KATHRYN RUSSELL
Ashtonfield,NSW
Summary
CURRENT CAREER SUMMARY
I am a Wonnarua Aboriginal woman, currently employed on a permanent full-time basis as a Child and Family Health Nurse at Birra Li providing service and care to Aboriginal families to which I am very passionate. I previously volunteered at Mindaribba, my Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) where a Paediatrician and myself ran a Paediatric clinic once a fortnight for Aboriginal children and their families within my community. I also linked children in with NDIS when they launched in the Hunter area, also running an EXPO of NDIS providers at Mindaribba LALC for families to engage with specific services. Prior to the commencement of my employment at Birra Li I was employed at the John Hunter Hospital in the Emergency Department as a Registered Nurse for a period of 17years where I cared for adult and paediatric patients. With my emergency nurse experience, I am confident in the identification and assessment of various presentations and injuries and the initiation of immediate care and treatment for specific presentations. It is also my responsibility as an employee to ensure a safe working environment and to carry out safe working practices. During my employment with Birra Li I have had the opportunity to work alongside amazing Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners in partnership with Aboriginal families where I am quick to build trust, rapport and deliver culturally safe and culturally appropriate care and education. I was approached to be part of a live Webcast with Jumbanna HETI, while also participating in Education Promotion Video’s with HNEH yarning about post-natal care and the role of the Child and Family Health Nurse, along with the delivery of in-services for John Hunter Hospital NICU and Maternity staff. I am an organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. I am looking to maintain a full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Child and Family Health Nurse
Hunter New England Health, Birra Li Aboriginal Services
Newcastle, NSW
08.2017 - Current
- Work in partnership with aboriginal families in a culturally sensitive and supportive way
- Enhancing and expanding my current knowledge and experience as a CFHN while working with a multidisciplinary team
- High level of experience in documentation and report writing
- Attending to CFHN assessments and administering immunisations and recording of immunisations or AIR
- Facilitate referrals that are appropriate for individual clients
- Competence in home visit assessments of children 0-5years
- Excellent communications skills with fellow staff, clients and their families
- The ability to provide culturally safe and culturally appropriate care
- Engage and work in partnership with stakeholders within the Port Stephens Community
- Vast knowledge of services that may assist and provide support and treatment for clients and families
- Quickly learn new skills and apply them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Actively listened to clients, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
- Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Registered Nurse
Mindaribba LALC Medical Centre
East Maitland, NSW
01.2016 - 08.2017
- Paediatric Clinic
- Triage referrals, organize and book appointments
- Attend to correspondence, referrals, follow-up appointments, billing
- Attend to observations and assessments of children and educate families when necessary
- Engage and work in partnership with stakeholders
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Registered Nurse
John Hunter Hospital
New Lambton, NSW
08.2005 - 08.2017
- Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate with all levels of staff along with patients and their family
- Facilitate immediate patient care that is efficient, appropriate and effective
- Demonstrated ability to function as a multidisciplinary team
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- High level of experience in documentation and report writing
- Knowledge and experience in adult/paediatric emergency nursing
- Sound knowledge of various complaints, diseases and injuries
- Attend to venipuncture (blood collection), ECG’s, dressings, insertion of cannula, IDC, NGT
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education.
- Provided clinical education to new nurses, student nurses and other staff to achieve training outcomes.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds and thoracic traumas
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships, participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Registered Nurse
John Hunter Hospital
04.2003 - 08.2005
- Emergency Short Stay Unit (ESSU)
- Facilitate appropriate patient care and rapid discharge/transfer to other specialty units
- A proven ability to work in a self-directed environment to co-ordinate care for a variable case mix across a range of healthcare providers
- High level of experience in report writing and documentation
- Voluntary rotations through the Emergency Department
- Deployed to the Emergency Department and other wards when patient numbers down
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Led successful team comprised of RNs, EENs and other ward staff.
Registered Nurse
Westmead Hospital
Westmead, NSW
02.2002 - 03.2003
- Post Graduate Course
- 12 month Post Graduate Course with three rotations to specialty wards
- 4 months Recovery Room
- 4 months Semi-acute Cardiothoracic Ward
- 4 months in a medical ward with 6 specialties, those being rheumatology, dermatology, endocrinology, immunology, infectious diseases and adolescents (eating disorders)
- Completion of applicable skills, worksheets and learning packages
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking ECG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education.
Enrolled Nurse
All staff Nursing Agency and Lingard Private Hospital
Newcastle, NSW
11.1999 - 12.2001
- Employed as a casual whilst completing my Bachelor of Nursing Degree
- Responsible for patient care and observations
- Knowledge of both medical and surgical nursing care
- Pre and post-op care
- Patient education
- Knowledge of various hospitals and their layout/routines/policies
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
Enrolled Nurse – Orthopedic Ward
Royal Newcastle Hospital
12.1997 - 06.2001
- Responsible for patient care, education and observations
- Pre and post-op care of the orthopedic patient
- High level of experience in report writing and documentation
- Post-op educations for joint replacement patients
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
Enrolled Nurse
Hunter Nursing Agency, Newcastle, Private Hospitals
11.1994 - 12.1998
- Responsible for patient care, education and observations
- Knowledge of both medical and surgical nursing care
- Knowledge of various hospitals and their layout/routines/policies
- Prepared variety of different written communications, reports and documents
Enrolled Nurse
Royal Newcastle Hospital
05.1990 - 05.1994
- Adult and Pediatric Orthopedic Wards
- Completed 12-month Enrolled Nurse Training
- Responsible for patient care and education
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to patients, handled challenging situations with ease.
Education
Graduate Diploma Indigenous Health Promotion -
08.2022
Immunisation Certificate -
05.2018
Post Graduate Child And Family Health Nursing -
03.2016
Bachelor of Nursing -
12.2001
Enrolled Nurse Certificate -
05.1991
Skills
- Reliable, Flexible and Adaptable
- Collaborate with team members
- Self-Motivated and Professional
- Active Listener and Clear Communicator
- Strong leadership and Team Building
- Organization, Time Management and Decision Making
- Work planning, Scheduling and Coordinating
- Confident in Educating and Teaching others
Ongoing Education
· Australian Breast-Feeding Association, Breastfeeding Mentor Certification
· Qualified Cub Scout Leader, East Maitland Scouts
· Acute Life-Threatening Emergencies, Recognition and Treatment (ALERT) Course
· Certificate of Competency in Peripheral Cannulation and Venipuncture
· Orientation to Critical Care Certificate
· Completion of New Graduate Transitional Program Westmead Hospital
Personal Organisations
· Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM)
· New South Wales Nurses Association
· NSW Nurses Union
· Australian Breastfeeding Association
· New South Wales College of Nursing
· Australian Scouting Association
References
References can be supplied upon request
Timeline
Child and Family Health Nurse - Hunter New England Health, Birra Li Aboriginal Services
08.2017 - Current
Registered Nurse - Mindaribba LALC Medical Centre
01.2016 - 08.2017
Registered Nurse - John Hunter Hospital
08.2005 - 08.2017
Registered Nurse - John Hunter Hospital
04.2003 - 08.2005
Registered Nurse - Westmead Hospital
02.2002 - 03.2003
Enrolled Nurse - All staff Nursing Agency and Lingard Private Hospital
11.1999 - 12.2001
Enrolled Nurse – Orthopedic Ward - Royal Newcastle Hospital
12.1997 - 06.2001
Enrolled Nurse - Hunter Nursing Agency, Newcastle, Private Hospitals
11.1994 - 12.1998
Enrolled Nurse - Royal Newcastle Hospital
05.1990 - 05.1994
University of Sydney - Graduate Diploma Indigenous Health Promotion ,
Australian College of Nursing - Immunisation Certificate,
University of Tech Sydney - Post Graduate Child And Family Health Nursing,
University of Newcastle - Bachelor of Nursing,
Newcastle TAFE - Enrolled Nurse Certificate,
Similar Profiles
Elise SkillenElise Skillen
Child and Family Health Nurse at Birra LiChild and Family Health Nurse at Birra Li
Melanie JonesMelanie Jones
Clinical Nurse Specialist at Hunter New England Area Health Service, John Hunter HospitalClinical Nurse Specialist at Hunter New England Area Health Service, John Hunter Hospital
Kelley MartinKelley Martin
Centralised Revenue Unit Manager at NSW Health - Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD)Centralised Revenue Unit Manager at NSW Health - Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD)
SALLY HUNTSALLY HUNT
Home Duties at Family MembersHome Duties at Family Members
Holli BirchHolli Birch
Baker's Assistant at Ridge DidgeBaker's Assistant at Ridge Didge