Theresa Cunningham
East Ballina
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with fourteen years of skilled nursing experience ranging from critical care nursing in the Emergency Department, aged care and medical/surgical nursing. I am passionate about providing safe, effective and evidence based nursing care. I have recent professional development, including becoming a Diabetes Resource Nurse within the Emergency Department in 2023. Additionally, I am equipped with a keen attitude towards ongoing professional development and teaching others. I have current AHPRA registration and am an Australian Citizen.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Byron Central Hospital
09.2012 - Current
- Demonstrates empathetic and strong clinical skills when assessing patients conditions, initiating appropriate interventions, and escalating concerns to physicians as needed.
- Performs triage on incoming patients and determines severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Credentialed to initiate emergency management in accordance with NSW Rural Emergency Clinical Guidelines (Adult & Child) and manual defibrillation (FLECC), Advanced Life Saving (ALS), and Paediatric Advanced Life Saving (PALS).
- Exercises education to nursing students, medical students and patients on a regular basis as a senior nurse and as the Diabetes Resource Nurse.
- Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to plan continuity of care beyond the acute setting.
- Communicates as an advocate for patient needs in a rural setting and escalates care as required to Tertiary Hospitals.
- Consistently adheres to work health and safety requirements in all aspects of employment
- Strives for best practice and professional developement.
- Optimizes patient flow within the Emergency Department as In Charge nurse coordinating bed assignments and discharges according to capacity constraints.
- Participates in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall effectiveness and efficiency of emergency nursing care delivery within the department.
Registered Nurse
Bupa Ballina Aged Care
10.2012 - 03.2014
- In-charge nursing role both within and after hours
- Facilitate care plan administration through collaboration and mentorship amongst Endorsed Enrolled Nurses and Assistants in Nursing
- Assessments in accordance with the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI).
Registered Nurse
St. Paul's Hospital
01.2010 - 01.2012
- General Surgery and High Acuity Support Unit
- Completion of 'New Graduate Program' 2010
- Continual Liaising with Intensive Care Unit staff to care for highly acute critically ill patients
- In- charge role day/night.
Undergraduate Nurse
Rocky View General Hospital
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Medical Palliative nursing unit.
Assistant in Nursing
Rocky View General Hospital
01.2006 - 01.2009
Education
Bachelor of Nursing -
Mount Royal University/ Athabasca University
Calgary, Canada01.2010
Skills
First Line Emergency Care course (FLECC)
Advanced Life Saver (ALS)
Paediatric Advanced Life Saver (PALS)
In Charge Role
Triage
Post Graduate Education
- Australian College of Nursing, Sydney, NSW, Principles of Emergency Care Course, 2015
- Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada, Acute Critical Care Nursing: Advanced assessment of the critically ill patient, 2010
Development Goals
- Clinical Nurse Specialist: Diabetes, 2024
Accreditation Education Achievements
- Diabetes Resource Nurse 2023
- Emergency Nursing Paediatric Course, Australian College of Nursing, 2017
- Understanding Mental Health Course, Australian College of Nursing 2015
- Emergency Triage Workshop, NSWLHD 2015 and Refresher 2023
- PICC management accreditation 2014
- IV cannulation and blood pathology accreditation 2012
- Nomination for Valedictorian by staff of Faculty of Nursing 2010
- Athabasca University Deans List 2007 & 2008
- Jason Lang Scholarship 2006
Volunteer Experience
- 2015, International Medical Relief, Nepal, Participant in a team of 15 Doctors and Nurses providing humanitarian aid and medical relief post devastating earthquake. Creation of lasting support networks as a Co-Founder of a nursing scholarship with Kathmandu Medical College, rewarded annually to the nursing student who demonstrates excellence in community action.
- 2011, English teaching and health promotion, San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
- 2003-2004, Nursing home Volunteer, Calgary, Canada, Baking with Elderly affected by Dementia
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Bupa Ballina Aged Care
10.2012 - 03.2014
Registered Nurse
Byron Central Hospital
09.2012 - Current
Registered Nurse
St. Paul's Hospital
01.2010 - 01.2012
Undergraduate Nurse
Rocky View General Hospital
01.2009 - 01.2010
Assistant in Nursing
Rocky View General Hospital
01.2006 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Nursing -
Mount Royal University/ Athabasca University
Similar Profiles
Sarah VialSarah Vial
Clinical Midwife Specialist at Byron Central Hospital Midwifery Group PracticeClinical Midwife Specialist at Byron Central Hospital Midwifery Group Practice
Dawn DavalosDawn Davalos
School Bus Driver at Byron Bergen Central SchoolSchool Bus Driver at Byron Bergen Central School
Larry WilcoxsonLarry Wilcoxson
Senior Advisor at Byron Donalds For Congress / US REP Byron DonaldsSenior Advisor at Byron Donalds For Congress / US REP Byron Donalds