Tonya Edwards
Opelousas
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse skilled in patient assessment and care planning. Specializes in medication administration and collaboration with healthcare teams to enhance patient outcomes. Experienced Psychiatric Charge Nurse with expertise in crisis intervention, team leadership, and meticulous patient record management.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Genesis Behavioral Hospital
Church Point
09.2024 - Current
- Admitted, evaluated, implemented care, and discharged mental health patients effectively.
- Led a multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive patient care.
- Supervised medication schedules and evaluated patient progress to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Assessed and screened patients, developing nursing impressions and treatment plans.
- Delivered personalized care to address individual patient needs.
- Organized workloads of LPNs and MHTs to improve patient care delivery.
- Directed care provided by five employees, ensuring adherence to compliance standards.
- Participated in team conferences for treatment planning and discharge management.
Charge Nurse
Compass Behavioral Health
Church Point
2022 - 09.2024
- Administered medications and monitored responses to treatments and therapies.
- Administered medications and monitored responses to treatments and therapies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create individualized care plans.
- Conducted mental health assessments and documented findings in electronic health records.
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies to ensure patient safety and well-being.
- Trained and supervised junior nursing staff on best practices in psychiatric care.
- Led group therapy sessions to foster communication and strengthen coping skills among patients.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards and hospital policies, promoting quality mental health care.
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Vermilion Healthcare System
Lafayette
03.2021 - 03.2022
- Provided direct patient care in psychiatric units for diverse populations, ensuring safety and well-being.
- Administered medications and monitored responses to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies that prioritized patient safety and minimized use of restraints.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans tailored to patient needs.
- Conducted mental health assessments and meticulously documented findings in electronic health records.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to improve communication and coping skills, fostering a supportive environment.
- Maintained compliance with regulatory standards and hospital policies for mental health care.
- Engaged in discharge planning by arranging follow-up appointments with primary providers or specialists.
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Oceans Behavioral Health of Opelousas
Opelousas
11.2019 - 03.2022
- Provided direct patient care in psychiatric units, addressing the unique needs of diverse populations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create individualized care plans.
- Conducted mental health assessments and documented findings in electronic health records.
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies to ensure patient safety and well-being.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to enhance communication and coping skills.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create individualized care plans.
- Assessed risk levels for self-harm and implemented appropriate interventions.
- Informed patients about mental health conditions and available support resources to enhance their understanding and self-management.
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Nurses Direct Staffing
Lafayette
05.2020 - 05.2021
- Provided direct patient care in psychiatric units, supporting diverse populations' mental health needs.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to treatments.
- Conducted mental health assessments, documenting findings in electronic health records.
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies to ensure patient safety.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create individualized care plans.
- Led group therapy sessions to improve communication and coping skills among patients.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards and hospital policies, enhancing quality of mental health care.
Charge Nurse Rehab
St. Francis Christus Cabrini
Alexandria
12.2018 - 07.2019
- Supervised nursing staff, enhancing patient care quality through effective management and support.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses effectively.
- Coordinated efficient patient admissions and discharge processes, ensuring smooth transitions and continuity of care.
- Conducted regular assessments to identify patient needs and concerns.
- Implemented care plans based on physician orders and patient conditions.
- Communicated with interdisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration to improve patient outcomes.
- Served as a preceptor for new nurses by providing orientation to unit policies and procedures, coaching on clinical skills, and mentoring on professional development issues.
- Delegated tasks appropriately among staff members according to their qualifications.
- Conducted daily rounds to assess patient conditions and evaluate progress towards goals.
- Coordinated communication between physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding patient care.
- Coordinated and performed patient admissions, transfers and discharges.
- Provided direct patient care, including assessments and treatments, to a variety of patients.
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Oceans Behavioral Health of Alexandria
Alexandria
07.2017 - 01.2019
- Provided direct patient care in psychiatric units for diverse patient populations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans.
- Conducted mental health assessments and documented findings in electronic health records.
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies to ensure patient safety and well-being.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to promote communication and coping skills among patients.
- Maintained compliance with regulatory standards and hospital policies for mental health care.
- Collaborated with psychiatrists to develop medication protocols that provided optimal patient outcomes.
- Monitored patient safety and well-being by administering medications, providing care plans, and responding to crisis situations.
- Engaged in regular meetings with physicians and other members of the clinical team to discuss patient progress.
- Evaluated effectiveness of existing treatments through assessments of symptom reduction over time.
- Conducted discharge planning activities that included arranging follow-up appointments with primary care providers or specialists.
- Conducted group therapy sessions focused on developing coping skills and managing stressors.
- Provided direct supervision to nursing staff, including mentoring, scheduling, performance evaluations, and training new employees.
- Maintained medical records in accordance with HIPAA guidelines while ensuring accuracy of information entered into the system.
- Implemented strategies to reduce restraints used on patients when possible.
Charge Nurse
St. Landry Extended Care Hospital
Opelousas
09.2016 - 03.2017
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure quality patient care and adherence to protocols.
- Collaborated with physicians to develop and implement patient treatment plans.
- Managed patient admissions, transfers, and discharges efficiently and accurately.
- Oversaw medication administration to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care management.
- Addressed patient concerns promptly to enhance satisfaction and comfort levels.
- Evaluated patient conditions regularly to identify changes in health status effectively.
- Delegated tasks appropriately among staff members according to their qualifications.
- Coordinated communication between physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding patient care.
- Conducted daily rounds to assess patient conditions, evaluate progress towards goals, and document changes in status or plan of care as needed.
- Coordinated and performed patient admissions, transfers and discharges.
- Directed unit staff and promoted quality care for diverse patients.
- Provided direct patient care, including assessments and treatments, to a variety of patients.
- Built and maintained strong working relationships between nursing department and other disciplines.
- Responded quickly to emergent situations such as cardiac arrest or respiratory distress.
- Supervised Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants.
- Organized and delegated tasks during rapid response and high-pressure code situations.
- Oversaw medication administration, monitored distribution and documented responses.
- Educated patients, caregivers and families on diagnoses, treatment and disease prevention.
- Audited patient charts in real-time, verifying accuracy and completion of information.
- Evaluated patient outcomes against established standards of care.
- Managed staffing levels within the unit while ensuring optimal levels of patient care.
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Phoenix Behavioral Hospital
Rayne
08.2015 - 03.2016
- Provided direct patient care in psychiatric units for diverse patient populations.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to treatments and therapies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans.
- Conducted mental health assessments and documented findings in electronic health records.
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies to ensure patient safety and well-being.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to promote communication and coping skills among patients.
- Maintained compliance with regulatory standards and hospital policies for mental health care.
- Collaborated with psychiatrists to develop medication protocols that provided optimal patient outcomes.
- Monitored patient safety and well-being by administering medications, providing care plans, and responding to crisis situations.
- Engaged in regular meetings with physicians and other members of the clinical team to discuss patient progress.
- Conducted discharge planning activities that included arranging follow-up appointments with primary care providers or specialists.
- Facilitated communication between families and other healthcare providers regarding changes in patient status or treatments being administered.
- Maintained medical records in accordance with HIPAA guidelines while ensuring accuracy of information entered into the system.
- Implemented strategies to reduce restraints used on patients when possible.
- Assessed patient risk levels for suicide or self-harm behaviors and implemented interventions as needed.
- Adhered to hospital policies related to infection control measures such as hand hygiene protocols.
- Performed rounds at least twice daily to monitor patient behavior and physical health conditions.
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Compass Behavioral Hospital
Lafayette
08.2012 - 08.2015
- Provided direct patient care in psychiatric units for diverse patient populations.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to treatments and therapies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans.
- Conducted mental health assessments and documented findings in electronic health records.
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies to ensure patient safety and well-being.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to promote communication and coping skills among patients.
- Maintained compliance with regulatory standards and hospital policies for mental health care.
- Collaborated with psychiatrists to develop medication protocols that provided optimal patient outcomes.
- Monitored patient safety and well-being by administering medications, providing care plans, and responding to crisis situations.
- Engaged in regular meetings with physicians and other members of the clinical team to discuss patient progress.
- Conducted group therapy sessions focused on developing coping skills and managing stressors.
- Provided direct supervision to nursing staff, including mentoring, scheduling, performance evaluations, and training new employees.
- Facilitated communication between families and other healthcare providers regarding changes in patient status or treatments being administered.
- Maintained medical records in accordance with HIPAA guidelines while ensuring accuracy of information entered into the system.
- Implemented strategies to reduce restraints used on patients when possible.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Regional Medical Center
Lafayette
09.2011 - 11.2012
- Admit medically unstable patients to the unit.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, diagnose, and treat acute conditions (heart attacks, respiratory distress syndromes, and shock).
- Monitored patients' reactions to treatments, assessing for adverse effects and effectiveness to inform clinical decisions.
- Provided comprehensive care to patients before and after invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, enhancing recovery and patient outcomes.
- Administer medications by mouth, transdermally, and intravenously.
- Maintained accurate, detailed reports and records for seven patients, ensuring continuity of care.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Senior Village Nursing And Rehab Center
Opelousas
12.1994 - 08.2011
- Administered medications and wound care (stages I-III) while assisting with bedside care to promote patient recovery.
- Monitor vital signs and report all negative changes to physicians.
- Administered immunizations prescribed by physicians.
- Track and record patients' oral intake and output for hydration assessment.
- Provide oversight to CNAs (ten).
- Provided emotional support to residents and families, fostering a compassionate care environment.
- Assist with daily needs such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, and transferring.
- Observe patients for skin breakdown.
- Documented patient medical histories in electronic records to ensure accurate and comprehensive care.
Education
Master of Science - PMHNP
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA05-2026
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Practice
Louisiana State University
Alexandria, LA05-2021
Associate of Science - Nursing Practice
Louisiana Stae University
Eunice, LA05-2011
LPN - LPN
Louisiana Technical College
Opelousas, LA03-1993
High School Diploma -
Palmetto High School
Palmetto, LA05-1990
Skills
- Patient assessment
- Patient care planning
- Care planning
- Medication management
- Acute care management
- Emergency response
- Peer mentoring
- Electronic health records
- Treatment documentation
- Health education
- Patient education
- Addiction support
- Risk assessment
- Mental health support
- Psychiatric assessment
- Behavior management
- Patient family support
- Individual care planning
- Therapeutic dialogue
- Team collaboration
- Team collaboration and communication
- Staff supervision
- Peer mentoring
- Conflict resolution
- Empathy skills
- Mental evaluation
- Patient assessments
- Mental evaluation
Certification
ACLS, CPR
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Genesis Behavioral Hospital
09.2024 - Current
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Vermilion Healthcare System
03.2021 - 03.2022
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Nurses Direct Staffing
05.2020 - 05.2021
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Oceans Behavioral Health of Opelousas
11.2019 - 03.2022
Charge Nurse Rehab
St. Francis Christus Cabrini
12.2018 - 07.2019
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Oceans Behavioral Health of Alexandria
07.2017 - 01.2019
Charge Nurse
St. Landry Extended Care Hospital
09.2016 - 03.2017
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Phoenix Behavioral Hospital
08.2015 - 03.2016
Psychiatric Charge Nurse
Compass Behavioral Hospital
08.2012 - 08.2015
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Regional Medical Center
09.2011 - 11.2012
Licensed Practical Nurse
Senior Village Nursing And Rehab Center
12.1994 - 08.2011
Charge Nurse
Compass Behavioral Health
2022 - 09.2024
Master of Science - PMHNP
McNeese State University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Practice
Louisiana State University
Associate of Science - Nursing Practice
Louisiana Stae University
LPN - LPN
Louisiana Technical College
High School Diploma -
Palmetto High School