Clear, Focused Objective Will Help You Follow The Right Path
A graduate of nursing, Audrey Lefebvre R.N. specializes in integrative medicine, where she incorporates traditional and holistic care. Under the supervision of Dr. Ron Shemesh, M.D., A.B.H.M., F.A.C.O.G, Audrey has over five years experience in the direct patient care and four years in the practice of mind, body and spirit care.
Can you describe your duties as a nurse?
"I specialize in integrative medicine, incorporating traditional and holistic care. Over the last six months, I have enjoyed training three new team members. I provide guidance and clear objectives for my team member to follow and ensure that patients are seen, diagnosed, and treated in a timely and efficient manner. I follow clinical pathways and educate patients on preventative care and follow-up actions so that they can enjoy the lifestyle they deserve. It is my responsibility to streamline and improve the quality of care in compliance with national standards, joint commission regulations, and the Nurse Practice Act, which I learned about while attending Rasmussen School of Nursing."
"As a nurse, I am committed to helping all patients without regards to their financial status. For example, I partner with our pharmaceutical representatives to help patients without insurance (roughly 20 percent) or out-of-network insurance, to procure free medications and enable a safe discharge plan. This also provides significant cost savings to both the patient and our office."
How has education prepared you for your career as a nurse and in healthcare administration?
"The education I have received while attending Rasmussen School of Nursing has created the foundation need for me to serve our community. One of the most used, and basic, skills that I learned through my education was my ability to communicate effectively. For example, I need to communicate clearly and concisely with my team members, respected patients, and their families. My education also helped me understand the science behind nursing. It is my responsibility to understand health histories, administer applicable medications, coordinate care, and make critical decisions needed to serve our patients and their families."
What continuing education is required for your position?
"In the state of Florida, I am required to complete at least 24 hours of applicable continuing education during each renewal period. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: two hours relating to prevention of medical errors, and two hours of domestic violence every third renewal for a total of 26 hours. As an ambitious individual, I will also be pursuing my master's degree in nursing. I aspire to become a nurse practitioners so that I may be able to offer more to our community."
What advice would you give someone just starting out?
"It is important to start your educational endeavor with your end in mind. A clear, focused objective will help you move through the right path. In addition, asking for help when needed is quite useful. It can be nerve-racking at first, but you will notice that your friends, schoolmates, teachers, and colleagues will be helpful and forthcoming to answer any questions that you may have. Always ask for help.
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She reports on various topics such as: Social Media, Local Events, Entertainment, Food and Drink and more. Her work can be found at http://firstsendmedia.com/
