Ava Lawless

Working shifts in Melbourne Metro hospitals such as Epworth, Ramsay and Cabrini hospital groups. Based on Medical-Surgical wards.

Completed a four week travel contract in Gosford Public Hospital in New South Wales. This was organised by my employer, Healthcare Australia. Based on an oncology and renal medical ward.

• Conducted health screenings and assessments to evaluate patient needs and risks. Ran weekly antenatal clinics and newborn checks.
• Educated patients on chronic disease management and preventive health measures. Proficient in phlebotomy and ECG tracing.
• Administered vaccinations to both infants, children and adults.
• Conducted drug service assessments and ran weekly drug screening clinics, this practice is based in an impoverished area with high levels of drug abuse in the local community. This is the biggest practice in the West of Ireland for OST and the only practice in Galway that assesses and treats opioid addiction. Patients attend weekly for reviews of their Opioid Substitution Treatment e.g Methadone or Bupronorphine/Naloxone.

• This is a 28 bedded cardiology ward that had four beds exclusively for acute CVA patients. This area provides acute stroke patient care and recovery in a high-pressure environment.
• Administered acute cardiac care interventions for stable and unstable patients. Cared for patients both pre and post ablation and stenting procedures.

• This is a busy 32 bedded acute surgical ward where patients are cared for both pre and post operation. Surgeries performed on patients in this ward include bowel resection, stoma/colostomy/ileostomy formations, total hysterectomy and cholecystectomy's to name a few.
• Removed vaginal packs and spinal epidurals. Inserted urinary catheters. Adjusted and commenced Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pumps as per the Acute Pain Team orders.
• Conducted wound assessments and managed complications after stoma formation. Excellent at drain care and worked with many types of drains including Jackson-Pratt and Robinson drains.

• Staffed on this ward at the request of the Clinical Nurse Manager, after placing in the top 10 out of 70 interviewees. This ward has 28 beds, with many patients being under the care of both surgical and oncology teams. Some of the surgeries performed on patients on this ward included Tracheostomy/Laryngectomy formations, DIEP and tram flap reconstruction, Corneal transplant and Partial Glossectomy's.
• Monitored and assessed patient recovery, identifying complications early on. This was particularly important in DIEP flap patients as the first few days post grafting surgery are crucial for monitoring to ensure success of the reconstructed area.
• Performed emergency interventions during airway crises to ensure patient stability. Regularly assisted with tracheostomy tube changes.
• Experienced in leech therapy application for wound care.

• St Teresa's Renal Ward, Galway University Hospital: This ward gave me hands-on experience in both haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. It is a 36 bedded inpatient unit that cares for patients who suffer from acute and chronic renal failure, chronic kidney disease and alcohol withdrawal.
• Hospital One: This is a fantastic day unit in Merlin Park University Hospital that transfuses blood products such as intravenous immunoglobulins, plasma, platelets and red blood cells. I gained excellent skills and competence in accessing Portacaths, PICCs and Hickmans.
• Intensive Care Unit, Galway University Hospital: I was very lucky to be part of the workforce in the ICU in Galway University Hospital as part of my internship. This unit has 20 beds with patients under both invasive and non-invasive ventilation systems. This was one of my favorite units to work in and as a result I would hopefully look to go back to work in an ICU again in the future.
• St Michael's ENT, Breast and Opthamology Ward: This ward was where I continued to work once qualified at request of the Clinical Nurse Manager due to my excellent competence and work ethic. I developed a love for airway management and interventions from this ward, especially in caring for patients who have undergone tracheostomy and laryngectomy formations.

• I worked night shifts every weekend in my final year of college as a Healthcare Assistant in University Hospital Galway. I was placed in a different ward or department for each shift. Some nights I could be on the floor in NICU, stocking up the ward and assisting nurses with changes, other nights I could be 1:1 specialing a flight risk patient in ED. I loved this job as I gained invaluable experience working in all different areas of the hospital.

• Conducted thorough consultations over the counter (OTC) drugs, addressing customer queries.
• Trained new staff on OTC drug safety protocols and customer service best practices.
• Placed Cold Chain orders and sorted pharmacy deliveries. Assisted in the dispensary area.