Patsy Argo Email & Phone Number

Worked in Pre-op and PACU on a rotating basis. Pre-Op: I was responsible for getting patient prepared for surgery by starting their IV's; accessing ports: hanging IV fluids and antibiotics prior to surgery; witnessing consents; updating their electronic medical record and ensuring that consents are signed and all paperwork completed prior to patient going to surgery. Reassuring patients and families by answering any questions they may have. Made pre-op phone calls and instructed patients on NPO status, what medications to take and any other special needs prior to their surgery.PACU: Assisted with setting up a brand new facility from the ground up - organizing bays, stocking drawers, cupboards, doing inventory, etc. Recovered a variety of patients following general, local and conscious sedation anesthesia. Surgeries included cataracts, hernias, breast biopsies, mastectomies, lap choles, ENT procedures, GI procedures, TURBT, TURP's, suprapubic and foley catheter insertions, urological diversions, slings, and pain control and procedures. Assessed and medicated patients having pain following procedures and explained medications prior to being discharged. Read and reviewed patient discharge instructions with patients and family prior to discharge. Made follow-up phone calls to patients. Chart audits.

Intermediate Surgical Care Unit: Developed critical thinking skills in caring for patients requiring ventilators, cardiac monitoring, neurological assessments following strokes and spinal fusions. Wound care and use of wound vacuums, diabetes regulation and monitoring, and numerous large abdominal surgeries were also part of the patient population. Collaborated with doctors, case managers, families, patients and other ancillary departments to develop specific plans of care for patients upon their discharge. Directly supervised and oriented new graduate nursing students and certified nursing assistants. Charge nurse over staff on 33 bed unit.Post-Anesthesia Care Unit: Recovered patients following GI and radiology procedures. Cared for a wide range of post-operative patients who had received sedation, local, general and spinal anesthesia including open hearts, CABG, Nissen fundiplications, spinal fusions, total joints, laparoscopic and open choles, laparoscopic and open appendectomies, hysterectomies, breast biopsies, mastectomies and numerous other major and minor surgeries. Gained experience and knowledge to evaluate, analyze and prioritize direct care of patients. Established great communication skills and rapport with doctors, families, and ancillary departments in the hospital setting.

Worked as Oncology RN. Gave chemotherapy per protocols and standards of St. Joseph's Hospital. Taught patients about their therapy including side effects. Monitored labs every day and notified MD's if WBC, RBC or Platelet count was too low for chemo. Administered blood products as needed. Offered emotional support to patients and their families during their treatments and during their dying.

Bachelor'S Degree In Nursing, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse, Nursing Practice