Job Title: Registered Nurse
Word Limit: 500 words max pp
Communication Skills
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Throughout my career as a Registered Nurse, I have developed high-level verbal and written
communication skills which have allowed me to demonstrate clear, assertive and empathic
communication across my practice area, including building rapport with patients, their
families/carers, colleagues, as well as clinical managers and supervisors. My extensive history in
the medical field has taught me that to provide quality care to patients I must utilise effective
listening techniques, be aware of their body language, be empathetic, respond appropriately to
their requests, build rapport and ensure that they understand instructions. My ability to do this
has resulted in positive nurse-patient relationships.
In my current position with Royal Darwin Hospital, I undertake a Team Leader role where I am
required to provide support and development for Student and Graduate Nurses. Using my
effective oral communication skills, I clearly explain hospital policies and procedures while
discussing each patient’s care plan, including consistent documentation and reporting. I encourage
open discussion in regards to the care plans and sharing of information, and listen carefully to the
contributions of Student and Graduate Nurses to ensure that key messages have been
understood. Additionally in this role, I ensure that I provide constant motivation to my team in
order to ensure that they provide quality nursing care. This has involved providing regular praise
and feedback, in both oral and written formats, which has influenced team members to become
high-performing when undertaking their tasks.
As a Senior Nurse I lead by example and consistently demonstrate my ability to effectively
communicate within multidisciplinary teams which has contributed towards providing quality care
outcomes to patients. I am stringent with meeting with other nursing staff to discuss handovers
and any safety issues on shift to ensure that all staff are informed of updated plans and risk
management procedures. This was demonstrated recently during one of my handovers of a
patient on the Stroke, Oncology and Acute Medical Ward. At handover, I obtained critical
information about the deteriorating condition of one of my patients. Harnessing this information, I
ensured that this was the first patient whose vital signs I checked upon commencement of my
rounds. Identifying signs of a stroke, I called a Code Blue and clearly communicated my concerns
to the Emergency Medical Response Team upon their arrival. The patient was sent to undertake
further scans and tests, and in this time I ensured that I documented the incident on the patient’s
file, as well as discussing the patient with the Nurse Consultant and Team Leader to determine
changes to the current care plan. Once stabilised, the patient returned to my care and I
implemented the updated care plan. My effective communication skills played a crucial rule in the
ability of the multidisciplinary team to be able to obtain clear and concise information in order to
provide appropriate care and support to the patient.
Time management and problem solving skills
Highly developed time management proficiency
As a Registered Nurse I aim to work independently and in a self-directed manner. In order to do
this, I make a time plan at the beginning of each shift and complete my tasks accordingly. I write
nursing care plans based on the objective and subjective data that I collect from assessments of
my patients and detailed discussions with Nurses at handover meetings. By analysing and
interpreting the collected data, I am able to determine clear care plans. I set short and long-term
goals based on the assessment data for each of my patients and aim to achieve them within the
set time frames of the shift. I prioritise my workload based on the assessment data and according
to clients’ needs and provide care for patients with high-care needs as a priority, taking into
consideration various tests and procedures that can often be time consuming and accommodating
for these in my care plan. At the commencement of each shift, I ensure that I think ahead to
potential emergency situations and ensure that all equipment and devices are in working order
and all disposable components are fully stocked, including Oxygen Packs. This includes a full
bedside check of equipment used for Cardiac monitoring, Hemodynamic monitoring, Respiratory
monitoring, Blood glucose monitoring and Body temperature monitoring. By ensuring that all
equipment is easily accessible, crucial time can be saved in the event of an emergency.
Problem solving is an integral component of patient-centred care and I use a method of assessing,
planning, implementation and evaluation in order to centre care on the needs of my patients and
to ensure the completion of goals. I have used this method to problem solve at an advanced level
within my scope of practice, reducing unnecessary involvement of medical staff. In instances
where I have identified an aggressive, difficult or high-risk patient, I employ the services of a
Patient Care Assistant so I can remain focused on the ward as a whole. Patient Care Assistants also
have a vital role in my ability to time manage and I often utilise them to take care of general
admissions, discharges and transfer workflows, as well as routine sterilisation and cleaning of
equipment to prevent infections from spreading. By having a Patient Care Assistant prepare and
maintain patient records on the ward, perform general administrative duties as assigned and assist
with basic patient care, I am able to focus on my duties as a Registered Nurse and provide timely
high-level care to my patients.
In my role as Team Leader, I also use my problem solving skills to assist colleagues in both the
clinical and other work related areas, as well as addressing issues within the team. In instances
where the team is not achieving an optimal outcome or not functioning effectively, I implement
effective integration of informal performance appraisals into my team leading so that I am able to
ensure achievable targets and goals for the ward.
Effective Teamwork Skills
Ability to work in teams within a variety of units
In all of my placements as Registered Nurse, I have focused strongly on team-based health care by
working collaboratively and respectfully with at least one other Registered Nurse, as well as other
health providers in order to accomplish shared goals and to achieve coordinated high-quality
patient care. As a member of these teams, I find satisfaction in incorporating the suggestions of
my team members into my work in order to achieve holistic care of our patients. Through open
and clear communication, as well as actively listening and respecting the point of views of each
other, we are able to ensure successful outcomes. I am always willing to assist my team members
when required and take on additional responsibilities in times of absence in the ward. Team-based
nursing has proven to be effective for the efficient management of a shift and ensures that all
patients receive quality and consistent care.
My ability to work in teams within a variety of units is consistently demonstrated in my role as
Registered Nurse, particularly in emergency situations. I respect all team members for their
individual expertise, their opinions and their point of view during such situations, including
decision making for the best interest of the patient. I often work on wards with Graduate and
Agency Nurses whose strengths and weaknesses are not always clear. Utilising the skills of experts
in areas such as the Intensive Care Unit Doctors and Nurses, Anaesthetists and Patient Care
Assistants, ensures the consistency of evidenced-based care for patients on my ward. My effective
teamwork skills were demonstrated recently while caring for a patient on the Stroke, Oncology
and Acute Medical Ward. At 4am the patient appeared to be wheezing and gasping for breath.
Noticing the patient’s respiratory rate rising, and vital signs decreasing, I immediately called a
Code Blue Emergency Medical Response Team to ensure the assistance of medical experts.
Working collaboratively with the team, we were able to ensure the patient was comfortable and
arrange further tests such as blood screens and x-rays in order to determine a new course of care.
Throughout this process, communication was constant so all parties involved were aware of the
patient’s condition and future plans.
In my role as Team Leader, I am responsible for the allocation of nursing staff to patients for the
duration of the shift. When undertaking this role I facilitate implementation of best practice
nursing care by considering the staff that I have on hand in regards to the patients that are on the
ward and ensuring that there are adequate Registered Nurses in each section to carry out
medications. Where there are casual nursing staff working on shift that may not be familiar with
the ward, I make sure that I have senior/permanent staff on hand to assist. By utilising my nursing
expertise I am able to allocate nursing staff to tasks within their scope of practice which improves
the overall team experience of staff and ensures quality care for patients.
Awareness of patient safety
Risk awareness, including health and safety legislation in the workplace and incident reporting
requirements
I support the delivery of safe patent care which includes identifying, facilitating and participating
in continuous safety and quality improvement activities and ensuring practices align with the
requirements of the National safety and Quality Health Service Standards. This is demonstrated
through the time that I take to learn about my patients prior to commencing care of them. Upon
commencement of a shift I gather laboratory data, recent tests, information on medications,
consults and speak to the previous Nurse on duty to gather information that will assist me with
predicting the care that my patients may need. I ensure that I follow the Standard Operating
Protocol for Implementing Bedside Handover in Nursing, fostering an interactive process which
provides opportunities for input and questions from myself and the outgoing Nurses, as well as
obtaining the patient’s viewpoint. This ensures that the patient remains at the centre of my care.
During a patient handover I undertake a safety scan which promotes patient safety and includes
the environment, the patient and the bedside chart. I then conduct a physical review of the
patient which includes observing catheters, drains and dressings. This review allows outgoing staff
to explain any problems or issues. Finally, at the end of the handover I always ensure that I review
the bedside chart to identify additional safety concerns such as medications not signed for and
changes in vital signs. I check the patient’s care plan, observations (including vital signs),
medication sheet, fluid balance sheet and any risk assessments such as falls or pressure ulcers.
This ensures that I am aware of the care and medications that have been given and allows me to
discuss discrepancies or other issues with the outgoing Nurse. By conducting these checks at
handover I can ensure that any mistakes that have been made are picked up straight away and are
not carried on for the duration of my shift which means that I can provide the high-level of quality
care that is expected of me. By maintaining effective communication with other Registered Nurses
and health professionals I can ensure adherence to the Quality Improvement Cycle and patient
safety initiatives.
I have successfully completed training in Standard Precautions in Infection Control and this
combined with my extensive experience and high-level knowledge of infection control principles,
enable me to act as Resource Person in the areas of infection control and hand hygiene. At Royal
Darwin Hospital I have provided health education to my patients about the importance of
maintaining personal hygiene and keeping their surrounding clean as to prevent communicable
disease. I am stringent with following the 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene, including washing hands
before touching a patient, before a procedure, after a procedure or body fluid exposure risk, after
touching a patient, as well as after touching a patient’s surrounds, and I encourage my colleagues
to do so. I am well aware that hospital acquired infections can be a major issue and am stringent in
playing my part in measures of prevention.
Competence in delivery of nursing care in line with recognised national standards
Throughout my Nursing career I have gained experience in the delivery of evidence-based nursing
care that is in line with recognised national standards, through appropriately applying evidence to
the specific situations and unique needs of patients in order to support independent clinical
decisions in the best interest of the patient. When assessing a patient to determine the best
course of care I utilise critical thinking in order to analyse the problem then search for and
evaluate necessary research evidence. With over fifteen years of experience in the Nursing
industry, I have demonstrated clinical knowledge and experience, including competence in the
delivery of nursing care in wards such as Stroke, Oncology and Acute Medical Ward, Respite Care
for HIV and Aids, Drug Detoxification Ward, High Dependency Unit, Intensive Care Unit and
Medical Wards. I practice as a Registered Nurse within the scope of the Nursing and Midwifery
Board Nursing Practice Decision Flowchart, which enables me to actively achieve beneficial patient
outcomes.
My knowledge and experience in the Quality Improvement Cycle and safety initiatives has been
demonstrated throughout my career as a Registered Nurse and reflects my knowledge of
recognised national standards. One of my responsibilities has always been to perform a regular
examination of my practice to ensure that my contemporary nursing practices are in line with
current changes, trends and national standards in order to deliver safe and quality nursing that is
in line with Code of Conduct and Workplace Health and Safety standards. I participate in annual
performance development reviews to ensure that I am achieving the Australian Nursing and
Midwifery Council’s national competency standards for Registered Nurses and use this review to
identify areas that may need improvement. When there have been areas identified for
improvement I prepare a professional development plan so that competence can be maintained
and enhanced. I actively seek out and engage in ongoing education and professional development
to maintain the competencies that are specific to areas identified for improvement.
Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to continual professional development, I actively engage
in regular education and professional development activities in order to maintain my clinical
knowledge, skills and competencies and to ensure that my practice meets the high standards
expected from the nursing profession. In addition to completing online modules and in-house
training that meets continuing professional development (CPD) standards, I undertake training
and courses, including the most recent Detecting Deterioration, Evaluation, Treatment, Escalation
and Communication in Teams through Royal Darwin Hospital. Participating in continual
professional development ensures that I maintain, improve and broaden my clinical knowledge,
expertise and competence and keep up-to-date with the rapidly changing healthcare environment.
