to specialists when appropriate for further evaluation or management of specific conditions.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations requiring immediate assessment and intervention.
- Prepared surgical equipment and provided assistance to urologists during outpatient procedures such as vasectomies, prostate biopsies, and cystoscopies.
- Educated patients on how to do intermittent self catheterizations at home.
- Maintained accurate records of all services rendered in accordance with applicable standards of practice.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families dealing with difficult diagnoses or prognoses.
- Served as a resource person for nursing staff members seeking advice or clarification on urology-related topics.
- Attended continuing education classes to stay up-to-date on current trends in the field of urology nursing.
- Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
- Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows, triaged patient phone calls, and answered patient secure messages in a timely manner.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Trained and mentored new RNs and nursing students on best practices, hospital policies, and standards of care.
- Stocked clinical workstations and procedure rooms with necessary supplies.
Med/Surgical Nurse
Veterans Health Administration
Fort Harrison, MT
02.2013 - 10.2021
- Supervised CNAs and other staff delivering care in the med/surg setting by coaching and supporting as the charge nurse.
- Performed wound dressing changes following prescribed orders from the physician.
- Assisted patients in ambulating and transferring to beds, wheelchairs, examination tables, and other areas of the hospital.
- Performed patient assessments including vital signs, physical examinations, height and weight measurements, and documentation of findings.
- Provided education on medications, treatments, and health maintenance activities to patients and families.
- Monitored patient safety by maintaining a safe environment for all staff members, visitors and patients.
- Identified changes in patient condition by observing skin color, pulse rate, breathing rate, blood pressure or other indicators; notifying supervisor as necessary.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss plan of care for individual patients.
- Communicated effectively with physicians regarding changes in patient status or treatment plans.
- Coordinated discharge planning with social workers and home healthcare personnel to ensure continuity of care after leaving the facility.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while delivering quality patient care.
- Assessed pain levels using appropriate scales such as visual analog scale or numerical rating scale.
- Implemented infection control measures such as hand hygiene according to hospital policies.
- Provided emotional support and reassurance to family members during times of distress.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions through chart reviews or direct observation.
- Completed required forms and chart documentation of vital signs, medications and other information.
- Interpreted and implemented individual care plans.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Modified patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions.
- Coordinated patient admissions, transfers and discharges from the unit.
- Assessed staffing levels according to acuity of patients' conditions.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining focus on patient safety.
- Adhered to legal and ethical standards of practice during all interactions with patients and families.
- Precepted new staff nurses to provide education on hospital policies and procedures, patient care skills, medical procedures and techniques and patient assessments and interventions.
- Delegated and prioritized tasks, streamlining steps in rapid response situations.
- Documented and evaluated successes and failures of care plans and interventions.
- Utilized Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) and electronic health records to document treatments and patient status observations.
- Monitored patient status and treatment progress, reporting observations to physicians.
- Maintained aseptic environment to prevent patient infections or other unwanted outcomes.
- Assessed patients on admission to evaluate and continually monitor.
- Communicated with patients and recorded vitals after surgical procedures to evaluate current health status.
Nursing Home Registered Nurse
Big Sky Care Center
Helena , MT
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Assessed health condition of patients and developed individualized care plans.
- Provided nursing care to elderly residents including medication administration, wound care, and symptom management.
- Coordinated daily activities for residents, such as social events and recreational programs.
- Monitored vital signs including blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, weight and height.
- Instructed staff members on proper techniques related to resident care.
- Conducted regular rounds to ensure that residents are receiving appropriate care.
- Responded quickly to any changes in a resident's condition or behavior by initiating appropriate interventions or notifying the physician and healthcare team member immediately.
- Supervised Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants in providing direct patient care services.
- Ensured compliance with all federal, state and local regulations governing long-term care facilities.
- Implemented infection control standards throughout the facility.
- Worked collaboratively with other departments such as dietary, housekeeping, recreation therapy to meet the needs of each resident.
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
- Oversaw patient admission and discharge processes to coordinate related paperwork.
- Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows and assisted physicians with non-invasive procedures.
- Conducted intake assessments with patients and relatives to gather case history.
- Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
Traveling LPN
Prairie Travelers
Helena, MT
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Assisted physicians with patient care by taking vital signs, administering injections and performing other nursing duties.
- Provided direct physical and emotional support to patients and their families.
- Performed routine laboratory tests including urinalysis, blood glucose monitoring and others.
- Maintained accurate medical records of each patient's health condition.
- Observed patients for any changes in their condition or behavior, reported findings to the supervisor or physician in charge.
- Coordinated with interdisciplinary team members such as doctors, nurses and social workers to ensure quality patient care was provided.
- Performed wound care including changing dressings, cleaning wounds, applying ointments and medications and providing other necessary treatments.
- Conducted daily rounds visiting assigned patients ensuring they are comfortable and have all necessary supplies available.
- Prepared equipment for use during treatments such as setting up IV lines or placing catheters correctly according to hospital policies.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions implemented based on patient responses or feedback from family members.
- Looked for physical, emotional and symptomatic changes in patient condition and obtained necessary care for medical concerns.
- Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients.
- Monitored patient's respiration activity, blood pressure and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration.
- Communicated concerns regarding patients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers.
- Observed, charted and reported developments in patient health condition in 20 plus bed hospital.
- Used sterile techniques to prepare patients for procedures.
- Guaranteed exceptional care quality by correctly administering medication, inserting and caring for catheters, dressing and changing wounds and assisting with personal hygiene.
- Worked with social workers, physical therapists and speech therapists to assess patient needs, plan and adjust plans of care and actualize nursing interventions to promote and restore patient health.
- Collected blood, urine or sputum from patients to perform routine laboratory tests.
- Answered patients' calls to determine how to assist.
- Assembled and used catheters, tracheotomy tubes or oxygen suppliers.
- Evaluated nursing intervention outcomes by conferring with other healthcare team members.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Prepared or examined food trays for conformance to prescribed diet.
LPN
Kindred Healthcare Inc.
Dillon, MT
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Assisted patients in ambulation and transfers using proper body mechanics.
- Provided assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing and grooming.
- Assessed patients' health conditions and monitored changes in their condition.
- Maintained accurate medical records and updated them regularly.
- Supervised the activities of other nursing staff members and provided guidance when necessary.
- Communicated effectively with patients, families, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations as needed.
- Monitored medication administration for accuracy, compliance, and effectiveness of treatment plan.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate effective patient care delivery systems.
- Carried out physician orders accurately while adhering to hospital policies and procedures.
- Assisted in developing policies related to infection control practices.
- Promoted positive relationships between patients, families, visitors, physicians, nurses, volunteers.
- Assisted physicians with patient care by taking vital signs, administering injections and performing other nursing duties.
- Ensured that all medications were administered accurately and on time as prescribed by the physician.
- Observed patients for any changes in their condition or behaviour, reported findings to the supervisor or physician in charge.
- Performed wound care including changing dressings, cleaning wounds, applying ointments and medications and providing other necessary treatments.
- Conducted daily rounds visiting assigned patients ensuring they are comfortable and have all necessary supplies available.
- Prepared equipment for use during treatments such as setting up IV lines or placing catheters correctly according to hospital policies.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions implemented based on patient responses or feedback from family members.
- Observed, charted and reported developments in patient health condition in 20 plus bed hospital.
- Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients.
- Answered patient and family questions to educate on optimal treatment procedures.
- Interviewed patients to obtain medical history.
- Used sterile techniques to prepare patients for procedures.
- Applied interventions to progress patients toward wellness and address maintenance of wellness.
- Took temperatures or blood pressures, dressed wounds and provided other basic patient care or treatments.
Education
Associate of Science - Registered Nurse
Walla Walla Community College
Walla Walla, WA05-2012
Skills
- Health Promotion
- Compassionate Care
- Chronic Disease Management
- Wound Care
- Discharge Planning
- Catheter Care
- Medical assessment
- Nursing staff leadership
- Critical Care
- Patient Management
- Medication and IV administration
- Direct and Indirect Patient Care
- Sterilization techniques mastery
- Patient Satisfaction and Process Improvement
- Staff Supervision
- IV and venipuncture certified
- Patient and family advocacy
- Coordinating referrals
- Care Plan Development
- Strong medical ethic
- Strong Clinical Judgment
Timeline
Urology Nurse
Veterans Health Administration
10.2021 - Current
Med/Surgical Nurse
Veterans Health Administration
02.2013 - 10.2021
Nursing Home Registered Nurse
Big Sky Care Center
01.2012 - 01.2014
Traveling LPN
Prairie Travelers
01.2012 - 01.2013
LPN
Kindred Healthcare Inc.
01.2011 - 01.2012
Associate of Science - Registered Nurse
Walla Walla Community College