Brenda MacDonald
Ottawa,ON
Summary
Attentive, patient-focused Registered Practical Nurse with a background in geriatric care. Highly accomplished in quickly building rapport with patients, performing assessments and using clinical knowledge and skills to treat patients. Committed to deliver high-quality care to diverse patient populations.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
RPN
Amica
Ottawa, Ontario
01.2023 - Current
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols.
- Monitored patient vital signs and reported changes to healthcare team.
- Assisted in developing individual care plans for patients' needs.
- Educated patients and families on health management and wellness practices.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care delivery.
- Documented patient progress and care interventions in electronic health records.
- Trained new nursing staff on procedures and best practices in patient care.
- Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Maintained a safe environment for both staff and patients through adherence to safety protocols.
- Administered medications and treatments in accordance with physician orders.
- Used sterile techniques to prepare patients for procedures.
- Delivered compassionate care to increase comfort and psychological, social and spiritual well-being.
- Educated patients on their medical condition, treatment plans, and self-care management techniques.
- Observed and carried out physician and nursing orders.
- Responded quickly and effectively in emergency situations utilizing advanced life saving skills when needed.
- Ensured that all documentation was accurate and up-to-date according to established guidelines.
- Answered patient and family questions to educate on optimal treatment procedures.
- Trained other nurses on patient care and daily tasks, supporting growth, and professional development.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while prioritizing urgent requests from physicians or nurses.
- Communicated concerns regarding patients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values, and beliefs.
- Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
- Referred patients to specialized health resources or community agencies to furnish additional assistance.
RPN
Grace Manor
Ottawa, ON
04.2022 - Current
- Communicated concerns regarding patients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers.
- Delivered compassionate care to increase comfort and psychological, social and spiritual well-being.
- Observed and carried out physician and nursing orders.
- Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
- Used sterile techniques to prepare patients for procedures.
- Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
RPN
The Edinburgh RH
Ottawa, ON
01.2022 - Current
- Collected and documented vital signs to track current patient conditions.
- Communicated concerns regarding patients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers.
- Answered patient and family questions to educate on optimal treatment procedures.
- Delivered compassionate care to increase comfort and psychological, social and spiritual well-being.
- Observed and carried out physician and nursing orders.
- Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
- Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
- Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
RPN
At Home Hospice
Ottawa, ON
10.2021 - Current
- Answered patient and family questions to educate on optimal treatment procedures.
- Delivered compassionate care to increase comfort and psychological, social and spiritual well-being.
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.
RPN
Villagia In The Glebe
Ottawa, ON
04.2021 - 01.2022
- Performed nursing tasks to deliver high level of care and comply with procedures and regulations.
- Administered treatments, therapies and medication according to prescribed methods and protocols.
- Reported issues or unusual occurrences to charge personnel to act as patient advocate.
- Responded to emergency situations such as falls, by assessing need for further intervention.
RPN
The Glebe Centre
Ottawa, ON
04.2019 - 02.2021
- Administered oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients and monitored responses for emergent concerns
- Delivered care and treatment reflective of appropriate infection control techniques and universal precautions
- Liaised between patients and doctors, completing comprehensive assessments and recording medical information to achieve recovery goals
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented responses to stay on top of changes in patient conditions
- Identified perceptions of patient and family related to [Type] problems and functionality or treatment expectations
- Treated patients following physician’s orders and treatment plan, administering various types of medications and therapies
- Acted as liaison for hospital staff, physicians, patients and family members
- Identified patients' functional issues based on symptoms and behavior changes
- Measured and monitored patient vital signs
RPN
Cite Parkway
Ottawa, ON
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
- Assessed and coordinated patient's discharge planning needs with healthcare team members.
- Liaised between patients and doctors, completing comprehensive assessments and recording medical information to achieve recovery goals.
- Updated medical records with current vitals, behavioral observations and medication details.
- Educated patients, caregivers and families on diagnoses, treatment options and disease prevention.
- Administered medications, IVs, and injections in accordance with treatment plan directions.
- Acted as liaison for hospital staff, physicians, patients and family members.
- Identified cognitive functioning, mental status, physiological condition and patient needs.
- Measured and monitored patient vital signs.
- Documented nursing care provided in patients' medical record.
RPN
Amica at Westboro Park
Ottawa
05.2017 - 01.2019
- Assisted patients with healing and recovery after surgery.
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care.
- Often commended for maintaining the safety, respect and dignity of residents.
- Provided quality nursing care in accordance with resident care policies and procedures.
- Routinely evaluated the overall resident care within the facility and diligently enforced high standards.
- Served as a liaison between patients and physicians to assist patients in understanding their treatment plans.
- Performed all tasks with a patient-centered focus while seeking opportunities for improvement of processes and treatments.
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information.
- Assisted patients with multiple chronic diagnoses, including COPD and asthma.
- Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in medical records.
- Provided necessary health education training for patients.
RPN
Nurse Next Door
Ottawa
05.2017 - 12.2018
- Performed all tasks with a patient-centered focus while seeking opportunities for improvement of processes and treatments.
- Provided primary resident care and assistance with daily living activities.
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care.
- Frequently commended for maintaining the safety, respect and dignity of residents.
- Provided palliative care in outpatient settings ranging from assessment to development and implementation of care plans.
PSW
Carefor
Ottawa
01.2017 - 05.2017
- Delivered high-quality and compassionate treatment to indigent and low-income patient community.
- Served as liaison between management, clinical staff and the community.
- Provided palliative care in outpatient settings ranging from assessment to development and implementation of care plans.
PSW
Saint Elizabeth
Ottawa
05.2014 - 12.2016
- Provided primary resident care and assistance with daily living activities.
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care.
- Frequently commended for maintaining the safety, respect and dignity of residents.
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information.
- Provided palliative care in outpatient settings ranging from assessment to development and implementation of care plans.
- Delivered high-quality and compassionate treatment to indigent and low-income patient community.
Education
Diploma - RPN
Algonquin College
2016
Diploma - PSW
Everest College
2013
Diploma - E.C.E.
Sir Sandford Fleming College
1999
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
St. Jerome's College, University of Waterloo
1997
Skills
- Colostomy care
- Specimen collection/processing proficiency
- Enthusiastic caregiver
- Managing student outcomes
- Sound decision-making
- Staffing management
- Diabetes, Hospice and Stroke Patient Care
- Reporting skills
- Patient and family focused
- Drug administration trained
- Interpersonal skills
- Strong clinical judgment
Affiliations
CNO
RPNAO
Interests
Reading
Cooking and baking
Skating
Hiking
Dance
Music (play several instruments)
Animals and their rights
Wound care
Palliative care
Timeline
RPN
Amica
01.2023 - Current
RPN
Grace Manor
04.2022 - Current
RPN
The Edinburgh RH
01.2022 - Current
RPN
At Home Hospice
10.2021 - Current
RPN
Villagia In The Glebe
04.2021 - 01.2022
RPN
Cite Parkway
08.2019 - 06.2020
RPN
The Glebe Centre
04.2019 - 02.2021
RPN
Amica at Westboro Park
05.2017 - 01.2019
RPN
Nurse Next Door
05.2017 - 12.2018
PSW
Carefor
01.2017 - 05.2017
PSW
Saint Elizabeth
05.2014 - 12.2016
Diploma - RPN
Algonquin College
Diploma - PSW
Everest College
Diploma - E.C.E.
Sir Sandford Fleming College
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
St. Jerome's College, University of Waterloo