Lorraine McKay
Registered Nurse
Forest Lake,QLD
Summary
I am a devoted hardworking health care worker who believes that everyone deserves to be treated by an A grade quality, professional, unprejudiced, and compassionate health care system. All the years I have worked for QLD Health, I have developed the skills and knowledge to make sound clinical judgements and give effecient and individualised care, which enhanced the patient's recovery and satisfaction as well as their significant others. I'm a believer of 'Prevention is better than Cure', so passing my knowledge onto co-workers and patients and significant others, is one of my commitments to providing a high standard of healthcare. By working in the ward of Orthopaedics and Urology, I'm skilled in caring for the acute post operative and the geritric patients.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Metro South Qld Health
Nathan, QLD
06.2003 - Current
- Provided patient care and education to patients with chronic illnesses.
- Assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
- Administered medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Monitored vital signs, administered injections, and provided assistance with medical procedures.
- Documented patient progress notes accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record system.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Instructed patients on proper self-care techniques at home following discharge from the hospital.
- Ensured compliance with standards of professional practice as well as state and federal regulations related to health care delivery services.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in nursing practices by attending continuing education classes or seminars.
- Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives within the department.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Maintained a safe environment for all patients by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
- Provided emotional support and comfort to families during difficult times.
- Counseled patients regarding medication side effects or lifestyle changes necessary for improved health outcomes.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions through ongoing assessment of patient responses.
- Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows and assisted physicians with non-invasive procedures.
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
- Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
- Evaluated patients, recognized and addressed complications and coordinated treatment with other members of critical care team.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.
- Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions.
- Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values, and beliefs.
- Administered medications, tracked dosages, and documented patient conditions.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
- Updated charts throughout shifts with current, accurate information to maintain strict recordkeeping standards.
- Provided patient and family health education focusing on self-management, prevention and wellness.
- Assessed and prepared patients for procedures, performing initial and ongoing patient assessments.
- Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
- Maintained personal and team compliance with medication administration standards and patient care best practices.
- Oversaw patient admission and discharge processes to coordinate related paperwork.
- Created, implemented and evaluated patient care plans with medical team.
- Counseled patients and caregivers, providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support.
- Conducted intake assessments with patients and relatives to gather case history.
- Monitored patients after surgery, answered questions, and provided home care strategies.
- Educated patients and families on health care needs, conditions, and options.
- Provided emotional support and counseling to patients and their families.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
- Monitored diet, physical activity, behaviors and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
- Achieved departmental goals and objectives by instituting new processes and standards for in-patient care.
- Administered local, inhalation or intravenous anesthetics to patients undergoing procedures.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Metro South Qld Health
Nathan, QLD
06.2001 - Current
- Care for patients pre and post operative Orthopaedic and Urology operations
- Care for patients with cognitive and/or behavoural problems
- Care for PCA EPCA, Epidural, and Regional infusions
- Observe, assess, and change wound dressings, including VAC dressings
- Administer oral, IV, SC, IMI medications
- Obtain vital signs and escalating the patient's care if I observe the patient's condition to be deteriating or if any signs are outside the perimeters
- Inputing all information into the appropriate Cerner program
Education
Certificate - Nursing Practice
Ipswich General Hospital School of Nursing
Ipswich, QLD04-1987
Skills
- Healthcare ethics
- Clinical judgment
- Documentation
- Patient consultation
- Vitals monitoring
- Monitor vital signs
- Acute and rehabilitative care
- Vital signs monitoring
- Intravenous therapy
- IV management
- Electronic Health Records
- Collecting vitals
- Catheter monitoring
- IV drug therapy management
- Professionalism
- Health Education
- Acute care expertise
- Medical Equipment Operation
- Training staff
- Patient Advocacy
- Problem-solving abilities
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Seizure Management
- CPR/AED
- Patient Counseling
- Dementia Care
- Insulin medication assistance
- Administer medication
- Patient and family advocacy
- Medication and IV administration
- Time management abilities
- Wound Dressing
- Oxygen saturation standards
- Reliability
- Pain Management
- Patient Assessment
- Multitasking Abilities
- CPR Certification
- Clinical Documentation
Affiliations
- I enjoy many hobbies at home - leadlighting, embroidery, jewellery making, scrapbooking, and a little sewing
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Metro South Qld Health
06.2003 - Current
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Metro South Qld Health
06.2001 - Current
Certificate - Nursing Practice
Ipswich General Hospital School of Nursing
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