Terin Joy C

Compassionate and dedicated Staff Nurse with strong experience in providing comprehensive nursing care to patients admitted to the Surgery Ward. Skilled in pre-operative and post-operative patient assessment, medication administration, wound care, pain management, and continuous monitoring for early detection of complications. Proficient in maintaining accurate clinical documentation, implementing infection prevention and patient safety protocols, and collaborating effectively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

Experienced in caring for patients undergoing general, plastic surgery, neuro surgery, onco surgery, gastrointestinal, vascular, and other surgical procedures. Committed to delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care while ensuring patient comfort, promoting recovery, and educating patients and their families on post-operative care and discharge planning. Recognized for excellent communication, critical thinking, time management, and the ability to perform efficiently in a fast-paced hospital environment while adhering to NABH/JCI quality standards.

Staff Nurse | Surgery ward - Amala Institute of Medical Sciences - Amala Nagar | Thrissur | Kerala

(2017-09)

Job Responsibilities – Staff Nurse (Surgery Ward)

• Patient Assessment
• Perform comprehensive nursing assessments on admission and throughout hospitalization.
• Record detailed patient history, allergies, medications, and previous surgeries.
• Assess vital signs, pain level, neurological status, and overall physical condition.
• Identify patients at risk for falls, pressure injuries, infections, and thromboembolism.
• Monitor for signs of deterioration and report abnormalities promptly.
• Preoperative Patient Care
• Verify patient identity, consent forms, and surgical site as per hospital protocol.
• Ensure completion of all preoperative investigations and documentation.
• Prepare patients physically and psychologically for surgery.
• Administer prescribed preoperative medications.
• Maintain NPO (Nil Per Oral) status according to surgical guidelines.
• Perform skin preparation and assist with preoperative hygiene.
• Remove dentures, jewelry, nail polish, prosthetics, and contact lenses before surgery.
• Educate patients and families regarding the surgical procedure and postoperative expectations.
• Coordinate timely transfer of patients to the operating theatre.
• Postoperative Patient Care
• Receive patients from the recovery room or ICU using standardized handover protocols.
• Monitor airway, breathing, circulation, and consciousness level.
• Assess surgical wounds, drains, dressings, and bleeding.
• Monitor postoperative pain and administer prescribed analgesics.
• Observe for complications such as hemorrhage, infection, shock, respiratory distress, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism.
• Encourage early mobilization according to physician instructions.
• Assist patients with breathing exercises, coughing, and incentive spirometry.
• Monitor return of bowel sounds and urinary function.
• Record intake and output accurately.
• Medication Administration
• Administer oral, intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous medications safely.
• Administer antibiotics, analgesics, anticoagulants, antiemetics, and IV fluids.
• Monitor patients for adverse drug reactions.
• Maintain accurate medication records following the "Ten Rights" of medication administration.
• Educate patients regarding prescribed medications before discharge.
• Perform sterile wound dressing changes.
• Assess surgical wounds for redness, swelling, drainage, or infection.
• Manage surgical drains (Jackson-Pratt, Hemovac, Chest Drain, etc.).
• Measure and document drain output.
• Remove sutures or staples as prescribed.
• Collect wound swabs for culture when indicated.
• Intravenous Therapy
• Insert and maintain peripheral intravenous cannulas.
• Administer IV medications and fluids.
• Monitor infusion pumps.
• Maintain central venous catheter care if trained.
• Observe IV sites for infiltration, phlebitis, or infection.
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Follow strict hand hygiene practices.
• Maintain aseptic technique during procedures.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Follow isolation precautions when required.
• Dispose of biomedical waste according to hospital protocols.
• Monitor patients for signs of hospital-acquired infections.
• Assess pain using standardized pain assessment tools.
• Administer prescribed analgesics.
• Implement non-pharmacological pain relief techniques.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of pain management interventions.
• Educate patients on pain management strategies.
• Monitoring and Observation
• Monitor vital signs regularly.
• Observe oxygen saturation and respiratory status.
• Monitor blood glucose levels when indicated.
• Assess neurological status.
• Detect early signs of complications such as sepsis or internal bleeding.
• Escalate care promptly for deteriorating patients.
• Assistance with Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
• Prepare patients for diagnostic investigations such as X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, and Endoscopy.
• Assist physicians during bedside procedures.
• Collect blood, urine, sputum, and other specimens.
• Ensure proper labeling and transportation of specimens.
• Patient Hygiene and Comfort
• Assist with bathing, oral care, grooming, and toileting.
• Reposition bedridden patients regularly.
• Prevent pressure ulcers through pressure area care.
• Assist with feeding when required.
• Promote patient comfort and dignity.
• Rehabilitation and Mobility
• Encourage gradual mobilization after surgery.
• Assist with ambulation using appropriate mobility aids.
• Collaborate with physiotherapists for rehabilitation.
• Teach postoperative exercises to improve recovery.
• Monitor dietary intake.
• Assist patients with oral feeding when appropriate.
• Maintain enteral feeding when prescribed.
• Monitor for nausea, vomiting, and aspiration risks.
• Educate patients regarding postoperative dietary modifications.
• Recognize medical emergencies promptly.
• Initiate Basic Life Support (BLS) and assist with Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) when required.
• Manage emergency equipment including crash carts, defibrillators, suction, and oxygen.
• Participate in rapid response and code blue situations.
• Patient and Family Education
• Explain postoperative care and recovery expectations.
• Teach wound care and dressing techniques.
• Educate about medication schedules and side effects.
• Provide discharge instructions.
• Advise on activity restrictions and follow-up appointments.
• Counsel on lifestyle modifications to promote recovery.
• Documentation
• Maintain accurate nursing records.
• Document assessments, interventions, medications, and patient responses.
• Record fluid balance, wound assessments, and vital signs.
• Complete discharge summaries and nursing notes.
• Ensure legal and professional documentation standards are followed.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthetists, physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Participate in multidisciplinary ward rounds.
• Provide effective shift handovers using structured communication tools (e.g., ISBAR).
• Coordinate patient transfers between departments.
• Operate and maintain: Cardiac monitor, Pulse oximeter, Infusion pump, Incentive spirometer, Syringe pump, Suction apparatus, Oxygen delivery systems, Glucometer, Sequential Compression Device (SCD), Nebulizer.
• Ensure equipment is cleaned, calibrated, and functioning properly.
• Quality and Safety
• Follow NABH/JCI and hospital quality standards.
• Implement patient safety protocols.
• Prevent medication errors.
• Report clinical incidents and near misses.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and audits.

Staff Nurse | Medical & Surgical, Pediatric Ward, Emergency - Seventhday Adventist Hospital at Ottapalam - Thrissur

(2015-01 - 2017-09)

Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing - Nursing - Nightingale Institute of Nursing Education, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (2010 - 2014)

Master of Hospital Administration - Hospital Administration - Bharathiyar University, Tamil Nadu