Zoe Cousins

Highly devoted, attentive and enthusiastic nursing graduate seeking a position at the Princess Alexandria Hospital. I have gained extensive knowledge and skill through my versatile employment and placement experience in the health care field, that I believe makes me a dynamic new graduate nurse candidate. I am recognised for my strong work ethic, participation in collaboration within the health care team and ongoing commitment to optimising patient care. My absolute dedication to the nursing professions stems from my innate desire to help others, and improve the health care experiences and outcomes of patients.

Ward 5B - Undergraduate Student in Nursing 

Princess Alexandra Hospital, Wooloongabba

• Working a variety of shift types and patient loads, 1:1 Special, Workload, Float.
• Achieved clinical competencies - ECG, Basic Wound Care, Vital Observations, PIVC removal, IDC management.
• Managing a four patient workload of high risk patients requiring close observation to ensure patient safety and care.
• Prioritisation of tasks based on urgency.
• Receiving and giving patient handovers to oncoming USINs and RNs to identify patient risks and ensure care continues to align with the patients care plan.
• Recognition and monitoring of patient deterioration.
• Escalating patient concerns to delegating RNs, Team Leaders and members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Communicating and collaborating within the interdisciplinary team.
• Exposure to diverse patient presentations and treatment of high acuity patients.
• Taking initiative to assist around the ward, completing outstanding tasks, offering ongoing assistance across the nurse team.
• Utilising a variety of de-escalation techniques and approaches.
• Proficient in utilising ieMR.
• Frequently picked up shifts across a variety of wards and disciplines across the hospital.
• Restocking and upkeep of ward environment.

• First Aid & CPR - HLTAID011, HLTAID010, HLTAID009, HLTAID003
• Blue Card Holder
• Criminal History Check
• ieMR/MARS Mandatory Training - Princess Alexandra Hospital
• Completed Clinical Competencies -ECG, Basic Wound Care, Vital Observations, PIVC removal, Manual Handling
• Blood Safe Clinical Transfusion Practice
• Queensland Health Checks - Infection Control Awareness, Code of Conduct, First Response Evacuation Instructions, OVP Fundamentals, Prevention and Management of MSD and Health, Safety and Wellbeing Induction

IMU USIN Facilitator & Nurse Educator - Zara Connley, Internal Medicine Unit, zara.connley@health.qld.gov.au 

Clinical Facilitator- 

• Graduated High School with Academic Distinction
• Elected Junior Secondary High School Captain
• One year of international study exchange in the United States
• 8 years of courses at the National Institute for Dramatic Arts of Australia

Emergency Department - Gold Coast University Hospital, 2023, 8 Weeks

• Rotated across Emergency Department disciplines - Resuscitation, Acute, Sub-Acute, Minor Illnesses and Injuries, Paediatrics and Short Stay.
• Managed a four patient workload of diverse patient presentations.
• Assisted in the assessment, management and treatment of patients across an array of triage categories.
• Applying systematic approach to assess and manage patients with complex and undifferentiated conditions.
• Frequently adapting and re-prioritising care to respond to rapidly changing patient conditions and acuity levels.
• Collecting, conducting and recording comprehensive patient admissions, history and assessments.
• Identifying and initiating relevant clinical pathways for the patients presentation.
• Escalating deteriorating patients to RNs, TLs and Treating physicians.
• Insertion of IDCs, Paediatric and adult NGs.
• Complex wound management, dressings and washouts.
• Administration of IV, IM & Subcutaneous medications.
• Assisting and observing various procedures and sedations such as - foreign body removal, reduction of fractures and dislocations, intubation and mechanical ventilation, abscess incision and drainage.
• Initiating and observating MET calls.
• Received and documented handover from paramedics for incoming QAS patients.

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Ward 2F - St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital, 2023, 4 Weeks

• Managing a 3-4 patient load
• Familiarised with various cardiothoracic and vascular conditions, surgical interventions, medications and assessments.
• Conducted focused patient assessments
• Monitoring telemetry and interpretation of 12 lead ECGs.
• Working with Wound Care Nurses following the progression and management of a highly complex wound.

Acute Adult Mental Health East Wing at Princess Alexandria Hospital, 2022, 4 Weeks

• Mental State Examinations.
• Depot injection administration.
• Treatment of patients under involuntary admissions, Mental Health Act (TA) and Guardianship Act (GA).
• Medication administration, managing incompliance and terms of consent in line with patient capacity.
• Practice and utilisation of diverse de-escalation approaches and strategies.
• Conducting Bröset Violence Checklist and risk assessments.
• Assiting in discharging patients into the community, utilising 127 safety planning.
• Building therapeutic patient relationships.

General/Surgical Ward at Brisbane Private Hospital, 2022, 3 Weeks

• Exposure to diverse disciplines including Plastics, Orthopaedics, ENT, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Gynaecology, Cardiovascular and Paediatrics.
• Providing quality post-operative care.
• Enhanced knowledge of surgical procedures, post-operative care across a broad variety of specialties.
• Developed comprehension of medication classes, indications and considerations.
• Intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection and IV antibiotic hospital based competencies assessment passed.
• Observed management of PCA's, Blood Transfusions, PICC Lines, IDC's, IPC Devices, Bellovac Surgical Drains, Negative-pressure wound therapy.
• Complex wound care.
• Provided discharge information and education to ensure comprehensive patient understanding of discharge instructions.
• Organised patient charts and paperwork.
• Delivered bedside handovers for my patient load to oncoming RNs and TLs and surgeons upon follow ups.

Aged Care Facility at Forest Lake Lodge, 2021, 2 Weeks

• Assisted in Oral & Topical Medication administration.
• Practiced conducting vital observations, patient assessments and basic wound care.
• Assisted Daily Living Activities – showering, changing, incontinence management, feeding, bed making.
• Accredited with the recognition and continuous escalation of patient with symptoms of septic shock.