Sarah Thalken-Atwell
Highlands Ranch
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, CHARGE, PACU, PREOP & OR
Park Ridge Surgery Center
01.2016 - Current
- Opening a urology surgery center in Lone Tree.
- Proficient in training and orienting new employees. Taking on all nursing roles within an ambulatory center including education, supervision, PACU, OR and pre-op clinical nursing. Adapting new processes and administrating necessary steps in support. Communication with staff and surgeons regarding educational needs, patient care and surgical procedures.
- Ordering of pharmaceuticals for the surgery center including chemotherapy, narcotics and anesthesia medications.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by developing patient education, participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- 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.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Enhanced patient safety by implementing strict adherence to surgical protocols and guidelines.
- Consistently met regulatory requirements through meticulous documentation of patient records and surgical logs.
- Successfully managed high-pressure situations while maintaining composure under challenging circumstances.
- Contributed to a reduction in surgery-related errors by participating in ongoing quality improvement initiatives.
- Promoted an atmosphere of collaboration among all surgical team members, facilitating smooth operation flows.
- Ensured timely patient flow through efficient management of OR schedules and staff assignments.
- Maintained sterile environments, minimizing the risk of infection during surgeries.
- Continually updated nursing knowledge through professional development opportunities, staying current with industry best practices.
- Reduced postoperative complications by providing thorough preoperative assessments and education for patients.
- Streamlined operating room processes by effectively coordinating equipment and supplies for surgical procedures.
- Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and safe environment.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures.
Registered Nurse
Sky Ridge Surgery Center
12.2005 - 12.2015
- Duties included RN roles caring for pediatric and adult populations in the OR, Pre-op, PAT, and PACU. Circulating in the OR for ENT, Plastics, Ortho, Podiatry, Opthalmic,Pediatric Urology, and general surgical cases.
- 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.
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Surgery Center at Park Meadows
01.2005 - 12.2005
- Duties included circulating in the OR for ENT and plastics surgical cases.
- Maintained a sterile environment within the operating room, reducing the risk of infection.
- Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and safe environment.
- Coordinated with surgeons and staff to deliver safe patient care during operations.
Registered Nurse
Poway Surgery Center
08.2001 - 02.2004
- Originally HealthSouth Surgery Center. Purchased and renamed Poway Surgery Center in October 2002.
- Duties included performing all aspects of nursing care for outpatient surgery from Pre op to circulating in the OR and PACU. Specific duties include but not limited to, starting IVs, reviewing medical histories, and obtaining consents, circulating in the OR, administering sedation, monitoring patients in the OR, recovering patients, and teaching discharge instructions to patients and families.
Register Nurse
Iowa Health Systems
08.1994 - 05.2001
- September 1998- May 2001. Register Nurse, Heart Team, Surgery. Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Duties included circulating and scrubbing for CABG, valve, and lung resection surgeries.
- April 1996- September 1998. Registered Nurse, ICU/CCU. Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Duties included care of the acutely ill ventilated patient. Recovery of the CABG and valve patients immediately post operatively. Extubation of these patients, blood draws, care of pressure lines and arterial blood draws.
- August 1995- April 1996. Registered Nurse, pulmonary med/surg floor. Iowa Methodist Medical Center.
- August 1994-August 1995. Licensed Practical Nurse, pulmonary med/surg floor. Iowa Methodist Medical Center.
Education
Bachelor of Nursing - Nursing
Aspen University
Denver, CO09.2022
Associates Nursing Degree - Registered Nurse
Des Moines Area Community College
05.1995
Communication Studies, marketing, and film
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa01.1990
Skills
- Medication and IV administration
- Medication administration
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments
- Strong clinical judgment
- Patient assessment
- Documentation and charting
- Patient education and counseling
- Wound care
- Patient care
- Infection control measures
- Patient and family advocacy
- Compassion and empathy
- Patient monitoring
- Intravenous therapy
- IV setup
- Patient evaluation
- Professional bedside manner
- Patient management
- Telemetry monitoring
- Family education
- Licensed RN
- Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification
- Taking vitals
- Nursing staff leadership
- Medication distribution
- Performing ekgs
- Intake and discharge
- High level of autonomy
- Staff supervision
- Oxygen saturation standards
Certification
Current ACLS and BLS certification, held consistently for over 15 years.
Timeline
Registered Nurse, CHARGE, PACU, PREOP & OR
Park Ridge Surgery Center
01.2016 - Current
Registered Nurse
Sky Ridge Surgery Center
12.2005 - 12.2015
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Surgery Center at Park Meadows
01.2005 - 12.2005
Registered Nurse
Poway Surgery Center
08.2001 - 02.2004
Register Nurse
Iowa Health Systems
08.1994 - 05.2001
Associates Nursing Degree - Registered Nurse
Des Moines Area Community College
Communication Studies, marketing, and film
University of Iowa
Bachelor of Nursing - Nursing
Aspen University
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