FRIDAH MAKENA
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse experienced in delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centred care across diverse healthcare settings. Achieved superior patient outcomes through expertise in Critical Care, Emergency Department, and Stroke Care, along with robust skills in managing acutely and critically ill patients. Focused on continuous professional development and effective collaboration within multidisciplinary teams to enhance care standards.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
critical care staff nurse
university hospitals of Dorset
02.2026 - Current
- Maintain patent airway and perform tracheostomy care during shifts.
- Change inner cannulas and carry out suctioning safely when needed.
- Monitor cuff pressures and respond immediately to airway emergencies.
- Monitor ventilated patients and review ventilator settings routinely.
- Assess patient response, assist with weaning, and obtain ABGs.
- Provide haemodynamic monitoring using ECG, arterial lines, and CVP lines.
- Recognise deterioration signs by tracking blood pressure and heart rhythm closely.
- Administer and titrate inotropes, vasopressors, sedatives, and insulin infusions safely.
- Give other intravenous medications according to prescribed critical care protocols.
- Perform neurological observations, including Glasgow Coma Scale assessments.
- Monitor pupils and identify changes in neurological status promptly.
- Track fluid balance, urine output, and electrolyte results regularly.
- Support renal replacement therapy patients with CRRT care as required.
- Manage enteral feeding, monitor tolerance, and check tube placement.
- Maintain blood glucose control while supporting nutrition and gastrointestinal care.
- Follow aseptic practice during central line care and procedure setup.
- Prevent healthcare-associated infections using ANTT principles and sepsis awareness.
- Recognise deterioration, respond with advanced life support actions.
- Participate in cardiac arrests and deliver timely resuscitation interventions.
- Maintain accurate patient records, and support documentation after each event.
- Participate in multidisciplinary discussions and provide family updates routinely.
- Advocate for patients and relatives while supporting communication needs.
Emergency Staff Nurse
university hospitals Dorset
05.2025 - 02.2026
- Administered medication to treat condition, reduce symptoms and prevent severity of illness.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations to deliver life-saving care and stabilise patients for additional treatments.
- Monitored patient vital signs and symptoms, accurately documenting findings and alerting physicians to any changes requiring attention.
- Advocated for patient needs, ensuring high standards of care were consistently met.
- Maintained calm, focused and motivated when dealing with emergencies.
- Administered life-saving treatments to patients in critical conditions, adhering strictly to A and E protocols.
- Efficiently assisted doctors with all tasks as required to keep life-saving operations running smoothly.
- Administered medications with precision, monitoring patient vital signs to determine abnormalities or improvement.
- Provided emotional support and counselling to patients and their families, facilitating coping strategies for illness management.
- Carried out basic health assessments when patients arrived in A&E to determine required actions for treatment.
- Coordinated with other healthcare professionals to facilitate smooth transitions to different care levels.
- Assisted in training new staff, sharing knowledge and expertise to improve departmental performance.
Registered General Nurse
Ferndown Manor care home
Ferndown Manor
11.2023 - 05.2025
- Administered medications and treatments to patients following physicians' orders, enhancing recovery outcomes.
- Demonstrated compassionate communication skills, empathetically delivering difficult news to patients and families.
- Supervising, mentoring, and allocating tasks to junior care assistants.
- Assisting the management team with training and inducting new caregivers.
- Supporting residents and their families through psychological challenges, cognitive decline (like dementia), or emotional distress
- Safely administering tablets, injections, patches, or intravenous fluids in a highly controlled, time-specific manner.
- Regularly reviewing medication regimes with doctors to ensure they are still appropriate for the resident's condition.
- Designing and regularly updating individual care plans to reflect changing physical and cognitive needs.
- Acting as the central point of contact for GPs, visiting therapists, hospital staff, and pharmacists.
- Continuously monitoring residents’ vital signs, weight, and general well-being to spot early signs of deterioration.
- Managing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or pressure ulcers; changing bandages and treating skin tears or wounds
- Responding rapidly to acute health changes, falls, or sudden illnesses to prevent avoidable hospital visits
Staff Nurse: critical care unit/High dependency unit
Royal Bournemouth Hospital
04.2022 - 11.2023
- Recorded patient medical information and vital signs during each shift.
- Documented patient medical histories and assessment findings for clinical continuity.
- Logged treatment plans, interventions, outcomes, and plan revisions promptly.
- Consulted and coordinated with healthcare team members on whole patient care plans.
- Updated patient treatment plans based on patient response and condition changes.
- Monitored critical patients for status changes and sepsis or shock indications.
- Initiated appropriate interventions when critical changes indicated sepsis or shock.
- Administered intravenous fluids and medications strictly according to doctor orders.
- Monitored fluid intake and output to spot emerging electrolyte issues.
- Monitored diet and physical activity alongside all other aspects of patient care.
- Drew arterial blood gas samples and interpreted reports accurately for decisions.
- Assessed pain levels and sedation needs to guide comfort planning.
- Prioritised nursing care for critically ill assigned patients using assessment data.
- Assessed family adaptation and coping skills to plan needed interventions.
- Advocated for patient needs to support safe, person-centred care.
- Provided education and practical support to patient families throughout care.
- Managed patients with tracheostomy, maintaining airway safety and comfort.
- Collaborated with medical professionals to discuss plan of care and medications.
Staff Nurse: stroke unit
Royal Bournemouth Hospital
06.2021 - 04.2022
- Performing neuro observations.
- Monitored patients' vital signs and conducted ECGs to identify and respond to changes in condition.
- Administering medications as prescribed via oral, IM, Subcutaneous and nasal.
- Wound care assessment, cleaning and dressing.
- Setting up continuous nasogastric and PEG feeds.
- Performing stoma care.
- Coordinated admission and discharge processes to ensure seamless patient transitions.
- Delivered support and education to patients and families, enhancing understanding of care plans.
- Conducted regular blood sugar monitoring to assess patient glucose levels.
- Preparing patients prior to MRI, CT scans, ultrasound or any other test ordered.
- Providing hygienic and safe working environment in compliance with healthcare procedures and interventions.
STAFF NURSE
Kerugoya county referral hospital Kenya
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Managed emergency situations with professionalism, administering immediate care and coordinating with medical teams to ensure patient safety.
- Conducted emergency medical procedures, such as CPR, to save patients' lives.
- Monitored patient conditions closely, reporting and recording signs of deterioration for swift action.
- Carefully monitored, recorded and reported changes in patient symptoms to deliver best care practices.
- Administered medications and treatments to patients following prescribed healthcare plans.
- Measured blood pressure, pulse and temperature to assess and record vital signs.
- Performed wound care procedures, applying dressings and monitoring for signs of infection to promote healing.
- Worked with a consistently positive, friendly bedside manner to enhance patient experiences during difficult times.
- Accurately recorded patient medical information and vital signs to provide continued best possible care.
- Documented patient care services by charting in patient and department records accurately.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Bachelor of Nursing
University of Derby
Derby01-2026
professional development in health and social care
University of Derby
Derby01-2025
Diploma - Kenya Registered community health nurse
MATRIC INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
01-2018
Skills
- Critical care nursing
- IV therapy management
- Intravenous therapy
- Ventilator care
- Oxygen therapy procedures
- Catheter care
- Palliative Care
- Vital signs
- Health assessments
- Data documentation
- Stress management
- Pain management
- Patient advocacy
- Patient education
- Health education
- Team collaboration
- Team Leadership
- Time-management
- Risk Management
- Risk evaluation
- Decision making
- Self-motivation
- Professionalism
- Communication skills
- Active listening
- Team player
- Risk evaluation
Certification
Critical care foundation course
Timeline
critical care staff nurse
university hospitals of Dorset
02.2026 - Current
Emergency Staff Nurse
university hospitals Dorset
05.2025 - 02.2026
Registered General Nurse
Ferndown Manor care home
11.2023 - 05.2025
Staff Nurse: critical care unit/High dependency unit
Royal Bournemouth Hospital
04.2022 - 11.2023
Staff Nurse: stroke unit
Royal Bournemouth Hospital
06.2021 - 04.2022
STAFF NURSE
Kerugoya county referral hospital Kenya
08.2019 - 05.2021
Bachelor of Science - Bachelor of Nursing
University of Derby
professional development in health and social care
University of Derby
Diploma - Kenya Registered community health nurse
MATRIC INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES