Mike Karacaoglu
Wellington,New Zealand
Summary
Experienced nurse with ten years clinical experience across emergency, surgical, medical and primary care. Expert in haemodynamic monitoring and cardiac care with advanced clinical assessment and diagnostics and therapeutics as an autonomous practitioner.
Proven high level analytical skills in translating complex medical data into actionable decision outcomes using legislation.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
4025
4025
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Decisions Officer
Veterans' Affairs New Zealand
Wellington
10.2023 - Current
- Evaluated applications for health conditions and compensation claims per Veterans’ Support Act 2014.
- Collected and analysed additional clinical data from medical specialists to substantiate service-related conditions.
- Utilised decision-making tools to determine links between medical conditions and qualifying service.
- Prepared formal notifications detailing decisions and advising claimants on review rights.
- Managed individual caseloads to ensure timely processing of claims from receipt to payment.
Registered Nurse
Island Bay Medical Centre
Wellington
02.2022 - 08.2023
- Oversaw long-term care plans for patients with high-needs or chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Triaged patients over the phone, evaluating presenting complaints and symptoms, and provided medical advice
- Assessed patients presenting with acute illnesses and injuries in walk-in acute clinic.
- Performed advanced clinical interventions that included suturing, specialised travel immunisations and administration of intravenous medications
- Provided care for patients in own independently run clinic, and in collaboration with GP colleagues, with long-term conditions that included diabetes, COPD, asthma, hypertension and heart failure
- Wound-care management for minor to post-surgical wounds. Administered basic sutures for acute
- lacerations following collaboration with GP colleagues
Practice Nurse
Eastern Bays Health Centre
Wellington
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Delivered patient care via telephone, offering medical advice and evaluating symptoms.
- Consulted with GPs to address complex cases and enhance treatment plans.
- Administered vaccinations for adults and children according to New Zealand Immunisation Schedule.
- Assessed urgency and acuity of presenting issues through history taking and clinical examination.
- Established and managed nurse-led diabetes clinic to support effective condition management.
- Conducted medication reconciliations and initiated insulin titrations in collaboration with GPs.
- Provided wound care for minor to post-surgical wounds, administering basic sutures as necessary.
Practice Nurse
Johnsonville Medical Centre
Wellington
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Executed comprehensive acute assessments and managed patients with acute illnesses and injuries.
- Delivered diverse nursing services in clinics, including immunisations for adults and children, complex wound management, ear suctioning, and depo-Provera injections.
- Independently conducted immigration medicals and monitored ongoing patient care through phlebotomy and clinical assessments.
- Oversaw infusion management at practice, including cannulation and administration of Aclasta and intravenous fluids.
- Managed INR readings for anti-coagulant patients via phone consultations, adjusting doses based on standing orders.
Continuing Care Clinical Nurse
Salvation Army
Wellington
02.2019 - 03.2020
- Conducted comprehensive nursing assessments for new clients in eight-week rehabilitation programme.
- Utilised screening tools to identify anxiety, withdrawal, and depression in clients.
- Provided compassionate support and counsel throughout recovery phases.
- Managed wound assessments and care for clients during and post-programme.
- Facilitated ongoing self-care through home visits and personalised care plans.
Clinical Co-ordinator
Enliven, Presbyterian Support
Wellington
- Directed and managed day-to-day nursing and operational functions for rest-home and hospital facility, ensuring safe delivery of care to the residents
- Collaborated with the GP and interdisciplinary teams to devise and manage individualised plans of care
- Completed medical rounds with the GP, provided follow-ups with residents’ families, coordinated diagnostic testing and follow up appointments
- Evaluated staff performance, developed education programs and professional development opportunities to improve individual and team competencies, clinical knowledge, and delivery of care.
Unit Co-ordinator
Ryan Healthcare
Wellington
- 01.2019
- Managed roster of clinical and non-clinical staff working within Dementia Unit
- Organised and managed the daily and clinical running of the unit
- Communicated with clinical management teams to execute policy and deliver effective resident care
- Monitored and evaluated staff performances using staff appraisals
Registered Nurse
Capital & Coast DHB
Wellington
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Utilised triage protocols to accurately prioritise patient care based on clinical urgency across all five categories.
- Initiated life-saving interventions and provided high-level assistance during Advanced Life Support (ALS) for cardiac arrest, major trauma, and acute respiratory distress.
- Managed complex caseloads by continuously monitoring vital signs and proactively responding to clinical deterioration using the Early Warning Score (EWS).
- Performed time-critical interventions including IV cannulation, venipuncture, 12-lead ECG interpretation, wound suturing, and orthopaedic splinting and resetting of dislocated arms, shoulders and knees.
- Administered high-risk medications, blood products, and procedural sedation safely under strict clinical protocols.
- Coordinated with doctors, paramedics, and mental health teams to optimise patient flow and facilitate safe, timely discharges.
- Upheld Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles by delivering culturally safe, whānau-centred care to address health inequities for Māori and Pacific populations.
- Communicated complex clinical information to patients and families in high-stress situations, providing essential emotional support and post-discharge education.
- Participated in clinical audits to enhance triage efficiency and served as a mentor to junior staff and students, ensuring high standards of care during surge periods.
- Demonstrated proficiency in electronic health records and specialised emergency monitoring technology to maintain accurate, real-time clinical documentation.
Registered Nurse
Capital & Coast DHB
Wellington
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Provided comprehensive nursing care for patients pre- and post-cardiothoracic surgery (e.g., CABG, valve replacements) and those with acute cardiac conditions (e.g., heart failure, myocardial infarction).
- Actively participated in daily ward rounds and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings to coordinate patient discharge and rehabilitation plans.
- Practiced in accordance with the Nursing Council of New Zealand Competencies and maintaining clinical safety standards.
- Actively monitored and interpreted telemetry and 12-lead ECGs; identified and escalated cardiac arrhythmias or hemodynamic instability to senior nurses or doctors where necessary.
- Managed specialized thoracic equipment, including the monitoring of chest drains (e.g., Atrium/Pleur-evac systems), epicardial pacing wires, and complex surgical wound dressings.
- Cared for central venous catheters (CVC), peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC), and arterial lines; managing titrated IV infusions and fluid balance.
- Utilised the Early Warning Score (EWS) to detect patient deterioration and initiating emergency response protocols when necessary.
- Safely administering high-risk cardiac medications, including anticoagulants, anti-arrhythmics, and inotropic support.
- Delivered patient-centered care that honors Te Tiriti o Waitangi by ensuring equitable outcomes for Māori and providing culturally appropriate support to whānau.
- Provided specialist education to patients and families regarding heart-healthy lifestyles, medication adherence, and post-surgical recovery milestones.
Education
Masters of Nursing Science - Nursing
Victoria University
WellingtonBNurs - Nursing
Otago Polytechnic
Dunedin, OtagoBSc - Psychology
Otago University
Dunedin, OtagoAffiliations
- Martial arts
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Decisions Officer
Veterans' Affairs New Zealand
10.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse
Island Bay Medical Centre
02.2022 - 08.2023
Practice Nurse
Eastern Bays Health Centre
01.2020 - 01.2021
Continuing Care Clinical Nurse
Salvation Army
02.2019 - 03.2020
Practice Nurse
Johnsonville Medical Centre
01.2019 - 01.2020
Registered Nurse
Capital & Coast DHB
01.2016 - 01.2017
Registered Nurse
Capital & Coast DHB
01.2015 - 01.2016
Clinical Co-ordinator
Enliven, Presbyterian Support
Unit Co-ordinator
Ryan Healthcare
- 01.2019
Masters of Nursing Science - Nursing
Victoria University
BNurs - Nursing
Otago Polytechnic
BSc - Psychology
Otago University