Maureen Coshall

• Provided direct care in surgical, cardiac and neurological critical care units.
• Ensured strict compliance with infection control protocols to protect patients, staff, and visitors.
• Participated in daily rounds with attending physicians to discuss patient status and outcomes.
• Checked on patients regularly to track progress with treatments, changes in symptoms and need for emergency interventions.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop and modify individualized care plans.
• Administered medications and treatments as prescribed, ensuring compliance with healthcare protocols.
• Managed life sustaining treatments such as ventilator support or dialysis therapies.
• Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care and safety.
• Detected emerging problems by monitoring patients' behavior, vital signs and fluid intake and output.
• Managed the administration of blood products and monitored patients for adverse reactions.
• Operated and monitored life support systems and medical devices specific to the critical care setting.
• Provided emotional support to patients and their families during difficult times.
• Provided comprehensive care to critically ill patients, including those with complex medical and surgical conditions.
• Educated family members about end-of-life care options for critically ill patients.
• Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
• Assisted physicians with procedures such as intubations and chest tube placements.
• Assessed patients, documented observations and reviewed patient charts to determine care needs.
• Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
• Implemented evidence-based practice protocols to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
• Facilitated communication between patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to create, implement and adapt individualized care plans.
• Administered care to patients suffering from catastrophic traumatic injuries.
• Mentored new nurses on practices and procedures to drive patient outcome goals.
• Ensured compliance with safety regulations in the Critical Care Unit.
• Applied evidence-based practices to wound care, preventing infections and promoting healing.
• Provided guidance and clinical expertise to nursing staff regarding CCU protocols and procedures.
• Kept track of patients' changing pain levels and proactively worked to minimize excess pain or discomfort.
• Treated patients with broad range of acute, life-threatening diagnoses.
• Advocated for patients, ensuring their needs and preferences were communicated to the healthcare team.
• Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify healthcare needs and potential complications.
• Assisted in the orientation and mentoring of new nursing staff, enhancing team capabilities.
• Conducted patient education on disease prevention and proper nutrition.
• Assessed patient vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure.
• Performed emergency medical procedures, such as advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), when necessary.
• Engaged in professional development activities to stay current with advancements in critical care nursing.
• Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
• Monitored patient vital signs, assessing and responding to changes in patient conditions promptly.
• Responded quickly and appropriately to emergency situations within the unit.
• Utilized a wide range of medical equipment, including ventilators and intravenous (IV) pumps, to support patient care.
• Administered medications as prescribed by physician.
• Monitored patient progress and reported changes in condition to the medical team.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
• Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
• Performed wound care for post-operative patients.
• Developed policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of practice related to critical care nursing.
• Identified abnormal and critical respiratory patterns through direct pulmonary assessments.
• Maintained detailed patient records, documenting care provided and patient progress.
• Educated patients and their families on disease processes, medical procedures, and self-care skills.
• Supervised cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms and oxygen delivery devices.
• Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
• Managed the care of patients on mechanical ventilation, optimizing respiratory function and monitoring for complications.
• Managed vasoactive drug administration and titration, thrombolytic therapy, dysrhythmia interpretation, and chest tube management.
• Implemented advanced life support techniques and interventions during emergency situations to stabilize patients.
• Prioritized patient care assignments based on patient conditions to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Evaluated patient vital signs and laboratory data to assess needs and provide emergency interventions.
• Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
• Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
• Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
• Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
• Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
• Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
• Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.

I essentially performed the same tasks as described under those of the CHATHAM KENT HEALTH ALLIANCE, as well as monitoring patient status utilizing advanced equipment such as PA Catheters/ Arterial Catheters / ICP Catheters.

This hospital was a central patient care hospital receiving transfers of critically ill patients from numerous hospitals in SW Ontario, requiring more advanced patient interventions than these hospitals were not able to provide.

I provided nursing care to trauma patients/ complicated pre- and post- surgical patients/ critical medical patients ... both adult and paediatric.

The care which I provided is the same as in the Critical Care Trauma Unit, Victoria Hospital, London ON.

In all units I sometimes also worked as the Team Leader.

I worked in the ICU, providing care to critically ill patients, as outlined previously.

I cared for pre- and post-surgical patients.

This encompassed:

• admitting and assessing new patients
• initiating IVs/ administering IV fluids and blood products
• prepping patients for surgery, including educating the patient and the family re: the surgical procedure/ possible risks/ expected outcomes/ deep breathing post-op/ active and passive limb exercises
• post-operative patient care
• total system assessments of patients on a per-shift basis, as well as periodic status monitoring during the shift
• team leadership/ co-ordination of primary and auxiliary staff were roles taken by all RNs in turn
• assessment of effectiveness of medication was a continual role
• in the case of a reaction to a medication, the administration of emergency drugs / reporting the patient's status to the physician were my responsibilities

I worked as a Staff Nurse in this unit twice - from September/1971 to September/1972 and again from September/1976 to March/1977 when I returned home in Ontario due to a family emergency.

This was my first nursing experience after graduating. We nursed post-operative patients/ both pre- and post-partum patients with complications/ neonatal emergencies sometimes requiring mechanical ventilation as well as frequent cardiac stimulation/ paediatric and adult medical and trauma patients.

This was an 8-bed unit and the night shift staff was only one RN. It was very hectic.

During my employment I often went on (unpaid) emergency transports during my days off via helicopter.