Carol Ann McDonald
6319 Hynson Alexandria
Summary
Dynamic Staff Nurse with extensive experience, excelling in patient education and critical care. Proven ability to enhance patient safety through meticulous medication administration and compassionate advocacy. Skilled in wound care and effective communication, fostering trust with patients and families to ensure optimal recovery and well-being.
Experienced with patient care management, delivering compassionate and efficient nursing services. Utilizes critical thinking skills to make informed decisions in fast-paced environments. Track record of effective communication and collaboration with healthcare teams.
Patient-oriented Nurse with 22 years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments. Offering expertise with Behavioral, Geriatric and pediatric specialty's.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Nurse
Heritage Manor South
12.2024 - 07.2025
- Assisted in patient assessments and documentation to ensure accurate health records.
- Collaborated with healthcare team to provide comprehensive patient care and support.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to senior nursing staff promptly.
- Educated patients on post-operative care and wellness strategies for optimal recovery.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
Staff Nurse
Magnolia Manor Nursing Home
12.2022 - 01.2025
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to ensure effective treatment outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Educated patients and families on health management, medication adherence, and disease prevention strategies.
- Mentored junior nursing staff, fostering skill development and promoting best practices in patient care.
- Implemented infection control measures, enhancing safety standards within clinical settings.
- Utilized electronic health record systems for accurate documentation and streamlined communication among healthcare providers.
- Contributed to positive clinical environment through active participation in staff meetings, committee work, and ongoing professional education opportunities.
- Served as a preceptor for new nursing staff members, providing guidance and mentorship to foster professional growth and development.
- Skillfully managed crises situations involving aggressive behavior or medical emergencies by applying appropriate de-escalation techniques or initiating lifesaving interventions as needed.
- Enhanced continuity of care by maintaining detailed records of patient interactions, treatment plans, and progress towards identified goals.
- Streamlined nursing processes by incorporating technology into daily documentation, medication administration, and patient monitoring tasks.
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care for terminally ill patients while supporting their families through the grief process.
- Served as a patient advocate, ensuring that patients'' needs were met, their rights respected, and their concerns addressed promptly.
- Responded to patient emergencies to provide prompt and correct intervention .
- Demonstrated knowledge of technical procedures and proper equipment use.
- Provided wound care to promote healing and prevent infection.
Staff Nurse - In Home
Advantage Home Health Care Inc
05.2018 - 11.2022
- Administered medications and treatments as per established protocols for patient care.
- Monitored vital signs and documented changes in patient conditions accurately.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Educated patients and families on health management and post-discharge care instructions.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Acted as a patient advocate, ensuring their needs were met and their rights protected throughout their healthcare journey.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Mentored new nursing staff, supporting their professional growth and development.
- Reduced medication errors through meticulous charting and double-checking dosages.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of care plans regularly, making adjustments as needed based on individual patient needs and progress toward goals.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient assessments and treatment plans.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
Staff Nurse - In Home
Trinity Home Health
05.2014 - 09.2019
- Maintained a clean, safe environment adhering to infection control policies.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatments as per established protocols for patient care.
- Monitored vital signs and documented changes in patient conditions accurately.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Acted as a patient advocate, ensuring their needs were met and their rights protected throughout their healthcare journey.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Mentored new nursing staff, supporting their professional growth and development.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient assessments and treatment plans.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Streamlined workflow processes to increase efficiency in a high-volume clinical setting.
Education
No Degree - LPN
Votech - Mansfield La
943 Oxford Rd. Mansfield Rd 7105207-2003
Skills
- Patient education
- Patient safety
- Direct patient care
- Medication and IV administration
- Wound care
- Infection control measures
- Patient management
- Family education
- Critical care
- Specimen collection
- Disease prevention
- Tracheostomy care
- Vaccine administration
- Emergency procedures
- Ethical practice
- Geriatric nursing
- Home health care
- Clinical judgment
- Patient counseling
- Intake and discharge
- Diabetes management
- Hospice care
- Chronic disease management
- Mental health nursing
- Hospice and palliative care
- Rehabilitation nursing
- Oncology nursing
- HIPAA protocol adherence
- Pediatric nursing
- Respiratory support
- Nursing process
- Wound care management
- Documentation
- Vitals monitoring
- Critical thinking
- Patient care assessment
- Compassionate and caring
- Decision-making
- Blood draw and sample collection
- Patient condition monitoring
- Patient examination
- Accurate documentation
- Patient and family advocacy
- CPR/AED
- Insulin medication assistance
- Delegation and motivation
- Infection control
Timeline
Staff Nurse
Heritage Manor South
12.2024 - 07.2025
Staff Nurse
Magnolia Manor Nursing Home
12.2022 - 01.2025
Staff Nurse - In Home
Advantage Home Health Care Inc
05.2018 - 11.2022
Staff Nurse - In Home
Trinity Home Health
05.2014 - 09.2019
No Degree - LPN
Votech - Mansfield La
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