Catherine Bongiorno
Kenmore
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, OPD, recovery and in sub acute environments. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service. Compassionate Registered Nurse Works well with diverse patient populations and fosters trusting relationships to improve outcomes. Efficiently coordinate with healthcare professionals to advance patient care. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven team player. Passionate in palliative Care and delivering a higher standard of quality care for individualised patient needs.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
GEM Unit, STARS Hospital, QLD Health
10.2021 - Current
- Ability to provide quality client care in accordance with current, Care Plans
- Be culturally aware in providing patient cantered care in a holistic manner encompassing their beliefs and values on health, wellness, care, acceptance to treatments and even death
- Dispense, administer, document medication delivery as per protocol.
- Encompassing respect, attitude, integrity, responsibility, and discipline into my daily activities.
- Work autonomously as well as within a multidisciplinary team.
- To critically think by integrating information, evidence, outcomes, experiences to translate into effective plans and solutions for patients.
- Identify problems and seek advice/assistance from senior staff members to improve facility quality processes and positive patient outcomes.
- Prioritise work according to different scenarios of patient care, and facility resources.
- Delegate appropriately and multi-task when required.
- Be flexible in my daily routine to accommodate constant patient treatment plan changes, allied health requests, and families.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Deliver compassionate person-cantered care for people with a range of chronic, acute or degenerative conditions.
- Pain management plans as per hospital policy and patient need.
- Infection prevention and control.
- Palliative care.
- Stroke recovery and rehabilitation,
- Integrative Behaviour Management technics and styles as per Dementia Australia guidelines and to assist with patients diagnosed with Dementia and Delirium.
- Work effectively as part of collaborative team.
- Good knowledge and understanding of Geriatric complexities that arise with chronic disease and ageing, providing effective nursing care plans to achieve expected patient outcomes under the guidance Medical professionals.
- Diabetes and wound care management.
- Provide assistance with daily ADL’s consisting of dressing and grooming etc.
- Assist with appropriate and safe mobility technics and strategies, in co-operation with other allied health member's to provide positive rehabilitation goals for pt to return home when appropriate.
- Detect, monitor and escalate early warning signs to ward treating team and or AHMO of a deteriorating patient as per hospital policy.
Registered Nurse
Palliative Care Unit, The Prince Charles Hospital
09.2020 - 10.2021
- Assess and monitor patient's level of pain to avoid pain crisis and increased anxiety.
- Administer medication on schedule and in timely way, understanding pain can be all encompassing and needs to be managed well.
- Educate patients, their loved ones, and caregivers on individual symptoms and how to best manage them for optimal patient outcomes and nursing intervention.
- Monitor patients reaction post medication administration of any Class 4-8 drug for unwanted side effects and drowsiness.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Provide effective and good therapeutic communication where appropriate to assist terminally ill patients and their families in saying their goodbyes, managing feelings and emotions, psychosocial, and spiritual support, and escalating where appropriate.
- Establishing and maintaining successful relationship with patients, families and physicians to promote good communication and active listening skills.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Provided high level of quality, compassionate care to patients and caregivers during each nursing shift.
- Provide assistive non-pharmacological methods to provide symptom relief of nausea, anxiety, fear, and pain etc
- Maintain suitable environment for patients, and families to feel comfortable, supported and embraced while they journey through difficult phase of life.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plan for each patient while following treating team instructions.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions, so they too can feel part of a plan which aids in comforting the patient.
- Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
Registered Nurse
Logan Hospital, Endoscopy Unit/Recovery
04.2020 - 10.2021
- Receive patients into recovery as per nursing handover procedure.
- Monitor and document routine observations and outcomes according to endoscopy post procedure policy in Provation and IEMR.
- Detect, escalate and monitor a deteriorating patient and provide care as per protocol.
- Maintain dignity and privacy for every patient.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Helped patient stand, change dressings and use restroom facility to complete discharge process.
- Monitored vital signs and levels of consciousness to verify sedation wore off properly and patient regained consciousness.
- Evaluated patient pain, nausea, difficulty breathing and fear and agitation in recovery room and employed various nursing interventions to manage vulnerabilities.
- Administered medications via oral, IV injections and monitored responses.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- 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.
Registered Nurse
The Cairns Aged Care Plus Centre, Salvation Army
12.2019 - 10.2021
- Provide appropriate meal assistance to patients with mobility and swallowing difficulties.
- Works within multidisciplinary team and demonstrates understanding of mission and values of organizations.
- Provide simple and informative communication to update families on patient wellbeing.
- Comply with workplace Health and Safety Procedures.
- Correct use and implementation of Personal Protective Equipment to reduce and maintain infection control strategies implemented by policy.
- Identifying hazards, conducting risk assessments, and taking corrective actions to eliminate hazards where possible in the workplace, and/or report hazards and risks in accordance with WH&S procedures
- Reporting and assisting with investigation of all incidents within the workplace, including minor injuries, near hit and property damage
- Demonstrates commitment to personal and professional development and ensures that skills and knowledge relating to work remain current.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Documented information in patients' electronic medical record, relaying information to clinicians and care providers to facilitate continuity of care.
- Built rapport with patients and family members to deliver exceptional care.
- Supervised and managed daily scheduling, tasking, and administration
- Performed patient assessments and adjusted care plans accordingly.
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes, and treatment implementations.
- Management of patients with diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, congestive heart failure (CHF), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), and diabetes to asses needs and determine best options for care.
Registered Nurse
Bolton and Clarke – Community Health Nurse
12.2019 - 01.2020
- Effective time managemen
- Cultural, courteous, professional interactions upheld at all times to up hold client dignity and comfort while in there own home.
- Consent provided before entry to client home or any care provided.
- Wound care assessment and management, escalation to client GP if further medical intervention was required.
- Reporting all findings and client care delivery to facility case manager.
- Catheter care management.
- Overseeing junior staff responsibilities,
- Providing and designing care plans specific to client needs, showering, toileting, medication management etc.
- Communicated with physicians and practitioners for patient care concerns to obtain orders and intervention protocols.
- Provided therapeutic nursing interventions for individualized plan of care to patient while in there own home.
- Developed plan of care for patient reflecting collaboration with members of healthcare team.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Home visits to attain information for assessment planning
- Reported patient assessment findings and physical and psychosocial responses to nursing intervention for progress towards care goals.
- Collaborated with other health-focused organizations and agencies to promote community health.
Endorsed Enrolled Nurse
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Oncology OPD
11.2017 - 03.2019
- Oncology Day Care Unit
- Assume responsibility and accountability for own actions and delegated nursing care, working under the supervision and direction of the Registered Nurse (RN)
- Contribute to positive client outcomes by providing nursing care at an advanced Enrolled Nurse (EN) level in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and the patient and/or their carer.
- Provide EN leadership in a defined area of nursing specialty to achieve positive patient outcomes.
- Actively participate in activities to achieve unit performance indicators and meet relevant standards. Ex Professional development and Audits.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Competent in IV cannulation and administration of IV medications appropriate to scope Enrolled nurse, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
- Venesection competent.
- Competent in Peripherally inserted central catheter dressings.
- Completed and competent in relevant ADAC modules - anti-neoplastic drugs and related waste.
- Competent in the administration of blood products as per hospital policy procedure.
- Assessed patients during course of treatment to identify concerning reactions.
- Competent to detect and act accordingly to altered criteria in deteriorating patients, and communicating with family on sensitive matters
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Educated patients on such topics as nutrition, medication side effects and proper skin treatments after radiation.
- Document all clinical finding and care provided to patient appropriately and timely in IEMR (pt chart)
Nurse Assistant
Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD Health
06.2012 - 11.2017
- Works under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse by assisting with the care of residents/patients as delegated by the Registered Nurse
- Demonstrates a commitment to personal and professional development and ensures that skills and knowledge relating to work remain current
- Safe manual handling –assisting nurse with transferring of patients etc with appropriate equipment and support.
- Restocking of required items specific to the ward, ex: gloves, Assistance with organisations of the ward
- Work well within a team by respecting and communicating with my fellow team on important matters such as patient cares, changes etc., I also work well autonomously
- Being flexible in my time where possible and assisting others with work related tasks when mine are complete.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Helped patients effectively manage routine bathing, grooming, and other hygiene needs.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Reported unusual or urgent circumstances in patients' condition or environment immediately to nurse supervisor.
- Maximized patient satisfaction by helping individuals carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking.
- Wiped down equipment with proper cleaning products after each patient transport to reduce instances of infection.
- Patient advocacy -Maintain a good communication with patients and respecting the patient's dignity and privacy at all times
- Implement infection control policies
- Works within my scope of practice and abides by the policies and procedures of the hospital
- Assist with timely and well-managed Pressure cares of patients who are unable to do it themselves.
- Utilized nursing knowledge to identify patient needs and offer appropriate remedies.
- Utilized therapeutic communication, empathy and active listening skills to encourage and develop positive relationships with patients.
Nurse Assistant
The Salvation Army
06.2011 - 06.2012
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Helped patients effectively manage routine bathing, grooming, and other hygiene needs.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Promoted good oral and personal hygiene by aiding patients with shaving, bathing, and teeth brushing.
- Reported unusual or urgent circumstances in patients' condition or environment immediately to nurse supervisor.
- Maximized patient satisfaction by helping individuals carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking.
- Established safe work practices to assist clients with mobility and appropriate mobility equipment.
- Followed work place and Health and Safety procedures on management of infection control and appropriate PPE standards.
- Wiped down equipment with proper cleaning products after each patient transport to reduce instances of infection.
- Utilized nursing knowledge to identify patient needs and offer appropriate remedies.
- Utilized therapeutic communication, empathy and active listening skills to encourage and develop positive relationships with patients.
- Cared for residents in assisted living facility and delivered high-quality support to meet needs.
Personal Carer
Home Instead Senior Care
10.2010 - 10.2011
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Cleaned house, ran errands, managed laundry, and completed weekly grocery shopping.
- Assisted patients with self-administered medications.
- Recognized and reported abnormalities or changes in patients' health status to case manager.
- Daily reports communication book and reporting back to head office with client update
- Assisted with dressing guidance, grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders.
- Maintained clean personal areas and prepared healthy meals to support client nutritional needs.
- Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and companionship.
- Engaged patients in meaningful conversation, socialization, and activity while providing personal care assistance.
- Provided safe mobility support to help patients move around personal and public spaces.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Assisted patients with bathing, grooming, dressing, and oral hygiene care both in private residences and facilities.
Community Disability Support Worker
Cerebral Palsy League
02.2010 - 09.2010
- Cooking/ Cleaning
- Communication non-verbal/verbal
- Experienced with hoists, standing /full, slide sheets and mobility aids
- Experienced with slide sheets
- Assistance with ADL’s
- Assistance within the Community, appointments, shopping, family functions
- Work independently in the community.
Education
Masters of Palliative Care -
Flinders University
Melbourne, VIC07.2025
Bachelor Of Nursing - Nursing
Griffith University
Brisbane, QLD12.2018
Diploma Of Nursing (HLT5162) - Nursing
Tafe Queensland
Loganholme, QLD12.2015
Certificate III in Disability - Disabily Support Worker
Milestone Training
Brisbane, QLD06.2010
Skills
- IEMR trained
- Critically think by integrating information, evidence, outcomes, experiences to translate into effective plans and solutions for patients
- Culturally aware in providing patient center care in holistic manner encompassing their beliefs and values on health, wellness, care, acceptance to treatments and even death
- Work efficiently autonomously and collaboratively with multidisciplinary team providing holistic approach to patient needs and care
- Priorities work according to different scenarios of patient care, and facility resources Delegate appropriately and multi-task when required
- Identify problems and seek advice from supervisors to improve facility quality processes and positive patient outcomes
- Wound Care
- Pain Management
- Gastrostomy Tube Care
- Medication Administration
Affiliations
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Certificate of Registration as a General Registered Nurse (Division 1) NMW0001974168
Referee
Kellie Lacey- Nurse unit Manager – Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Services, Herston, QLD
Telephone: 3647-7382
E-mail: kellie.lacey@health.qld.gov
Susan Prince- Nurse Unit Manager – The prince Charles hospital, Chermside, QLD
Telephone: 07 3139-5992
E-mail: susan.prince@health.qld.gov.au
Loretta Meaton- Centre Manager – The Cairns aged care centre- Chapel Hill Telephone: 0422012539
E-mail: lorettameaton@gmail.com
Timeline
Registered Nurse
GEM Unit, STARS Hospital, QLD Health
10.2021 - Current
Registered Nurse
Palliative Care Unit, The Prince Charles Hospital
09.2020 - 10.2021
Registered Nurse
Logan Hospital, Endoscopy Unit/Recovery
04.2020 - 10.2021
Registered Nurse
The Cairns Aged Care Plus Centre, Salvation Army
12.2019 - 10.2021
Registered Nurse
Bolton and Clarke – Community Health Nurse
12.2019 - 01.2020
Endorsed Enrolled Nurse
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Oncology OPD
11.2017 - 03.2019
Nurse Assistant
Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD Health
06.2012 - 11.2017
Nurse Assistant
The Salvation Army
06.2011 - 06.2012
Personal Carer
Home Instead Senior Care
10.2010 - 10.2011
Community Disability Support Worker
Cerebral Palsy League
02.2010 - 09.2010
Masters of Palliative Care -
Flinders University
Bachelor Of Nursing - Nursing
Griffith University
Diploma Of Nursing (HLT5162) - Nursing
Tafe Queensland
Certificate III in Disability - Disabily Support Worker
Milestone Training
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