Megan Kelly

•Provided pre and post-operative care to patients undergoing a range of different surgeries.
• Provided a large range of wound care including surgical dressings, drain sites, suture and clip removal, VAC dressings, pressure dressings.
• Managed CVAD’s including central lines and PICC lines. This included dressings, flushing, drug administration, taking blood from the line and removal.
• Medication administration and record keeping including the use of PCA & LA in post op patients.
• Recording and monitoring of patients vital observations following the post op protocol and acting efficiently if there is any concern by escalating to the appropriate staff.
• Administration of blood products in a ward setting and following protocol for observation during and after administration.
• Record keeping and effective documentation including strict fluid balance charts, bowel charts, PCA charts, LA charts, wound charts, observation charts and more.
• Managing different drains and drain sites, collecting samples from drains, monitoring drain output, dressings.
• Working alongside the multi-disciplinary team for patient post op care and discharge planning.
• Showing compassion to patients receiving bad news and supporting those experiencing life limiting illness including cancer, MS and disabilities.
• Managing NG tubes, enteral feeding and drug administration, recording and measuring of regular aspiration and free drainage bags, removal and dressing care.
• Personal care and moving and handling of patients who are unable to do so for themselves ensuring skin integrity and dignity of the patient while doing so.

During this experience I was employed by an agency to work in a rural hospital in Latrobe, Tasmania on the casual pool. This consisted of 5 weeks employment rotating between Emergency Department, medical ward, rehab ward and clinical observation unit.

This gave me critical skills in being able to adapt and use my nursing skills efficiently in different surroundings and ward settings. All my previous nursing knowledge and skills were used throughout this employment.

This was my first nursing post in which I completed over 2 years in a busy Emergency Department. Within this role, I utilised my nursing skills every day to provide safe, effective and efficient care whilst adhering to the NMC Code of Conduct. Some of my roles during this employment included;
• Administer medications to patients from prescription records
including medication drug c harts and patients emergency
department records.
• Recording and monitoring of patients vital observations and
reporting to the appropriate medical team if a deterioration of a
patient’s condition occurs.
• Personal care and moving and handling of patients who are unable
to do so for themselves ensuring skin integrity and dignity of the
patient while doing so.
• Utilised my skills in phlebotomy and cannulation while ensuring
patients felt comfortable and relaxed.
• Responded to emergency situations includin g cardiac arrest,
stroke, trauma, anaphylaxis and many others which often involved
me taking part in life saving interventions like CPR, administration of
emergency drugs, insertion of airways and more. Working within
resus independently after receiving my ILS and PILS training.
• Administration of blood products in life threatening situations
following the right procedures from Right Patient Right Blood.
•Utilised my clinical experience and critical thinking to effectively
triage patients coming into the emergency department and
appropriately categorise patients based on their presentation whilst
referring to the Manchester Triage System.
• Working within the multi multi-disciplinary team and recognising my
role within that team to provide effective and efficien t care.
Listening, caring and supporting patients and their families during
their time in the hospital to ensure they feel comfortable and
respected.

• Wound care and minor injury treatment including dressings and casting of injuries.
. • Record keeping and effective documentation ensuring to maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Responding to patient’s behaviour appropriately, including mental health and safeguarding scenarios and effectively communicating and liaising with the appropriate professionals