Tonya Schmidt
Vienna
Summary
Experienced Registered Nurse with a focus on direct patient care and clinical judgment. Proven ability to implement evidence-based practices, mentor junior staff, and improve patient satisfaction through holistic and compassionate care.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute
Falls Church, VA
06.1997 - Current
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to ensure safety and compliance with treatment plans.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans tailored to patient needs.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify mental health conditions and guide therapeutic interventions.
- Trained and mentored junior nursing staff on best practices in mental health care delivery.
- Implemented evidence-based practices to enhance patient outcomes and optimize workflow efficiency.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions, promoting peer support and engagement among patients.
- Evaluated treatment efficacy through regular patient follow-ups, adjusting plans as necessary for improved results.
- Led initiatives aimed at improving patient satisfaction, fostering a supportive environment for recovery.
- 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.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
- 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.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients'' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex cases.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
Registered Nurse
Army Reserve
Washington, DC
02.1996 - 12.2004
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- 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.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to ensure safety and compliance with treatment plans.
- 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.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- 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.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Radford University
Radford, VA08-2026
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA05-1996
Skills
- Medication and IV administration
- Medication administration
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments
- Documentation and charting
- Patient assessment
- Strong clinical judgment
- Patient education and counseling
- Clinical judgment
- Patient and family advocacy
- Infection control measures
- Care planning
- Patient management
- Physical assessments
- Patient care planning
- Patient evaluation
- Complex Problem-solving
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute
06.1997 - Current
Registered Nurse
Army Reserve
02.1996 - 12.2004
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Radford University
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Northern Virginia Community College