WENDY GERARD
Registered Nurse
SLIDELL,LA
Summary
I have been a Registered Nurse for 34 years and have had an amazing career full of diversity and rewarding opportunities. I am interested in obtaining a challenging and rewarding position within your Health Care Systems environment promoting all aspects of Nursing and the pertinence to the positive outcome of client/patient care
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
5
5
Certification
Work History
PACU Registered Nurse
New Orleans East Hospital
New Orleans, Louisiana
08.2020 - Current
- Providing post operative care to approximately 10-40 patients daily
- Assess and identify individual patient educational needs, removing barriers to learning and supporting comprehensive progress.
- Evaluate cardio-respiratory systems for deviations, providing appropriate treatment as necessary.
- Supported healthy working environment, adhering to patient safety protocol, complying with hospital policies and maintaining situational awareness.
- Evaluate patients' pain levels, implementing medication to alleviate discomfort based on communication with Physician and orders.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety and rights of patient.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
RN
Current Emergency Room, New Orleans East Hospital
New Orleans, LA
12.2016 - Current
- ER/SORT RN responsible for delivery of high quality, professional care of patients throughout all life spans within ER setting
- Proficient in rapid assessment and anticipation of patient needs upon arrival and recognition of change in patient status requiring immediate Physician/RN intervention
- Proficient in venipunctures, IV drips and calculations of medication changes based on lab values and algorithms
- Provide SORT implementation when ER setting is saturated allowing patient flow and implementation of care to be initiated in a safe, timely manner
- Flexibility with changes in roles as ER needs change
- Excellent communication skills with patients, providers, peers and axillary staff
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
PCU RN, Ochsner Health Center, Slidell
Slidell, LA
04.2015 - 07.2018
- PCU RN responsible for the care of adult individuals post cardiac cath, CABG, gastric sleeves and a variety of other med -surg interventions requiring close monitoring of cardiac rhythms, lab values and medication drips
- Excellent communication skills and ability to effectively communicate patient findings to the appropriate Physician team to optimize positive patient outcome
- Flexibility to float to other units within the hospital setting to include ICU and ER and function independently as a positive member of the health care system
- Exceeded goals through effective task prioritization and great work ethic
Registered Nurse
Neuro Surgery Stepdown RN, Ochsner Medical Center
Jefferson, LA
01.2014 - 04.2015
- Neuro-Surgery step-down RN Responsible for adult patient care post craniotomy
- Monitoring of ventric pressures/ output, vital signs and cardiac rhythms
- Care for stroke individuals, providing support and reassurance to patient and family members
- Proficient in neurological assessment, telemetry, central line maintenance and lab value changes
- EMU RN responsible for monitoring of patients admitted for monitoring of seizure activity
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Worked within applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results
Registered Nurse
DON RN, Legacy Pointe Assisted Living
Iowa City, Iowa
08.2013 - 12.2013
- DON RN Responsible for the mental and physical wellbeing of 43-53 residents within the assisted living environment promoting independence to enhance positive daily experiences
- Supervised 8 CNA and 5 LPN's to ensure resident cares are provided in a safe, timely manner
- Education to staff provided in a manner and frequency that provided consistent positive patient outcomes and quality of life
- Excellent communication skills with off site Physicians ,residents, families and staff
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems
Inpatient
ER, RN, Jones Regional Medical Center
Anamosa, IA
03.2013 - 08.2013
- ER/Inpatient RN responsible for providing quality care in both the ER and Inpatient settings within a unique rural community environment
- Stabilization of critical patients and preparation for transfer to a higher level of care
- Excellent rapid assessment skills and communication with Physician and peers with limited access to specialty services
CIS/ARK Nursing Coordinator
VA
Iowa City, Iowa
02.2011 - 02.2013
- Instrumental in the building of a new computerized charting system developed across VISN 28
- Collaborated with CIS/ARK coordinators across the VISN and nationally along with Phillips Medical
- Technology personnel to develop a standardized charting system now used across the United
- States in the VA setting
- Education provided to Physicians, Residents, Nursing staff and dietary, Discussion Panel Member
- Systems Redesign member
Trauma/Charge RN
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Iowa City, IA
06.2001 - 02.2011
- Emergency/Trauma/Charge RN Triage, rapid assessment and immediate implementation of emergency treatment across all life spans
- Patient care coordination with all specialized services within and outside the emergency room setting
- Aggressive approach to immediate treatment of trauma patience under guidance of ER trauma Physicians/residents
- Implemented quality patient care techniques to align with safety, health and organizational regulations
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols
Education
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA08.1988
Skills
- PACU charge nurse
- ER staff nurse
- SORT nurse
- PCU staff nurse
- Patient education
- Patient recovery assessments
Certification
BLS
ACLS
PALS
Stroke Certified
CPI
Timeline
PACU Registered Nurse
New Orleans East Hospital
08.2020 - Current
RN
Current Emergency Room, New Orleans East Hospital
12.2016 - Current
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
PCU RN, Ochsner Health Center, Slidell
04.2015 - 07.2018
Registered Nurse
Neuro Surgery Stepdown RN, Ochsner Medical Center
01.2014 - 04.2015
Registered Nurse
DON RN, Legacy Pointe Assisted Living
08.2013 - 12.2013
Inpatient
ER, RN, Jones Regional Medical Center
03.2013 - 08.2013
CIS/ARK Nursing Coordinator
VA
02.2011 - 02.2013
Trauma/Charge RN
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
06.2001 - 02.2011
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Kirkwood Community College