Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Penelope Fuller

Colorado Springs

Summary

Compassionate and dedicated Staff Nurse with extensive experience at Huntsville Hospital, excelling in patient education and safety. Proven ability to enhance patient outcomes through effective medication administration and critical thinking. Recognized for fostering strong patient relationships and advocating for their needs, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based care in fast-paced environments.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Staff Nurse, Ortho- Trauma

Commonspirit Penrose
08.2024 - Current
  • Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
  • Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
  • 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.

Staff Nurse, Surgical Service Line Float/ Ortho

Huntsville Hospital Main
06.2021 - 06.2024

Worked on Otho-Trauma floor, caring for patients with injuries related to falls, Motor Vehicle Accidents, etc

Transitioned to Surgical Service Line float pool, caring for patients requiring surgery in various specialties including: vascular, GI, general, neurological, Orthopedic, Bariatric, spine, and joint replacement.

  • 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.
  • Educated patients on self-care management, empowering them to take an active role in their overall health and wellbeing.
  • 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.
  • Assisted physicians with diagnostic procedures, ensuring accurate results for optimal treatment planning.
  • 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.
  • Improved patient satisfaction scores by providing empathetic, compassionate care to diverse populations.
  • Promoted a culture of safety by strictly adhering to infection control measures and reporting any potential hazards or concerns.

Travel Nurse

Aya Healthcare
11.2020 - 05.2021

November 2020 through February 2021 worked Telemetry unit at Renown Regional Hospital in Reno, Nevada. I took a break between assignments to spend time with family. April 2021 through May 2021 worked Step Down unit at St Josephs Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

  • Contributed to efficient unit operations by managing time effectively, prioritizing tasks based on urgency, and delegating responsibilities appropriately.
  • Improved patient outcomes with timely administration of medications and treatments as ordered by physicians.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient care plans and ensure seamless continuity of care during transitions.
  • Demonstrated adaptability in adjusting to various clinical settings while traveling to different hospitals as a Travel Nurse Telemetry professional.
  • Developed strong rapport with patients from diverse backgrounds through active listening skills and empathetic communication techniques.
  • Played a critical role in life-saving situations by quickly recognizing and responding to signs of patient deterioration or distress.
  • Promoted a positive work environment by actively participating in unit meetings and fostering teamwork among colleagues.
  • Enhanced patient safety by closely monitoring vital signs, telemetry readings, and interpreting data for medical staff.
  • Expedited treatment decision-making by accurately documenting patient information in electronic health records.
  • Optimized resource utilization by recommending appropriate medical equipment adjustments or replacements based on telemetry trends observed over time.
  • Increased patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and individualized care to Telemetry patients.

Registered Nurse

Huntsville Hospital Main
05.2000 - 11.2020

May 2000 through December 2006 worked as staff nurse on Nephrology/ Internal medicine floor

December 2006 through November 2010 worked as night shift charge nurse on General Medicine floor

November 2010 through May 2013 worked as staff nurse on General Surgery floor

May 2013 through May 2016 worked as staff nurse on Cardiac Step Down unit

May 2016 through May 2017 worked as staff nurse in Emergency Department

May 2017 through August 2018 worked as night shift charge nurse Admission/ Observation unit

August 2018 through November 2020 worked as staff nurse on Respiratory Care Unit

  • 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.
  • Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
  • 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.
  • Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
  • Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
  • 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.
  • Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
  • Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.

Education

Nursing

Troy State University
Montgomery, Al
05-2000

Skills

  • Patient education
  • Patient safety
  • Direct patient care
  • Medication and IV administration
  • Patient care
  • Wound care
  • Infection control measures
  • Care planning
  • Medication administration
  • Patient management
  • Family education
  • Emergency care
  • Specimen collection
  • Disease prevention
  • Quality improvement
  • Skill development
  • Tracheostomy care
  • Surgical nursing
  • Vaccine administration
  • Health promotion
  • Geriatric nursing
  • Clinical judgment
  • Intake and discharge
  • Diabetes management
  • Cardiac nursing
  • Chronic disease management
  • Team training and development
  • Nursing process
  • Cerner and Epic EMR software
  • Wound care management
  • Respiratory support
  • HIPAA protocol adherence
  • Monitoring vital signs
  • Documentation
  • Vitals monitoring
  • Critical thinking
  • Patient care assessment
  • Compassionate and caring
  • Decision-making
  • Blood draw and sample collection
  • Patient condition monitoring
  • Procedure assistance
  • Accurate documentation
  • Patient and family advocacy
  • Intravenous therapy
  • CPR/AED
  • Delegation and motivation
  • Certified in CPR/AED

Certification

  • BLS certification current

Languages

English

Timeline

Staff Nurse, Ortho- Trauma

Commonspirit Penrose
08.2024 - Current

Staff Nurse, Surgical Service Line Float/ Ortho

Huntsville Hospital Main
06.2021 - 06.2024

Travel Nurse

Aya Healthcare
11.2020 - 05.2021

Registered Nurse

Huntsville Hospital Main
05.2000 - 11.2020

Nursing

Troy State University
Penelope Fuller