Ruba Elias

Recovery and Ward locum nursing

Adults and paediatrics

Recovery and Ward locum nursing

Adults and paediatrics

6-bed, paediatric-heavy Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU):

• Assertive recovery of unconscious / emerging adult and paediatric patients (6 months - 12 years) recovering from various forms of anaesthesia,
• Airway management of the anaesthetised and emerging patient,
• Management of post-anaesthesia delirium and delirious emergences,
• Monitoring of vital signs, electrocardiograms (ECGs), arterial pressure > utilising pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological measures, if required, for dealing with variations from normal,
• Responding to and working through emergency situations,
• Monitoring, protecting, salvaging and accessing intravenous (IV) and arterial sites; IV therapy,
• Pain management,
• Assessment-based discharge from PACU,
• Consciously established a practice rich in autonomy to contribute to a team that must navigate a fast-paced, constantly changing environment,
• Practice and delegate within scope of practice in accordance with internal and external guidelines and codes,
• Inter-agency transfers,
• Ensuring upkeep of safe working environment including - but not limited to - daily, weekly and monthly emergency stock/equipment checks and in-services as well as monthly audits,
• Building of strong rapport with anaesthetists and surgeons,
• Preceptorship,
• Risk management.

Rehabilitation + Surgical Wards - 45 beds & 10+ bed day stay unit:

• Rotating roster including after hours in-charge of hospital,
• Absence of on-site medical officer after business hours,
• Admissions and facilitation of patient-centered care based on needs and individualised care plans, whilst adhering to internal guidelines, external codes and standards,
• Provision of care for post-operative paediatric (6 months - 12years) patients and carers and adult patients, including - but not limited to - monitoring vital signs and fluid status, assistance with ADLs whilst promoting independence, IV access and therapy, management of catheters and drains, pain management,
• Care of rehabilitating patients including - but not limited to - compliance and safe use of mobility aids, ensuring adequate or improving bodily functions; monitoring vital signs and fluid status, education based on evidence regarding optimal use of analgesia, prevention of falls, pressure injuries and thrombosis; encouraging independence, identifying and raising risk factors with multidisciplinary team associated with patient functionality for collaborative review prior to discharge,
• Wound surveillance and dressings - simple and complex,
• Identifying, problem-solving, responding to and/or escalating variations from normal, as well as emergency situations,
• Discharges, ensuring patient comprehension of discharge instructions,
• Maintenance of patient dignity through advocacy and empathy,
• Inter-agency transfers,
• Building of strong rapport with admitting specialists, visiting medical officers and resident doctors,
• Risk management,
• Preceptorship.

• Ward-based nursing,
• Successfully navigated the challenges that come with locum nursing,
• Reliable, adaptable and flexible,
• 300hrs of locum nursing whilst also nursing at Hunters Hill Private Hospital,
• Specialties: orthopaedics, rehabilitation, general medical, general surgical, medical oncology, surgical oncology, oncology intensive care unit (ICU), coronary care unit (CCU), neurology, colorectal, early assessment medical unit (EMU), as well as orientation and four (4) shifts in primary health clinics at Silverwater Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC).

• Clinical rotation: orthopaedic ward (5 months),
• Clinical rotation & employed until November 2017: gastroenterology, vascular and palliative care ward,
• 24-hour rotating roster,
• Deployment, when required, to cardiothoracic, urology or neurology wards,
• All facets of dignified care and assistance with ADLs for 5-10 clinically heavy medical and/or surgical patients during any given shift,
• Care of the dying patient,
• Recognising and responding to the deteriorating patient, exposure to and involvement in emergency situations,
• Preparation and administration of various IV and subcutaneous concoctions and infusions including scheduled and cytotoxic drugs, blood and total parenteral nutrition (TPN),
• Insertion, management and removal of nasogastric tubes,
• Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube surveillance, education and feeding,
• Extensive wound and stomal care with regular CNC guidance,
• Peritoneal dialysis: set-up and connection, disconnection as well as documentation, catheter surveillance and patient monitoring,
• Inter-agency admissions and transfers,
• Ensuring patient comprehension of verbal and written discharge instructions,
• Exposure to and building rapport with resident doctors and visiting medical officers.