Gerard Brennan
Derrygowna, Lanesboro, Co. Longford
Summary
Compassionate Mental Health Registered Nurse known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Skilled in patient assessment, crisis intervention, and treatment planning. Possess strong communication, empathy, and resilience to excel in providing patient-centered care while maintaining emotional stability in challenging situations.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Registered Nurse
National Forensic Mental Health Services
Portrane, Co. Dublin
09.2023 - Current
- Forensic Mental Health Care – Experience in managing patients with complex mental health disorders in a high-secure forensic setting, ensuring safety, and therapeutic engagement.
- Risk Assessment & Management – Proficient in conducting dynamic and structured risk assessments to prevent violence, self-harm, and absconding in high-risk patients.
- Crisis Intervention & De-escalation – Skilled in handling aggressive and violent behaviors using evidence-based de-escalation techniques, verbal interventions, and physical interventions when necessary.
- Legal & Ethical Frameworks – Strong knowledge of the Mental Health Act of 2001, Criminal Law Insanity Act of 2006, Mental Health Commission guidelines, forensic care pathways, and ethical considerations in high-secure environments.
- Restraint and Seclusion Management – Experience in using restraint and seclusion as a last resort, ensuring compliance with national guidelines and best practices for patient safety.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration – Worked alongside forensic psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and security personnel to implement individualized treatment plans.
- Medication Management – Competent in administering and monitoring psychiatric medications, including depot injections, clozapine therapy, and rapid tranquilization in forensic settings.
- Therapeutic Communication & Relationship Building – Ability to develop professional therapeutic relationships with patients who have histories of violent offenses, personality disorders, and complex trauma.
- Behavioral Management Strategies – Skilled in implementing behavioral care plans to support patient rehabilitation, reduce challenging behaviors, and promote recovery through Positive Behavioral Support training.
- Security Awareness and Environmental Safety – Trained in maintaining a secure environment, ensuring controlled access, contraband checks, and awareness of ligature and self-harm risks.
Intern Mental Health Nurse
Longford/Westmeath and Laois/Offaly HSE Mental Health Services
Midlands
01.2023 - 09.2025
- Delivered person-centered, recovery-oriented, and holistic care to service users with a range of mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, dementia, and drug-induced psychosis, in the Inpatient Approved Centres.
- Participated in the care of service users requiring restraint and seclusion, emphasising risk assessment and management of violent behaviors.
- Improved service user care through a better understanding of the Mental Health Act of 2001, Mental Health Commission standards, and NMBI guidelines.
- Administered medications under NMBI's 10 rights of medication management, supervised by a registered nurse.
- Managed both mental and physical health conditions, including diabetes, congestive heart failure, and renal failure.
- Competent in venipuncture.
Health Care Assistant
Nurse on Call Nursing Agency
St Lomans Mental Health Hospital, Mullingar, Co, Westmeat
04.2020 - 01.2023
- Patient Care & Support – Assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including personal hygiene, dressing, and mobility support.
- Dementia & Mental Health Support – Providing compassionate care to patients with enduring mental illnesses, dementia, delirium, depression, and other age-related mental health conditions.
- Behavioral Management – Using de-escalation techniques to manage agitation, aggression, and confusion in patients with cognitive impairments.
- Therapeutic Engagement – Encouraging participation in activities that promote cognitive stimulation, emotional well-being, and social interaction.
- Physical Health Monitoring – Observing and reporting changes in patients' physical health, including hydration, nutrition, and skin integrity.
- End-of-Life & Palliative Care – Supporting patients and families with dignity, comfort, and emotional support during end-of-life care.
- Environmental Safety & Infection Control – Maintaining a safe, clean, and secure ward environment, preventing falls, and ensuring infection control protocols are followed.
Education
Bachelor of Science - BSc Hon in Psychiatric Nursing
Technological University of the Shannon
Athlone, Ireland 09-2023
Skills
- Risk assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Medication management
- Behavioral management
- Therapeutic communication
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Patient safety
- Patient advocacy
- Team collaboration
- Environmental safety
- Cultural competence
- Legal compliance
- Continuous improvement
- Recovery-oriented approach
Accomplishments
- Awarded Student Nurse of the Year 2023 for BSc Hon in Psychiatric Nursing upon graduation
- Awarded the Good Citizenship Award in 2018 during my Leaving Certificate year
- Grade VII in RIAM Piano
Affiliations
- Nursing volunteer with Ardagh and Clonmacnoise Diocesan Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes
- Secretary of the Newtowncashel Folklore and History Group
- Member of the South Longford Macra Young Farmers Association
Certification
- Competent in venipuncture
- Positive Behavioural Support Training
- Advanced Healthcare Assessment Certificate
- Basic Life Support Training
- Therapeutic management of aggression and violence
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Mental Health Registered Nurse
National Forensic Mental Health Services
09.2023 - Current
Intern Mental Health Nurse
Longford/Westmeath and Laois/Offaly HSE Mental Health Services
01.2023 - 09.2025
Health Care Assistant
Nurse on Call Nursing Agency
04.2020 - 01.2023
Bachelor of Science - BSc Hon in Psychiatric Nursing
Technological University of the Shannon
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