LYNDA AJUZIE
McDonough
Summary
Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse Intermediate Care Unit
Piedmont Rockdale Hospital
06.2024 - Current
- Administered patient medications and treatments per physician orders, ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized care plans for patients.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes in patient conditions, enhancing early intervention strategies.
- Educated patients and families on post-discharge care, improving understanding of health management.
Registered Nurse
Piedmont Newton Hospital
06.2023 - 06.2024
- Administered patient care, monitoring vital signs and responding to medical emergencies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Educated patients and families on health conditions, treatment options, and preventive measures.
- Trained and mentored new nursing staff, enhancing team performance and patient care quality.
Registered RN Med-Surg/Telemetry Registered Nurse
Travel RN Medical Surgical, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Effectively prioritized assignments, executing care based on each patient's relative condition and delegating tasks to available personnel deliver safe and efficient care.
- Worked within interdisciplinary health care team to develop, implement and make adjustments to patient care plans, individualizing strategies and methods to improve health and meet recovery goals.
Clinical Psych Nurse
Riverwoods Behavioral Hospital
01.2020 - 09.2022
- Provided direct quality care to patients by monitoring, recording and evaluating psychiatric conditions.
- Oversaw care of suicidal patients and acted swiftly to reduce risk of harm to themselves or others.
- Responded to numerous volatile situations and violent outbreaks to restore safety and security of patients and staff.
- Performed patient assessments to monitor expected response to medications and altering treatment plans.
- Coordinated with medical and paramedical professionals to provide appropriate input and effectively formulate and implement treatment plans for patients.
- Monitored vital signs, nutritional intake and signs and symptoms of complications to report deviations to supervisor.
- Monitored primary care needs for patients to coordinate access to appropriate providers.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
Travel Nurse
Atrium Navicent Hospital Macon GA
03.2022 - 08.2022
- Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Documented patient interactions and interventions in EPIC EMR.
Clinical Nurse Reviewer/Telephonic Nurse Case Manager
UnitedHealth Group
11.2014 - 03.2022
- Developed and maintained quality care systems and standards with goal of improving cost efficient healthcare for clients.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to customers, handled challenging situations with ease.
Staff Registered Nurse
Piedmont Healthcare
01.2009 - 12.2019
- Improving medical protocols and guidelines
- Participated in continuing education programs and eweb workshops to enhance training and nursing knowledge
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system
- Answered patient questions and provided take-home materials for further information
- Reached out to patients to convey lab results and provide care instructions
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology
- Communicated with primary care physicians or emergency care providers to relay patient needs
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care to deliver comprehensive services
- Precepted new nurses and staff and provided continuous hands-on development opportunities
- Reviewed and recorded progress of patients
- Coordinated support services and optimized communication between healthcare workers and patients
- Determined and coordinated appropriate level of care to meet individual patient needs
- Reviewed effectiveness of treatment for individual and family situations
- Communicated with legal services providers, social services agencies and local judicial systems regarding cases
- Collaborated with various healthcare providers to facilitate delivery of services
- Developed appropriate care plans for at-risk individuals and high-risk families
- Coordinated between various entities to manage cases
- Collaborated with different disciplines to provide cohesive care to patients
- Optimized program resource utilization to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions
- Assisted patients in receiving high-quality, appropriate care with best possible results
- Documented plans, findings and results and submitted to employers and insurance carriers
- Informed patients and families of treatment options and at-home care strategies to reduce unnecessary burden on hospital resources
- Lowered costs while improving care quality by coordinating services and collaborating with dedicated healthcare team
- Promoted healthy lifestyle choices to reduce re-emergence of painful or dangerous symptoms
- Answered patient questions and provided take-home materials for further information
- Administered oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients and monitored responses
- Monitored and educated nursing students and externs on proper care procedures and prioritization strategies
- Reviewed physician orders and participated in medication management to optimize patient safety
- Explained treatment procedures, medication risks, special diets and physician instructions to patients
- Facilitated strategic goals aimed at increasing satisfaction and improving outcomes through compassionate, precise and high-quality nursing care
- Instructed patients, families and caregivers on diagnoses, chronic disease management and medication self-management
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to create, implement and adapt individualized care plans
- Imparted medical, operational and patient care knowledge to junior nurses to maximize performance and quality of team operations
- Reviewed physician orders and administered therapies, treatments and medications
- Mentored new nurses on practices and procedures to drive patient outcome goals
- Used facility EMR system to update patient records, transmit prescriptions and transfer files
- Prioritized patient care assignments based on patient conditions to achieve optimal outcomes
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects
- Circulated throughout multiple hospital departments to perform nursing rounds
- Immunized patients against influenza and pneumonia to protect vulnerable populations from serious illnesses
- Maintained reports to provide oncoming shiȅ with full patient status
- Monitored patient vitals post-surgery, managed medical equipment and administered medications and IVs
- Delivered physician-ordered treatments and monitored responses to quickly spot complications and side effects
- Recorded any action or behavior of clinical significance in EPIC chart and kept physicians informed
- Assessed patients using comprehensive evaluation techniques and sound clinical judgment
- Cared expertly for individuals with wide array of medical issues such as pulmonary, cardiology and infectious disease patients
- Improved care outcomes with proactive education, communication and guidance for patients and family members
- Developed and implemented individualized care plans to meet each patients' unique needs
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions
- Stocked clinical workstations and procedure rooms with necessary supplies
- Monitored post-op vitals, set up PCA, fluids, reviewed post-op orders and assimilated patients to unit
- Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans
- Delivered quality care and comfort to patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolisms and end-stage renal disease
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans
- Executed appropriate steps for patient treatment following careful review of physician medical regimen
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients
- Maintained infection control logs, streamlined charting process, and improved patient outcomes through training and leadership
- Supervised 24-bed telemetry unit while providing direct patient care to acutely ill patients
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system
- Counseled patients and caregivers, providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support
- Treated patients by administering various types of medications and therapies
- Reached out to patients to convey lab results and provide care instructions.
Registered Nurse Case Manager
VITAS Healthcare Corporation
02.2012 - 07.2014
- Adjust treatment plans
- Consistently maintained core measures, patient satisfaction and HCAPs above 90%
- Administered scheduled medications and therapies intravenously, rectally, orally, subcutaneously and via intramuscular injections while overseeing pain management plans
- Cared for patients recovering from surgical and endoscopy procedures and provided personalized daily assistance
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues
- Developed and maintained quality care systems and standards, including creating and improving medical protocols and guidelines
- Participated in continuing education programs and in house workshops to enhance training and nursing knowledge
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions
- Treated patients using pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities to address various disorders, diseases and injuries
- Communicated with primary care physicians or emergency care providers to relay patient needs
- Delivered quality patient care from admission to discharge through direct supervision of all nursing and ancillary staff
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care
- Provided skilled direct nursing care to patients in medsurg, step down and cardiac lab department
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology
- Developed and adapted individualized treatment plans according to patient recovery goals
- Completed initial assessments of patients and family to determine and address individual home care needs
- Verified consistent delivery of compassionate care to patients with debilitating conditions, including back pain, arthritis, fractures, head injuries and strokes
- Collected biological samples for routine laboratory testing to assist diagnostic processes
- Worked with vendors on provision of medical equipment, supplies and services
- Answered patient calls, identified issues and determined how best to provide assistance within parameters established by facility and supervisor
- Sterilized equipment and supplies using germicides and autoclaves to protect patients and staff from infection
- Administered compassionate care to patients with debilitating conditions, including back pain, arthritis, fractures, head injuries and strokes
- Administered prescribed medications and started intravenous fluids to address patient symptoms and underlying etiologies
- Participated in on-call rotations and delivered after-hours care
- Supported patients with activities of daily living and functional mobility to improve comfort and quality of life and reduce pain
- Conducted regular re-evaluations to address changes in needs and conditions, introducing revisions to care plans as needed
- Charted changes in patient conditions and discussed concerns with supervising healthcare provider.
Visiting Nurse Case Manager
Visiting Nurse Health System
04.2011 - 11.2011
- Assessed home situations of patients to recommend parameters to best meet identified needs.
- Used OASIS to assess, monitor and document patient progress, symptoms and vital signs, reporting any concerns to assigned doctor.
- Implemented patient-specific interventions to decrease risk of disease exacerbation.
- Educated patients and families regarding disease processes, interventions and lifestyle changes.
Registered Nurse
Grady Health System
09.2007 - 09.2009
- Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds and managed catheters
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living and functional mobility to increase comfort and quality of life
- Assisted with personal care needs of clients in private homes while supporting patient independence and well-being
- Cared for patients recovering from surgery and outpatient/woundcare procedures and provided personalized daily assistance
- Administered scheduled medications and therapies intravenously, rectally, orally, subcutaneously and via intramuscular injections while overseeing pain management plans
- Counseled caregivers and families on end-of-life planning and educated on patient care options
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans
- Coordinated in-home skilled nursing care to patients with diverse physical needs and conditions
- Assessed patients' physical, psychosocial and emotional needs and documented in confidential medical records
- Communicated patient progress and issues with families, physicians and other agencies
- Supervised team of home health aides and certified nursing assistants in delivering patient care
- Partnered with interdisciplinary team to assess patient goals and establish treatment plans
- Administered medications and documented adverse reactions to maintain patient safety
- Created and maintained facility documents and records, maintaining accuracy while managing sensitive data
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary staff to improve overall patient care and response times
- Communicated with patients with compassion while keeping medical information private
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care to deliver comprehensive services
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects
- Delivered direct patient care, including stabilizing patients and identifying treatment options
- Maintained adequate unit supplies to meet expected patient demands
- Administered scheduled medications and therapies intravenously, rectally, orally, subcutaneously and via intramuscular injections while overseeing pain management plans
- Managed and provided leadership to help staff with direct and indirect patient care and telemetry monitoring
- Counseled patients and caregivers, providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support
- Maintained composure and efficiency during rapid response situation and emergency codes
- Assessed patients in active drug and alcohol withdrawal and provided interventions to manage physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms
- Cultivated working partnerships with patients and medical staff members, using feedback and clinical data to improve quality care and patient outcomes
- Documented nursing intervention and patient and family responses accurately and in compliance with hospital policies
- Treated patients suffering from chronic and acute medical concerns, including asthma, seizure disorders and pneumonia
- Assessed patients' response to treatment and suggested ways to combat side effects
- Participated in bedside reporting and handoff at change of shift and for patient transfers
- Completed daily chart audits and assessed clinical records to verify accuracy, evaluate performance against goals and check for appropriate education of patients and families
- Administered medications and assisted in diagnostic testing for HIV-positive patients
- Oversaw patient admission and discharge processes to coordinate efficient movements and related paperwork
- Instructed patients, caregivers and families on diagnoses, treatment options and self-management to maintain continuity of care
- Performed blood and blood product transfusions and intravenous infusions to address patient symptoms or underlying causes
- Assessed patient health needs by reviewing and tracking EKG readings to address telemetry readings and quickly inform teammates on stability or acuity changes
- Promoted safe and calm environment for complex patients by keeping services, supplies and necessary equipment on hand
- Answered patient questions and provided take-home materials for further information
- Confirmed proper functioning of life support equipment such as ventilators and feeding tubes
- Administered colostomies and ostomies, urostomies and foley tubes accurately to provide exceptional patient care
- Prepared for HIPAA and Joint Commission reviews, making required brochures and pamphlets available to patients in all clinics
- Monitored and educated nursing students and externs on proper care procedures and prioritization strategies
- Guided therapeutic communication, conflict resolutions and interventions by deflecting undesirable behaviors to assist patients with developing and amplifying coping skills
- Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions, including IV administration, wound and ostomy care and catheter insertion
- Collaborated with doctors to plan post-treatment home care and prevent return hospitalization due to complications
- Administered oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients and monitored responses
- Conducted restraint audits according to organizational guidelines and generated reports for nursing leadership review and analysis
- Cared for patients in recovery from medical procedures by caring for wounds, monitoring vitals and managing pain
- Delivered high-quality nursing care to patients on 36-bed medical-surgical unit with emphasis on orthopedics, urology and gastro-intestinal post-operative patients
- Developed and maintained quality care systems and standards, including creating and improving medical protocols and guidelines
- Communicated with primary care physicians or emergency care providers to relay patient needs
- Performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation accurately and effectively
- Observed patient's heart rate, blood pressure and respiration for signs of distress
- Facilitated patient flow during emergency situations, directing evacuations, admissions and transfers
- Treated patients using pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities to address various disorders, diseases and injuries
- Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results
- Assessed and prepared patients for procedures, performing initial and ongoing patient assessments
- Immunized patients against influenza and pneumonia to protect vulnerable populations from serious illnesses
- Maintained personal and team compliance with medication administration standards and patient care best practices
- Administered medications and treatments as directed and as appropriate for patient's medical care in collaboration with multi-disciplinary team
- Consistently assessed and evaluated patients' health needs by coordinating across medical disciplines to create, implement and modify personalized care plans.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ07.2023
Associate of Science - Nursing Science
Macon State College
Macon, GA08.2007
Skills
- Individualized Treatment Plans
- Chronic Renal Disease Management
- Medical Admissions
- Long-Term Care
- Medication Side Effect Knowledge
- Restraint Techniques
- Mental Disability Management
- Diagnostic Screenings
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Intramuscular Injections
- Mental Health Assessments
- Emergency Response
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Medication Management
- Patient Relationships
Accomplishments
Multiple Daisy Awards.
Employee of the year 2023.
Certification
- GEORGIA BOARD OF NURSING. COMPACT RN LICENSE.
- Certified American Heart Association. '
- ACLS
- BLS
Timeline
Registered Nurse Intermediate Care Unit
Piedmont Rockdale Hospital
06.2024 - Current
Registered Nurse
Piedmont Newton Hospital
06.2023 - 06.2024
Registered RN Med-Surg/Telemetry Registered Nurse
Travel RN Medical Surgical, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
08.2022 - 06.2023
Travel Nurse
Atrium Navicent Hospital Macon GA
03.2022 - 08.2022
Clinical Psych Nurse
Riverwoods Behavioral Hospital
01.2020 - 09.2022
Clinical Nurse Reviewer/Telephonic Nurse Case Manager
UnitedHealth Group
11.2014 - 03.2022
Registered Nurse Case Manager
VITAS Healthcare Corporation
02.2012 - 07.2014
Visiting Nurse Case Manager
Visiting Nurse Health System
04.2011 - 11.2011
Staff Registered Nurse
Piedmont Healthcare
01.2009 - 12.2019
Registered Nurse
Grady Health System
09.2007 - 09.2009
Associate of Science - Nursing Science
Macon State College
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Grand Canyon University