stella dix

Began career as a new graduate in the CICU/ Cardiac Step-down unit and obtained my certifications before transferring to the new 7 bed CICU to care for patients requiring invasive CVP monitoring placed under fluoroscopy after cardiopulmonary events requiring ventilator support. Developed strong patient education skills for MI, Angina, CAD, Cardiac Catheterization, Angioplasty, Cardiac Stent placement and Coronary Bypass surgery. Escorted patients when transported via ambulance to center city hospitals for invasive cardiac procedures.

Performed nurse assessment, reviewed lab test results, accessed all central and peripheral IV access, verified doses, administered chemotherapy via all routes to patients, providing chemotherapy education. Managed educational literature provided by pharmaceutical representatives, organized staff in-services, while simultaneously administering chemotherapy. Maintained supplies, assisting fellow coworkers and patients with written chemotherapy literature to take home.

Selected by an oncologist from Coastal Cancer Center, to embark on a mission, starting a new Oncology practice, Waccamaw Oncology. Assessed, triaged and educated patients, accessed all IV devices, drew labs, ran blood tests, mixed, calculated, verified doses and administered chemotherapy by all routes. Moved and opened a new practice of 400 patients, and months later opened a satellite office in Murrells Inlet, SC. Administered chemotherapy to 10 patients/day, including 2 half days in satellite office. Maintained all patient education literature obtained from pharmaceutical companies and the many in-services provided through the local ONS chapter. This assisted co-workers and patients alike, providing them with chemotherapy literature to take home. Was the founding President for Coastal South Carolina Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, and received our chapter charter in October 2002 with a membership of 180 oncology healthcare providers. Held the position for 2.5 years until moving back to PA.

Calculated, mixed and administered chemotherapy to an average of 10 patients per day in a 15 chair Infusion room. Rotated into the oncology clinic as the oncology clinic RN for a very busy medical oncology practice consisting of 4 medical oncologists who saw an average of 10 oncology patients per day. Relied heavily on keen assessment skills and a love of patient education. Also rotated in the port room to access and flush ports, insert peripheral IV access and administer injections. Received start in oncology with on the job training and certifications, which provided a rock solid foundation in medical oncology, including Care Management, even before Care Management was a formal job title. Looking back on that experience, the best memory was knowing that the team provided continuity of care to all patients while at the same time, rotating in all 3 areas provided me with variety making every day new, unique and exciting and also making me a more valuable resource.

Critical Care RN Caring for patients status post Myocardial Infarctions (MI), Cardiopulmonary and CVA events requiring ventilator support, Cardiac Catheterizations, angioplasty, and placement of coronary artery stents but also Intracranial Pressure Monitoring (ICP) status post Brain surgery. All of the above require great technical skills, assessment skills, and the ability to detect and interpret a change in a patients condition early on in their recovery process and anticipate your next intervention. One of my best attributes was the ability to detect small changes and communicate and report my assessment findings to colleagues and providers.

Rotated through a 5 bed Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, an 8 bed Observation Unit for Intubated/Ventilated patients, a 10 bed cardiac stepdown unit for 4 yrs. Frequently volunteered to be the transport RN for the ambulance crews with paramedics only, for patients being transported to center city Philadelphia hospitals for Cardiac Catheterizations, angioplasty and heart surgery. One year, rotated into the 10 bed Surgical Intensive Care Unit caring for Trauma patients and obtained my Trauma Certification.

Staff RN to a busy Medical Oncologist/Hematologist seeing an average of 12 oncology patients per day.