Natasha Gunesekera
Whyalla
Summary
In 2016, I moved to Australia from Sri Lanka, drawn by the country's excellent education and research in the field of medicine and healthcare. To challenge myself, I made the bold decision to relocate to a rural town in South Australia for my first nursing job at the Wudinna Hospital, a small multipurpose site in a farming community. At the Wudinna Hospital, I worked alongside another nurse, providing care to aged care residents, medical ward patients, and attending to outpatients and presentations in the Accident and Emergency department. I also joined the volunteer-run ambulance crew, responding to call-outs within a 100km radius. Recognizing my interest in emergency care and desire to deepen my understanding of medical interventions, I enrolled in a top-rated postgraduate diploma in emergency nursing and transitioned to a regional hospital's Emergency Department. While every nursing specialty offers valuable learning experiences and the satisfaction of helping others, it is within the fast-paced environment of an emergency department where I find my greatest motivation and fulfillment. Currently, I am actively seeking the next opportunity to apply my evidence-based clinical skills and expand my knowledge further.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Emergency Department RN
Whyalla Hospital
06.2023 - Current
- Knowledge gained from the ENAME courses were used to conduct thorough physical assessments on patients to accurately identify potential injuries or illnesses requiring immediate attention.
- Triage patients that presented to ED independently and after receiving handover from the paramedics (SAAS).
- Supported and educated new nursing staff and students, offering constructive feedback to help them develop their skills and adapt to the fast-paced Emergency Department environment.
- Collaborated with allied healthcare workers to connect patients with resources such as substance abuse treatment programs or mental health services.
- Used the knowledge acquired through the postgraduate diploma to educate patients and their families on various health topics to promote understanding and empower individuals to take control of their health outcomes.
- Maintained accurate electronic documentation (on Sunrise) of all patient interactions, assessments, treatments, and interventions in accordance with hospital policies and regulations.
- Continuously updated knowledge on current best practices in emergency nursing through professional development opportunities, and journal reviews by completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing.
- Further developed and demonstrated critical thinking skills while managing multiple high-acuity patients at once ( 3:1 ratio), making quick decisions under pressure to optimize patient outcomes.
- Answered codes quickly and assisted in emergency medical care.
- Responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Communicated openly and collaboratively with all healthcare staff to organize successful patient care.
RN - Multipurpose Site
Wudinna Hospital SA Health
11.2019 - 05.2023
- A typical shift here consists of managing the care of 11 aged care residents, up to 6 acute patients and any outpatients or A&E presentations, with 1-2 Registered/Enrolled nurses.
- Running A&E without a doctor on site and communicating with doctors over 200 km away via phone and video consults.
- Clinical assessment and care of Accident & Emergency cases.
- Management of outpatients jobs (blood tests, wound dressing, etc).
- Acute patient management (general medical nursing).
- Aged care nursing.
- Teaching students and novice nurses.
- IV Cannulation and Point of Care Tests, indwelling catheter changes, transfusions, PCR swabbing during the COVID pandemic.
- Assist doctors with minor surgeries and procedures.
- Liaison with Locum doctors, MEDSTAR, RFDS and SAAS.
- Liaised with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals (community nurses, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, etc)
Senior Crew Member
McDonald's
09.2017 - 11.2019
- During my time here, I enhanced my understanding of customer care services and gained more experience on how to provide quality services in a busy and fast-paced setting
- I mainly worked in 'drive-thru', and had to take customer orders, receive payments and deliver food to them, under the pressure of the drive-thru timer
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - Emergency Nursing
University of Sydney
Sydney, NSW04-2025
Bachelor of Nursing -
University of South Australia
12.2018
GCE Edexcel A levels - Equivalent to Year 12
Ladies' College Colombo
06.2014
Skills
- Triage and assessments
- Management of outpatients
- Acute patient management
- Geriatric care
- Mental health assessments
- IV Cannulation
- Point of Care Testing and interpretation of results
- IDC changes (female)
- Transfusions
- Assisting the doctor with minor surgeries
- Communication with medical staff virtually and following their instructions and orders when there are no doctors on site
- Liaising with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals
- Running a MPS without a doctor on site
- ECG interpretation
- Advanced life support certificate
- Wound care management
- Basic life support
- Delegation and motivation
- Teamwork
Student Nursing Placements
- ENT/Neurosurgery/Neurology ward: Memorial Hospital, 09/01/18 - 11/01/18
- Community Nursing: Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service, 04/01/18 - 06/30/18
- Burns Unit: Royal Adelaide Hospital, 11/01/17 - 12/31/17
- Geriatric Nursing: Clayton Church Homes, 06/01/17 - 07/31/17
Timeline
Emergency Department RN
Whyalla Hospital
06.2023 - Current
RN - Multipurpose Site
Wudinna Hospital SA Health
11.2019 - 05.2023
Senior Crew Member
McDonald's
09.2017 - 11.2019
Postgraduate Diploma - Emergency Nursing
University of Sydney
Bachelor of Nursing -
University of South Australia
GCE Edexcel A levels - Equivalent to Year 12
Ladies' College Colombo
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