Cara Gatewood
Fort Worth
Summary
Strong interest in Preop and PACU nursing with strong skills in monitoring patient conditions and administering treatments and medicine. In-depth understanding of various medical equipment and experienced in working long and flexible hours. Adaptable to new people, treatments and protocols. 28 years as nurse.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, Float Pool
Hugley Hospital
Burleson
01.2024 - Current
- Assessed patient's health status and developed individualized plans of care.
- Provided direct patient care, including administering medications, treatments, and education to patients and families.
- Monitored vital signs, intake and output levels, lab values and other assessments as needed.
- Performed bedside procedures such as wound care, IV insertions, foley catheter insertion and removals.
- Maintained accurate documentation in the electronic medical record system according to hospital policies and standards of practice.
- Educated patients about disease processes, preventive health measures, medication regimens and discharge planning needs.
- Responded quickly and effectively to emergent situations while maintaining composure under pressure.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills when interacting with patients, families and healthcare team members.
- Maintained current certification in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
- Facilitated timely discharge planning process for assigned patients.
Contract RN
hugley hospital
Burleson
01.2023 - 10.2023
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
- Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows and assisted physicians with non-invasive procedures.
- Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
- Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
- Provided patient and family health education focusing on self-management, prevention and wellness.
- Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
- Collaborated with doctors to plan post-treatment home care and prevent return hospitalization.
Contract Travel RN
Texas Select staffing
Dallas
08.2022 - 11.2022
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
- Observed nurse administration of oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients as prescribed, monitoring responses for adverse reactions.
- Assisted in planning individual treatment programs in consultation with Charge Nurse, Director of Nursing and other staff using established knowledge and resources in planning care and patient teaching.
- Administered medications intravenously, by injection or orally.
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care.
- Monitored patient fluid intake and output to detect emerging problems.
- Directed and instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Inserted and cared for catheters, feeding tubes and access sites.
- Interviewed patients to obtain medical information and measure vital signs.
RN Travel Nurse
American Mobile Travel Nursing
Lubbock
04.2022 - 07.2022
- Utilized learned nursing skills for wound care, vital sign checking and medication assistance.
- Notified physicians of changes in patients' conditions.
- Completed initial assessments of patients and family to determine and address individual home care needs.
- Conducted regular re-evaluations to address changes in needs and conditions, and introduced revisions to care plans.
- Charted changes in patient conditions and discussed concerns with supervising healthcare provider.
- Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds and managed catheters.
- Administered prescribed medications and started intravenous fluids to address patient symptoms and underlying etiologies.
- Collected biological samples for routine laboratory testing to assist diagnostic processes.
- Collected specimens, monitored vitals and maximized patient comfort to maintain optimal environment.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
RN Home Health
DFW Home Health
Fort Worth
10.2021 - 02.2022
- Notified physicians of changes in patients' conditions.
- Utilized learned nursing skills for wound care, vital sign checking and medication assistance.
- Completed initial assessments of patients and family to determine and address individual home care needs.
- Conducted regular re-evaluations to address changes in needs and conditions, and introduced revisions to care plans.
- Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds and managed catheters.
- Collected biological samples for routine laboratory testing to assist diagnostic processes.
- Administered prescribed medications and started intravenous fluids to address patient symptoms and underlying etiologies.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
Registered Nurse, Float Pool
Harris Methodist Fort Worth
Fort Worth
01.2009 - 09.2021
- Updated physicians on patient test results and assisted in developing care plans.
- Performed blood and blood product transfusions and intravenous infusions to address patient symptoms or underlying causes.
- Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
- Supervised nurse administration of oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients as prescribed, monitoring responses for adverse reactions.
- Treated patients suffering from chronic and acute medical concerns, including asthma, seizure disorders and pneumonia.
- Oversaw patient admission and discharge processes to coordinate related paperwork.
- Assisted patients with healing and recovery after surgery by closely monitoring and caring for wounds, answering questions and educating about continued care strategies.
- Reached out to patients to convey lab results and provide care instructions.
- Conducted post-op reviews, tracked patients' vitals and monitored fluids to reach optimal care targets.
Education
Associate Nursing - Nursing
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, FL06.1995
Skills
- Medical screening
- Patient monitoring
- Geriatric treatment knowledge
- Intake and discharge
- Medical assessment
- Tracheostomy care
- Taking vitals
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
- IV drug therapy management
- Pain Management
- Colostomy care familiarity
- Strong medical ethic
- Diabetes management
- IV skills
- BLS
Accomplishments
- Assessment - Executed full patient assessments, including NG and G tubes.
- Patient Care - Ensured quality control through admissions, assessment, treatment and referral for a broad range of patients.Treated patients suffering from trauma, acute chest pain, respiratory failure and drug overdoses.
- Reporting - Prepared regular charts on patient's health related history, medication restrictions and allergies.
- Family Support - Educated families about procedures, treatment regimens, prevention and care.
- Documentation - Documented patient information obtained from intake interviews.
- Patient Education - Educated patients about medical procedure steps, recovery measures and medication instructions.
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Float Pool
Hugley Hospital
01.2024 - Current
Contract RN
hugley hospital
01.2023 - 10.2023
Contract Travel RN
Texas Select staffing
08.2022 - 11.2022
RN Travel Nurse
American Mobile Travel Nursing
04.2022 - 07.2022
RN Home Health
DFW Home Health
10.2021 - 02.2022
Registered Nurse, Float Pool
Harris Methodist Fort Worth
01.2009 - 09.2021
Associate Nursing - Nursing
Palm Beach State College
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