Sharon Curr
Summary
Experienced Palliative Care Nurse with background in home and institutional care. Works gently with patients and family to provide comfort and palliative care. Supports family with extensive resources and information concerning end-of-life events and expectations. Maintains round-the-clock availability to patients and families. Registered Nurse with 35 years of experience in direct patient care and nursing management positions in hospital settings. Experience spans across medical-surgical, paediatrics, neonates, paediatric and adult oncology. Active listener with direct communication style and compassionate, non-judgmental approach to build patient trust and rapport. Outside-the-box thinker with strong crisis resolution skills. Smart and attentive Palliative Care Nurse gifted in calming both patients and caregivers through dynamic listening and interpersonal skills. Considered valuable asset in helping to manage pain and patients' needs.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Palliative Care, Clinical Nurse
Gladstone Hospital
02.2014 - Current
- Offered listening ear to both patients and loved ones to meet emotional and mental, as well as physical needs.
- Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plan for each patient while following physician instructions.
- Established and maintained successful relationships with patients, families and physicians by utilizing exemplary communication and active listening skills.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
Palliative Care, Registered Nurse
Gladstone Hospital
02.2013 - 03.2023
- Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plan for each patient while following physician instructions.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Provided high level of quality, compassionate care to patients and caregivers.
- Established and maintained successful relationships with patients, families and physicians by utilizing exemplary communication and active listening skills.
Acting Paediatric Nurse Unit Manager
Cairns Base Hospital
11.2012 - 11.2012
- Reviewed patient transfer records routinely to verify patients received appropriate levels of care.
- Directed patient discharge procedures to provide departing patients with needed aftercare and avoid readmissions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
Paediatric Registered Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital;
10.1997 - 08.2010
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- 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.
Acting Paediatric Regional Oncology Case Manager
Cairns Base Hospital
12.2009 - 03.2010
- Assessed patients during course of treatment to identify concerning reactions.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
07.2009 - 09.2009
- Cultivated rapport with patients and caregivers, utilizing proactive communication with parents and children.
- Helped young patients feel comfortable with procedures and immunizations.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
02.2008 - 04.2008
- Identified common paediatrics and adolescent illnesses to plan and implement interventions and management.
- Analyzed and interpreted patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, and diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnosis.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams to assess holistic healthcare profiles of paediatrics patients.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
Paediatric Oncology Registered Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
02.1998 - 09.2007
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- 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.
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
05.2007 - 05.2007
- Asked parents pre-determined questions based on age of child.
- Provided basic educational services to parents and guardians on topics such as child growth and development and special needs.
- Aided in designing healthcare plans for paediatrics patients based on individual medical needs and living situations.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
07.2003 - 09.2003
- Cultivated rapport with patients and caregivers, utilizing proactive communication with parents and children.
- Provided bedside care and treatment for patients in paediatric patients.
- Thrived in high volume atmosphere providing care ranging from wellness visits to illnesses, injuries, and life-threatening conditions.
- Provided basic educational services to parents and guardians on topics such as child growth and development and special needs.
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
04.2002 - 06.2002
- Thrived in high volume atmosphere providing care ranging from wellness visits to illnesses, injuries, and life-threatening conditions.
- Provided educational support to patients and families to inform them of procedures.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams to assess holistic healthcare profiles of paediatric patients.
- Interacted with child welfare personnel and social workers in cases involving concerns about overall well-being.
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
05.2000 - 07.2000
- Identified common paediatric and adolescent illnesses to plan and implement interventions and management.
- Cultivated rapport with patients and caregivers, utilizing proactive communication with parents and children.
- Helped young patients feel comfortable with procedures and immunizations.
- Provided bedside care and treatment for patients in paediatric patients.
Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Mt Isa Hospital
02.1996 - 08.1997
- Administered medications and treatments to paediatric patients to manage symptoms and promote healing.
- Monitored paediatric patient conditions to identify changes and respond promptly.
- Documented paediatric patient care to maintain accurate and complete medical records.
- Educated patients and families on health topics, medications and treatments to increase understanding and improve health outcomes.
Paediatric Registered Nurse
Mt Isa Hospital
03.1996 - 12.1996
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- 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.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Ayr Hospital
01.1995 - 01.1996
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
Enrolled Nurse
St Andrew's Hillcrest Hospital
02.1992 - 01.1995
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
- Analyzed and evaluated success of care plans, interventions and treatments.
- Utilized nursing knowledge to identify patient needs and offer appropriate remedies.
- Conferred with multidisciplinary healthcare team to help effectively manage patient conditions with regular testing and vitals assessments.
Enrolled Nurse
Capricornia Nursing Agency
02.1992 - 01.1994
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Analyzed and evaluated success of care plans, interventions and treatments.
- Delivered individualized patient care by recording vital signs, documenting observations, administering treatments, and evaluating patient needs.
- Reported unusual or urgent circumstances in patients' condition or environment immediately to nurse supervisor.
Enrolled Nurse
Nambour Hospital
05.1989 - 02.1992
- Reported unusual or urgent circumstances in patients' condition or environment immediately to nurse supervisor.
- Analyzed and evaluated success of care plans, interventions and treatments.
- Conferred with multidisciplinary healthcare team to help effectively manage patient conditions with regular testing and vitals assessments.
Pupil Enrolled Nurse
Mater Misericordiae Hospital
03.1988 - 03.1989
- Completed activities of daily living for patients unable to self-care, and assisted those with limited mobility in completing tasks.
- Provided care to patients throughout lifespan with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and culture.
- Observed patients under care conditions to help identify symptoms, responses to treatments and progress with goals.
Education
Post Graduate Certificate - Palliative Care Nursing
Flinders University
Adelaide, SA11.2023
Certificate of Achievement - Distance Education Course Palliative Care in Nurse
Flinders University
Adelaide, SA04.2020
Bachelor of Nursing - Nursing
Central Queensland University
Rockhampton, QLD12.1994
High School Diploma -
Rockhampton Grammar School
Rockhampton, QLD11.1985
High School Diploma -
Mount Larcom State School
Mount Larcom, QLD11.1983
Skills
- Team Management
- Critical Thinking
- Calm Under Pressure
- Problem-Solving
- Interpersonal Communication
- Active Listening
- Problem Resolution
- Attention to Detail
- Organizational Skills
- Written Communication
- Friendly, Positive Attitude
Accomplishments
Heista Award for Excellence in Providing Palliative Care Nursing
Certification
- Certificate of Achievement, Distance Education Course In Palliative Care Nursing, Flinders University
Family commitments, Walking, Water Skiing, Reading
Spending time with family, and grandchildren.
Love walking to relax and for exercise.
Reading books.
Water skiing with family and friends.
Timeline
Palliative Care, Clinical Nurse
Gladstone Hospital
02.2014 - Current
Palliative Care, Registered Nurse
Gladstone Hospital
02.2013 - 03.2023
Acting Paediatric Nurse Unit Manager
Cairns Base Hospital
11.2012 - 11.2012
Acting Paediatric Regional Oncology Case Manager
Cairns Base Hospital
12.2009 - 03.2010
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
07.2009 - 09.2009
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
02.2008 - 04.2008
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
05.2007 - 05.2007
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
07.2003 - 09.2003
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
04.2002 - 06.2002
Acting Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
05.2000 - 07.2000
Paediatric Oncology Registered Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital
02.1998 - 09.2007
Paediatric Registered Nurse
Cairns Base Hospital;
10.1997 - 08.2010
Paediatric Registered Nurse
Mt Isa Hospital
03.1996 - 12.1996
Paediatric Clinical Nurse
Mt Isa Hospital
02.1996 - 08.1997
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Ayr Hospital
01.1995 - 01.1996
Enrolled Nurse
St Andrew's Hillcrest Hospital
02.1992 - 01.1995
Enrolled Nurse
Capricornia Nursing Agency
02.1992 - 01.1994
Enrolled Nurse
Nambour Hospital
05.1989 - 02.1992
Pupil Enrolled Nurse
Mater Misericordiae Hospital
03.1988 - 03.1989
Post Graduate Certificate - Palliative Care Nursing
Flinders University
Certificate of Achievement - Distance Education Course Palliative Care in Nurse
Flinders University
Bachelor of Nursing - Nursing
Central Queensland University
High School Diploma -
Rockhampton Grammar School
High School Diploma -
Mount Larcom State School
- Certificate of Achievement, Distance Education Course In Palliative Care Nursing, Flinders University
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