Karen Verney
Lochinvar,NSW
Summary
Patient-oriented Nurse with 23 years of diverse experience in direct patient care.
Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities.
Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments.
Offering expertise with mental health specialty.
Organized and dependable individual successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude.
Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support.
Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health Registered Nurse
NSW Health HNE Local Health District
10.2016 - Current
- Educated patients and family members about medical conditions and mental health, medications, treatments and preventive measures.
- Assessed patients' physical and mental status by analyzing complaints and symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Performed frequent ongoing assessments of patients' status to address changes.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Determined patient risk by utilizing subjective and objective data obtained through patient interaction.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
Care Coordinator Mental Health Registered Nurse
HNE Local Health District
01.2016 - 09.2016
- Educated patients and family members about medical conditions and mental health, medications, treatments and preventive measures.
- Assessed patients' physical and mental status by analyzing complaints and symptoms.
- Evaluated, ordered and interpreted psychological evaluations and basic lab tests to assess and identify patients' conditions.
- Determined patient risk by utilizing subjective and objective data obtained through patient interaction.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
Mental Health Registered Nurse
SSW Area Health Service, NSW Health
02.2011 - 01.2016
- Case Manager/Care Coordinator for Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Service, working with mothers and babies in the Perinatal period
- Educated patients and family members about medical conditions and mental health, medications, treatments and preventive measures.
- Created and implemented group therapies and programs to help patients improve or regain coping abilities.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions in the community setting.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care skills to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Assessed patients' physical and mental status by analyzing complaints and symptoms.
- Evaluated, ordered and interpreted psychological evaluations and basic lab tests to assess and identify patients' conditions.
- Determined patient risk by utilizing subjective and objective data obtained through patient interaction.
Mental Health Registered Nurse
Sydney South West Area Health Service
06.2008 - 02.2011
- Worked full time on Mental Health Units at Campbelltown Hospital (Acute Adult, Adolescent, PECC)
- Educated patients and family members about medical conditions and mental health, medications, treatments and preventive measures.
- Assessed patients' physical and mental status by analyzing complaints and symptoms.
- Evaluated, ordered and interpreted psychological evaluations to assess and identify patients' conditions.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Determined patient risk by utilizing subjective and objective data obtained through patient interaction.
Assistant in Nursing
Carrington Nursing Home & Estonian Hostel
01.2001 - 12.2007
- Reported unusual or urgent circumstances in patients' condition or environment immediately to nurse supervisor.
- Provided customized care according to individual health plan.
- Cared with empathy and compassion to build positive patient and family relationships.
- Maintained excellent care continuity through collaboration with nurses and external healthcare professionals.
- Escalated changes in patient behavior, condition and vital signs for prompt assessment.
- Provided basic wound care to optimize recovery and limit infection risks.
- Furthered skills by actively taking part in employee training and taking classes to improve skills.
- Organized and managed patient charts and files.
- Provided informational resources to patients and families regarding treatments, guidelines and plans.
- Created positive patient experience by assisting patients with bathing, ambulating, feeding and personal and oral hygiene care.
Education
Masters in Mental Health Nursing - Nursing
University of Western Sydney
Campbelltown, NSW2024
Grad Cert Indigenous Social & Emotional Wellbeing - Nursing
University of Southern Queensland
Toowoomba, QLD11.2013
Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing - Mental Health Nursing
University of Western Sydney
Campbelltown, NSW11.2012
Bachelor of Nursing - Nursing
University of Western Sydney
Campbelltown, NSW06.2007
Skills
- Medication Administration
- Patient Health Education
- Mental Health Care
- Mental and Physical Assessments
- Compassionate and Caring
- Patient Care Assessment
- Nurse Education and Mentorship
- Clinical Documentation
- Educational Programs
- Intramuscular Injections
Timeline
Mental Health Registered Nurse
NSW Health HNE Local Health District
10.2016 - Current
Care Coordinator Mental Health Registered Nurse
HNE Local Health District
01.2016 - 09.2016
Mental Health Registered Nurse
SSW Area Health Service, NSW Health
02.2011 - 01.2016
Mental Health Registered Nurse
Sydney South West Area Health Service
06.2008 - 02.2011
Assistant in Nursing
Carrington Nursing Home & Estonian Hostel
01.2001 - 12.2007
Masters in Mental Health Nursing - Nursing
University of Western Sydney
Grad Cert Indigenous Social & Emotional Wellbeing - Nursing
University of Southern Queensland
Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing - Mental Health Nursing
University of Western Sydney
Bachelor of Nursing - Nursing
University of Western Sydney
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