Simone Hargreaves
Pottsville Beach,NSW
Summary
With over 30 years of experience in paediatric nursing, I have further honed my skills in my current role as a paediatric nurse navigator and have been fortunate to have been able to backfill the role of the respiratory nurse practitioner on occasions over the past year in a CNC capacity. I excel in both independent and team-based work environments within complex healthcare settings, utilizing critical thinking skills, initiative, and my extensive knowledge of paediatrics. My ultimate goal is to complete my NP studies by November of this year, so that I can better assist children with respiratory illnesses in achieving optimal health, reducing hospitalization rates, and improving their overall quality of life. My comprehensive understanding of general nursing theory allows me to function independently in patient care, resource management, and other professional practice areas. By identifying best practices and targeting performance improvement efforts, I consistently drive clinical, quality, and cost-effective outcomes for the patient population. Additionally, I am skilled at escalating care and concerns when necessary and am always self-reflective in my practice, actively seeking feedback to continuously improve.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Navigator- Paediatrics Complex Care (Life Limiting)
Gold Coast University Hospital
2016.04 - Current
- Manage and coordinate the care of children with life limiting complex care needs who require appointments and treatments in multiple health care settings
- Facilitate the patient journey in what has become an increasingly complex health system
- This facilitation is achieved by reducing fragmentation, mitigating barriers, educating, empowering and coordinating patient care
- The Nurse Navigators role is to transcend across multiple specialities, support nurse led service models and augment existing models of care within a facility or clinical area
- Assist families in accessing services within their community and health care setting, with a goal of improving health literacy to empower families in the care of their children
- Facilitating independence, reducing FTA’s, improve healthcare outcomes where eventual discharge from the service may be possible
- Built partnerships with local agencies and groups to assist with patient care, support or educational needs.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by proactively identifying high-risk patients and implementing targeted interventions.
- Improved patient outcomes through comprehensive education on treatment plans and medications.
- Facilitated timely scheduling of appointments, diagnostic testing and procedures to advocate for patients, expedite plan of care and promote continuity.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nurse navigation and clinical expertise areas.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care and support services.
Clinical Nurse Specialist- Paediatric Community Health
Murwillumbah Community Health Centre
2012.05 - Current
- Work independently as well as within a MDT
- Collaborating with cross border Tertiary Hospitals, local GP’s, Paediatricians, schools and the children’s wards at Tweed and Murwillumbah Hospitals in the holistic care of children and their families in the community
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based care practices and clinical guidelines.
- Managed patient caseloads, ensuring each individual received personalized and comprehensive care tailored to their specific needs.
- Collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to devise and manage individualized plans of care.
- Educated patients and families on treatment, expected outcomes and discharge instructions, serving as advisory resource to patients and families to facilitate recovery.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Education and Training to schools, NGO’s, parents and children in the management of asthma, anaphylaxis and buccal midazolam administration
- Proficient in the assessment and care of children from birth to 17 years (CEWT) Referral as required to other services Mic-key button and nasogastric tube placement
- Palliative Care, Phlebotomy, Portacath, PICC and CVAD device maintenance and access Immunisation clinics at Pottsville HO and Murwillumbah CHC Asthma and Anaphylaxis Clinics at Pottsville HO Quality project- Review of role and implementing changes to meet community needs has improved service delivery
- Hospital in The Home.
Nurse Unit Manager
Murwillumbah District Hospital
2014.12 - 2016.02
- Responsible for managing an inpatient and outpatient unit and providing a service that is safe, evidence based, efficient and cost effective within the budget provided
- Prepare monthly budget excel spreadsheets, M&M meetings, Case reviews, RCA’s, MDT meetings, Governance meetings, Paediatric meetings, NUM meetings, working parties for the NSQHS standards, Education of staff, Performance management and appraisals, manage sick leave, develop and review KPI’s, Quality improvement, rostering and partnering with the community
- Collaborated with administrators to evaluate nursing policies and procedures for potential improvements regularly.
- Raised staff retention rates by fostering a positive work culture focused on professional growth and development.
- Reduced medication errors with thorough medication administration education and adherence to best practices.
- Increased patient safety by conducting regular risk assessments and implementing necessary interventions.
- Led staff meetings to keep team informed of departmental changes and provide opportunities for nurses to share ideas and concerns.
- Developed and implemented quality improvement initiatives to provide best possible patient care and identify and address areas of concern.
Registered Nurse - Cancer Care Unit
Tweed Hospital
2010.10 - 2012.05
- Opportunities to be Team Leader
- Highly organised and able to think on my feet during a crisis such as life threatening event, anaphylaxis, febrile neutropaenia or extravasation of a portacath/IV Cannula
- Phlebotomy, Portacath, PICC and CVAD maintenance and Care.
- Highly developed Communication Skills Managing and dealing with conflict in the workplace
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Participated in the Essentials of Care Delegating tasks and prioritising to minimise impacts on patients and staff.
Clinical Nurse – Registered Nurse- Paediatric Oncology Unit
Royal Children’s & Mater Children's Hospital
1997.01 - 2011.01
- Preceptor new staff and Graduate Nurses
- Provide education and support to children and their families with a new diagnosis- discuss fertility options in an adolescent diagnosis
- Manage the recovery unit attached to outpatients post Lumbar Puncture and Bone Marrow Biopsies as per ACORN standards.
- Educate and train colleagues in anaesthetic post recovery care in safe airway management, geudells airways, jaw thrust and bag and mask (PEEP) Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (extremely ill and complex care of these children in isolation)
- Portacath, PICC and CVAD maintenance and access Anaphylaxis management post chemotherapy resulting in MET call and commencing CPR
- Highly developed communication skills. Emotional intelligence in dealing with death and dying, open disclosure
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to improve patient care outcomes in the Oncology OPD.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, promoting open communication channels for effective collaboration in treatment plans.
- Promoted a culture of safety by maintaining strict adherence to infection control protocols and reporting potential hazards.
- Maintained strong working relationships with physicians and ancillary staff, fostering a collaborative approach to patient care delivery.
- Responded to patient emergencies to provide prompt and correct intervention .
Education
Masters of Advanced Practice Nursing – NP -
Monash University
Melbourne, VIC11.2024
Graduate Certificate in Paediatrics -
Australian College of Nursing
Sydney, NSW2016
Diploma of Applied Science -
Monash University
Melbourne, VIC05.1992
Skills
- Outstanding leadership skills – “Someone people want to follow”
- Organizational Skills
- Patient Education
- Patient confidentiality
- Clinical assessment
- Care Coordination
- Quality Improvement
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Patient and family advocacy
- Relationship Building
- Professionalism
Certification
- QPPHON Regional Chemotherapy Program, June 2017
- Clinical Excellence Commission- Clinical Leadership Program
- Immunisation/Anaphylaxis for Registered Nurses, The College of Nursing
- Anaesthetics ACORN Standards Course, Royal Children’s Hospital
Accomplishments
- Amy Enderlin Award - Nomination GCUH
- TBHSG Nursing and Midwifery Awards, Silver Award- Outstanding Patient Centred Care, and dedication to the improvement of care and service delivery to children and their families.
- Clinical Excellence Commission- Clinical Leadership Course
Affiliations
- ACNP Associate Member 2024
- ACCYPN Member 2024
- Asthma NSW Educator, School Trainer for NNSW LHD
- Anaphylaxis NSW-School Trainer
- Masterclass Palliative Care Workshop PPCS/QPHON
- Clinical Coaching and Leadership workshop NNSW LHD
- ACN Immunisation Course for Registered Nurses
- NSWLHD Succession Planning Workshop
- CEC- Foundational Clinical Leadership Program
- Clinical Coaching and Leadership workshop NNSW LH
- Peg Management Workshop
- AHPRA #1440922
- QLD Nurses Union Member 2024
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer Lifeguard, Cabarita Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, 2012, current
Tweed Turtle Rescue Volunteer
Hobbies and Interests
- Camping
- Fishing
- Surf Life Saving
- Sports
Timeline
Nurse Navigator- Paediatrics Complex Care (Life Limiting)
Gold Coast University Hospital
2016.04 - Current
Nurse Unit Manager
Murwillumbah District Hospital
2014.12 - 2016.02
Clinical Nurse Specialist- Paediatric Community Health
Murwillumbah Community Health Centre
2012.05 - Current
Registered Nurse - Cancer Care Unit
Tweed Hospital
2010.10 - 2012.05
Clinical Nurse – Registered Nurse- Paediatric Oncology Unit
Royal Children’s & Mater Children's Hospital
1997.01 - 2011.01
Masters of Advanced Practice Nursing – NP -
Monash University
Graduate Certificate in Paediatrics -
Australian College of Nursing
Diploma of Applied Science -
Monash University
- QPPHON Regional Chemotherapy Program, June 2017
- Clinical Excellence Commission- Clinical Leadership Program
- Immunisation/Anaphylaxis for Registered Nurses, The College of Nursing
- Anaesthetics ACORN Standards Course, Royal Children’s Hospital
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