Annette Matthews
Berthoud
Summary
I have been a nurse for 40 years. I have several years of NICU and general pediatric experience. It was in the NICU I learned critical care thinking skills and continually assessing patients and changes that occur. I learned how to manage high acuity patient loads in high-pressure environments.
I then worked in Pre-op and PACU at both a hospital and outpatient surgery center. In these places I continued to hone my assessment and critical care skills. I was dedicated to providing excellent patient care, safety and satisfaction.
For 28 years I have been working in an eye surgery center, beginning in the pre-op and PACU areas, and eventually moving back to the OR. Currently I continue to work in the OR, providing safe, accurate, efficient patient care. Our OR team is committed to providing the best, safest, most compassionate and up-to-date care for our patients while performing a variety of ophthalmic procedures.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Eye Center of Northern Colorado
Fort Collins, CO
11.1997 - Current
- Facilitate patient safety protocols during surgical procedures to enhance overall care quality.
- Implemented infection control measures to maintain sterile environments in the operating room.
- Participated in various research projects.
- Coordinate communication between surgeons, anesthetists, and nursing staff to ensure seamless operations.
- Ensure all paperwork is complete and accurate, including consents, clinical testing, and surgery scheduling.
- Assess patients health histories and acuity levels to assure patient safety and protocols are being followed.
- Assist anesthesia providers during surgery.
- Coordinate, organize and implement all supplies, meds, paperwork, etc needed for surgeries to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and patient safety and satisfaction.
- Coordinate and assess pediatric patients and assist with their preparation for surgery and their actual surgery.
- Assist physicians in operating room by providing necessary supplies and equipment.
- Train new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
Registered Nurse
Poudre Valley Hospital
Fort Collins, CO
1993 - 1998
- Monitored patients' vital signs and recovery progress in post-anesthesia care unit.
- Assisted anesthesia providers during pre-operative and post-operative patient assessments and care strategies.
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care and recovery expectations.
- Evaluated patient responses to interventions, adjusting care as necessary for optimal outcomes.
- Evaluated patients' pain levels, implementing correct dosage of medication to alleviate discomfort.
Registered Nurse
The Children's Hospital
Denver, CO
1990 - 1993
- Provided nursing care to premature and newborn infants, including infants with congenital heart defect, diaphragmatic hernias, gastroschises and other congenital defects and abnormalities, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and various other illnesses and diseases. managed and monitored standard pressure ventilators, jet ventilators, and oscillators. Taught parents the discharge and planning needs of the child, and assisted mothers with breastfeeding. Participated in research projects. Performed administrative duties including orientation of new nurses and student nurses, peer evaluation, and audited charts for documentation committees.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Central State University
Edmond, OK05-1985
High School Diploma -
Berthoud High School
Berthoud, CO05-1981
Skills
- Medication and IV administration
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments
- Documentation and charting
- Patient education
- Patient and family advocacy
- Infection control measures
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Maintaining sterility
- Critical thinking
- Circulating nurse skills
Certification
- PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- BLS - Basic Life Saving
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Eye Center of Northern Colorado
11.1997 - Current
Registered Nurse
Poudre Valley Hospital
1993 - 1998
Registered Nurse
The Children's Hospital
1990 - 1993
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Central State University
High School Diploma -
Berthoud High School
Daisy Award
I received the award for "extraordinary compassionate care" of a patient in PACU.