Melissa Watkins
Lexington
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
Harrison Memorial Hospital
01.2024 - Current
- Demonstrated strong clinical reasoning skills when assessing patients'' conditions, initiating appropriate interventions, and escalating concerns to physicians as needed.
- Improved patient outcomes by consistently providing high-quality emergency care and implementing evidence-based nursing practices.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds, and thoracic trauma.
- Reduced patient wait times by efficiently triaging patients based on acuity levels and prioritizing urgent cases.
Registered Nurse
Norton Healthcare
09.2022 - 01.2024
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Answered codes quickly and orchestrated efficient, skilled medical care.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
PCT/COVID-19 Screener
Baptist Health Hospital
06.2020 - 05.2022
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Obtained biological specimens for ordered tests and prepared for laboratory transport.
- Conferred with multidisciplinary healthcare team to help effectively manage patient conditions with regular testing and vitals assessments.
- Delivered individualized patient care by recording vital signs, documenting observations, administering treatments and evaluating patient needs.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Maintained patient stability by checking vital signs and weight and recording intake and outtake information.
Office Manager
Northwest Labs
08.2018 - 05.2022
- Established workflow processes, monitored daily productivity and implemented modifications to improve overall performance of personnel.
- Compared vendor prices and negotiated for optimal savings.
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
Rehab Nursing Technician
Cardinal Hill/Encompass Health
12.2017 - 07.2019
- Maintained patient stability by checking vital signs and weight and recording intake and outtake information.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Provided care to patients throughout lifespan with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and culture.
- Cared for clients with diagnoses such as respiratory failure, heart failure, TBI, stroke, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord injuries.
- Facilitated personal hygiene management, feeding and ambulation.
Phlebotomist
LabCorp
05.2011 - 06.2017
- Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
- Followed physician orders to correctly administer therapeutic phlebotomy.
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
- Promoted mission, vision and values of organization and trained new clinical staff in phlebotomy procedures.
- Conducted venipuncture and other CT procedures.
- Used personal protective equipment correctly to protect coworkers and patients.
- Monitored patients for reactions and verified sample quality.
- Packaged and shipped specimens to central lab daily.
- Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
- Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles and straight needles.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Beckfield College
Florence, KY09.2022
Certificate - Phlebotomy
Spencerian College - Louisville
Louisville, KY06.2006
Skills
- Strong communicator
- Multitasking Abilities
- Attentive to People
- Bedside Care
- Supportive Personality
- CPR Certification
- First Aid Certification
- Critical Thinking
Affiliations
- American Nurses Association (ANA) Member
- Emergency Nurses Association
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
Harrison Memorial Hospital
01.2024 - Current
Registered Nurse
Norton Healthcare
09.2022 - 01.2024
PCT/COVID-19 Screener
Baptist Health Hospital
06.2020 - 05.2022
Office Manager
Northwest Labs
08.2018 - 05.2022
Rehab Nursing Technician
Cardinal Hill/Encompass Health
12.2017 - 07.2019
Phlebotomist
LabCorp
05.2011 - 06.2017
Associate of Science - Nursing
Beckfield College
Certificate - Phlebotomy
Spencerian College - Louisville
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