Heather Barbagallo
South Beloit
Summary
Registered Nurse with 15 years of experience (22 years in healthcare). Extensive knowledge in patient assessment and care planning, including care of patients with mental health/behavioral and substance use disorders. Highly capable of enhancing patient safety and satisfaction through compassionate care and effective communication. Skilled in medication administration and critical thinking, ensuring optimal recovery outcomes for diverse patient populations.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, PACU
Ortho Midwest Surgery Center
10.2023 - Current
- Monitored patients' vital signs post-anesthesia to ensure stability and safety during recovery.
- Administered medications and provided pain management support according to established protocols.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to facilitate smooth transitions from operating room to recovery unit.
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care plans, enhancing understanding and compliance.
- Maintained accurate electronic health records, ensuring timely documentation of patient information and treatment progress.
- Participated in continuous education programs, improving clinical skills and knowledge of best practices in PACU care.
- Provided timely interventions to address airway management complications such as respiratory depression or obstruction in post-operative patients.
- Reduced complications by promptly identifying and addressing post-operative issues in PACU patients.
- Decreased medication errors by meticulously administering medications following proper protocols and verifying dosages.
- Prevented complications from anesthesia side effects such as nausea or vomiting using effective medication administration techniques.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families during the recovery process, easing anxiety related to surgery outcomes.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures in the PACU setting, such as wound care, dressing changes, and insertion of invasive monitoring devices.
- Enhanced patient safety during transfers to other units by providing handoff communication that accurately conveyed critical information about the patient''s condition, potential risks, and ongoing treatment plans.
- Improved patient satisfaction through compassionate nursing care and effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- Increased quality of care by participating in ongoing professional development opportunities related to PACU nursing practice.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
Registered Nurse
OSF Healthcare Saint Anthony Medical Center
10.2015 - 10.2023
- Administered medications and treatments following established protocols to ensure patient safety and comfort.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans tailored to individual patient needs.
- Monitored vital signs and patient conditions, documenting changes accurately in electronic health records for timely interventions.
- Educated patients and families on health management and post-discharge care instructions to promote recovery and well-being.
- Implemented infection control measures, enhancing overall patient safety during procedures and daily operations.
- Mentored new nursing staff, fostering a supportive environment for skill development and professional growth.
- Conducted assessments and triaged patients effectively in high-pressure environments, ensuring appropriate prioritization of care needs.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
Education
Nursing
Saint Anthony College of Nursing
Rockford05-2010
Skills
- Clinical judgment
- Ethical practice
- IV insertion
- Discharge planning
- Vital signs monitoring
- Airway management
- Post-anesthesia care
- Anesthesia recovery
- Basic life support
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Patient education
- Pain management
- Patient recovery assessments
- Cardiac monitoring
- IV fluid administration
- Health education
- Compassionate care
- Records maintenance
- Medication administration
- IV infusions
- Analgesia pumps
- Assessment techniques
- Procedure assistance
- Critical thinking
- Monitoring vital signs
- Care coordination
- Cardiac monitors
- Oxygen saturation standards
- Tracheostomy care
- Immunizations and vaccinations
- Acute care expertise
- Documentation
- Blood draw and sample collection
- Infection control
- Wound care
- Patient condition monitoring
- CPR/AED
- Patient and family advocacy
- Accurate documentation
- Test interpretations
- Treatment preparation
- Anesthetics administration
- Student precepting
- Needs assessment
- Decision-making
- Delegation and motivation
- Chronic disease management
Timeline
Registered Nurse, PACU
Ortho Midwest Surgery Center
10.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse
OSF Healthcare Saint Anthony Medical Center
10.2015 - 10.2023
Nursing
Saint Anthony College of Nursing
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