Cassandra Willis
Summary
Previously a medical- surgical nurse assisting in the care of pre-op and post-operative patients. Currently an Acute Pain Service Nurse in a level 1 trauma center with over 6 years experience working in urgent and high patient volume settings. Excellent communication and organizational skills. Knowledge in charge role, triage, preceptor of new nurses or new graduates and flow facilitator.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Pain Management Registered Nurse
VCU Health System
Richmond
04.2019 - Current
- Assessed patients' pain levels using established protocols and assessment tools.
- Administered prescribed medications and monitored patient responses continuously.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive pain management plans.
- Educated patients on pain management techniques and self-care strategies.
- Conducted follow-up assessments to evaluate effectiveness of pain management interventions.
- Facilitated communication between family members involved in the care of the patient with regard to their specific needs related to managing their condition.
- Served as a resource person for staff members seeking information about Pain Management Nursing practice standards.
- Performed physical assessments to determine the source of pain and develop a plan of care with appropriate interventions.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists, mental health professionals, social workers, and other healthcare providers to ensure quality care delivery.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
- Achieved departmental goals and objectives by instituting new processes and standards for in-patient care.
Registered Nurse Emergency Department
VCU Medical Center Emergency Department
Richmond
10.2010 - 04.2019
- Treated patients with strokes, head traumas, comas and intracranial hematomas.
- Ensured efficacy of treatments through monitoring of treatment regimens.
- Assigned staff to meet patient care needs and address productivity standards, while adjusting for census,and skill mix .
- Helped physicians examine and treat patients by assisting with instruments, injections and suture removal.
- Performed pregnancy tests and sent specimens for laboratory testing.
- Effectively served as an advisory resource by providing patient/family experience expertise.
- Maintained patient privacy and confidential patient information.
- Conducted annual performance evaluations of nursing staff.
- Incorporated evidence-based care into practice environment to ensure high quality care for patients and their families.
- Ensured HIPAA compliance.
- Regularly evaluated employee performance, provided feedback and assisted, coached and disciplined staff as needed.
- Performed lab tests and communicated results.
- Evaluated patient care needs, prioritized treatment and maintained patient flow.
- Educated patients about their treatments.
- Greeted visitors and established the purpose of their visit to ensure timely completion of check-in procedure.
- Delegated staff nurse duties.
- Monitored patients with acute conditions.
- Worked with nurses and other clinic staff to process patients and direct them to the appropriate departments.
- Escorted patients to examination rooms and prepared them for physician exams.
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Provided diagnoses and treated patients with chronic and acute health problems, including MI, arrhythmias, asthma, COPD, pneumonia.
- Delivered high-quality and compassionate treatment to indigent and low-income patient community.
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care.
- Provided education to patients on detox and withdrawal, medications, addiction, recovery, coping skills and community resources.
- Charge nurse on the unit, resource for staff, trauma resource and flow facilitator in ER.
Registered Nurse Surgery
VCU Medical Center Critical Care Hospital
Richmond
10.2011 - 12.2012
- Delivered high-quality and compassionate treatment to indigent and low-income patient community.
- Maintained patient charts and confidential files.
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care.
- Caring for medical and surgical patients pre and post operative.
- Wound care and teaching patients how to care for wounds @ discharge
- Precepting and orienting new hires and new graduate nurses as well as nursing students being trained on the unit.
- Performed lab tests and communicated results.
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations, and nursing diagnoses.
- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, treatments, medications, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented progress of individuals participating in clinical trials.
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through a team nursing process covering 3-5 high acuity patients per shift.
- Served as a liaison between patients and physicians to assist patients in understanding their treatment plans.
- Evaluated patient care needs, prioritized treatment and maintained patient flow.
- Provided necessary health education training for patients.
- Charge nurse
Registered Nurse Surgery
Tucson Medical Center
Tucson
04.2008 - 10.2010
- Delivered high-quality and compassionate treatment to indigent and low-income patient community.
- Maintained patient charts and confidential files.
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care.
- Provided caring companionship to elderly and developmentally disabled patients.
- Helped physicians examine and treat patients by assisting with instruments, injections and suture removal.
- Performed lab tests and communicated results.
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations, and nursing diagnoses.
- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, treatments, medications, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Evaluated patient care needs, prioritized treatment and maintained patient flow.
- Provided necessary health education training for patients.
- Cared for pre and post op patients
- Cared for palliative and hospice patients
- Provided diagnoses and treated patients with chronic and acute health problems, including MI, arrhythmias, asthma, COPD, pneumonia.
- Educated patients about their treatments.
- Provided treatment within scope of practice as defined by state law.
- Assisted patients with healing and recovery after surgery.
- Delegated staff nurse duties.
- Ensured HIPAA compliance.
- Monitored patients with acute conditions.
- Provided education to patients on detox and withdrawal, medications, addiction, recovery, coping skills and community resources.
Staff Registered Nurse
VCU Medical Center
Richmond
03.2005 - 03.2008
- Organized, updated and maintained over 200 patient charts.
- Provided behavioral/emotional support and supervision for those with dementia and Alzheimer's.
- Worked as part of team to ensure proper care of body mechanics and safety of patient.
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information.
- Performed lab tests and communicated results.
- Supervised and evaluated the activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance and other personnel.
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations, and nursing diagnoses.
- Helped physicians examine and treat patients by assisting with instruments, injections and suture removal.
- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, treatments, medications, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Provided education to patients on detox and withdrawal, medications, addiction, recovery, coping skills and community resources.
- Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in medical records.
- Planned and organized staff development and orientation programs for nursing services.
- Prepared specimens for analysis and established proper chronological priorities in testing.
- Maintained patient privacy and confidential patient information.
- Provided treatment within scope of practice as defined by state law.
- Evaluated patient care needs, prioritized treatment and maintained patient flow.
- Implemented new floor assignments based on evaluation of staffing requirements.
- Incorporated evidence-based care into practice environment to ensure high quality care for patients and their families.
- Took and recorded patients' temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
- Monitored post-op vitals, set up PCA, fluids, reviewed post-op orders and orient patients to unit.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented progress of individuals participating in clinical trials.
- Educated patients about their treatments.
- Assisted patients with healing and recovery after surgery.
- Delivered high-quality and compassionate treatment to indigent and low-income patient community.
- Assisted in the orientation and precepting of new nursing graduates or new hires.
- Charge nurse on unit
Licensed Practical Nurse
VCU Health Systems
Richmnd
03.2004 - 12.2004
- Took blood, tissue and fluid samples to perform laboratory tests.
- Managed wound care, gave respiratory treatments and helped with non-invasive procedures.
- Administered medication and IV therapies.
- Educated patients about their treatments.
- Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients.
- Assisted patients with multiple chronic diagnoses, including COPD and asthma.
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Ensured HIPAA compliance.
- Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in medical records.
- Served as a liaison between patients and physicians to assist patients in understanding their treatment plans.
- Maintained patient charts and confidential files.
- Monitored patients with acute conditions.
- Took and recorded patients' temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA 08.2003 - 08.2004
Licensed Practical Nurse - Registered Nurse
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond05-2003
Skills
- CPR and BLS certified
- ACLS certified
- Staff training and development
- Patient-oriented
- Critical thinking proficiency
- Personal and professional integrity
- Strong clinical judgment
- Staffing management
* Dependability
*Attention to detail
* Fast Learner
Education and Training
USA
Timeline
Pain Management Registered Nurse
VCU Health System
04.2019 - Current
Registered Nurse Surgery
VCU Medical Center Critical Care Hospital
10.2011 - 12.2012
Registered Nurse Emergency Department
VCU Medical Center Emergency Department
10.2010 - 04.2019
Registered Nurse Surgery
Tucson Medical Center
04.2008 - 10.2010
Staff Registered Nurse
VCU Medical Center
03.2005 - 03.2008
Licensed Practical Nurse
VCU Health Systems
03.2004 - 12.2004
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
08.2003 - 08.2004
Licensed Practical Nurse - Registered Nurse
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
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