Christine Robustelli, ASSISTANT NURSE MANAGER
Whitehouse Station,NJ
Summary
Dedicated and results-oriented Nurse Manager with over 28 years of Perioperative experience. Proven leadership skills and ability to solve problems effectively while managing nursing staff, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing operational efficiency. Strong communicator who prioritizes quality care and patient satisfaction. Strategic thinker, always looking ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough results. Planner, adept at prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with the organization's strategic initiatives and vision. Builder of strong partnerships, working collaboratively across all levels to meet shared objectives and goals.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification
Work History
Assistant Nurse Manager Same Day Surgery
HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH JFK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
02.2023 - Current
- Responsible for functional operation and management of Same Day Surgery clinical and support staff.
- Assists in budget management, optimizing resource allocation to maximize patient care quality without compromising fiscal responsibility.
- Develop and implement protocols for the Pre-admission testing Area to ensure effective, efficient preparedness of the high-acuity surgical patient.
- Accountable for monthly staff scheduling, payroll, and quality improvement project analysis and reporting.
- Participates in hospital-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall patient experience and satisfaction levels.
- Collaborates with other departments such as Pre-Admission Testing, Radiology, and Out-Patient Lab Departments to streamline processes and enhance interdisciplinary teamwork, ultimately improving continuity of care for patients.
- Maintains compliance with JCAHO, HIPPA, and OSHA regulatory standards by enforcing best practices and incorporating them into daily operations as necessary.
- Improves patient safety by closely monitoring infection control practices within the department.
- Responsible for interviewing new hires, evaluating staff performance regularly and annually, providing constructive feedback and support for professional development opportunities, as well as enforcing disciplinary actions of employees.
- Resolves conflicts among staff members by employing effective communication techniques and seeking mutually beneficial solutions when issues arise.
- Serves as a liaison between nursing staff and administration, advocating for the needs of both parties to promote overall organizational success.
- Maintains open lines of communication with patients'' families to ensure their needs are met and concerns addressed promptly.
- Ensures timely documentation of all nursing activities within the electronic medical records system, contributing to accurate record-keeping and informed decision-making processes.
- Performs real-time chart audits for patients, ensuring accuracy and completeness of information while capitalizing on opportunities for process improvement.
- Streamlines nursing operations for efficiency and quality improvement by conducting regular audits and addressing areas of concern.
- Coordinates and implements in-service educational programs focusing on safety and protocol adherence, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
- Acts as a clinical resource for staff members using evidence-based knowledge and prevailing standards.
- Daily patient rounds/follow-up phone calls to ensure safe and quality patient care results in high patient satisfaction
Assistant Nurse Manager Main OR
Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Medical Center
07.2017 - 02.2023
- Managed the daily operations of the Operating Room schedule and staffing to optimize effective and efficient case flow productivity.
- Strategically organized and structured the surgical block time to maximize effective utilization of the OR schedule while triaging and prioritizing emergency add-on cases.
- Managed 55+ surgical/ancillary staff daily assignments, call coverage, and in-service and training sessions.
- Performed annual reviews and verified competencies and certifications.
- Collaborated with Nurse Educator on preceptorship and mentorship of the Preoperative Nursing 101 Program.
- Revised/Implemented departmental policies and Procedures with current AORN standards while focusing on and participating in evidence-based practices and council committees.
- Collaborated/Participated in daily 'OR Huddles' with staff, Anesthesia, OR Scheduling, Sterile Processing, and Materials Management Departments to improve work processes and communicate safety and quality issues impacting the surgery schedule and unit.
- Provided resources and collaborated with team managers on capital budget/waste resolutions for OR supplies and equipment.
- Accurately supervised OR scheduling of cases with proper preference card selection for successful and complete preparedness of OR cases.
- Delegated and triaged with Preop RN and Anesthesia Site Manager in reviewing and expediting inpatient surgical patient preparedness
- Facilitated on-time surgical case starts with Service Coordinators and documented, tracked, and reported delay issues with the OR Manager and Director.
ASSISTANT NURSE MANAGER ORTHOPEDIC SERVICE
HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH JFK UNIVERSITY
07.2016 - 07.2017
- Established/Updated Surgeon Preference Cards to improve efficient and accurate pick lists while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of disposable supplies.
- Attended quarterly Orthopedic Surgeon Specialty Committee Meetings to discuss Budgets, new product trials/approvals, Surgeon Concerns, and Departmental Goals.
- Served on Process Improvement Committees: emphasis on Patient Safety Goals, Infection Control, SCIP, and Surgical Attire.
- Maintained Orthopedic budget needs, including instrumentation, equipment, disposable products, and consignment products.
- Attended AORN Congress Conventions annually and provided educational in-services related to service to staff.
REGISTERED NURSE OR, CNOR
JUPITER OUTPATIENT SURGERY CENTER
03.2015 - 05.2016
- Circulator/Scrub Role fulfilled at this fast-paced surgery center in various specialties, including Orthopedics, Neurology, Plastics, ENT, and General
- Duties included RN Circulator, ordering/maintaining Neuro supplies, OR preparedness of OR Suite stock, and maintenance of surgical equipment.
- Served on Joint Commission Accreditation Health Care Certification (JACHO) preparedness committee: checking/updating all policies/procedures, SPD guidelines, auditing of expired supplies, etc.
REGISTERED NURSE, CHARGE NURSE OR, CNOR, PRECEPTOR
NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE CENTRAL DUPAGE HOSPITAL
06.2008 - 01.2015
- Fulfilled Charge RN role on the Weekend schedule of elective and emergent cases.
- Collaborated with Anesthesia, Scheduling, East Operating Room, and Endo/GI lab departments to maintain a consistent and expedited schedule.
- Maintained staffing needs and assignments as necessary.
- Utilized strong communication skills and delegation of trauma cases emergent on weekends, i.e., open heart cases and ortho/neurotrauma cases.
- Orthopedic Team Surgical RN; 2008-2015
- Duties included a full range of innovative orthopedic care: circulate and scrub primary joint surgeries, arthroscopies, and fracture cases.
- (High volume of orthopedic cases: up to 50 total joint cases per week)
- Served on various patient care committees, including Operating Room: Count Committee.
- Super User IT Support for EPIC Computer Charting System hospital-wide charting for all employees and physicians.
- Maintained Magnet Nursing Excellence Role with CNOR since 2000.
REGISTERED NURSE, PREOPERATIVE RN/PRE-OP CARE UNIT
SAINT PETER'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
01.1998 - 01.2007
- Conducted pre-admission assessments of both adult and pediatric populations for surgical procedures.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities while verifying surgical clearances.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Championed a patient-centered approach by actively involving patients and their families in the care planning process.
Clinical Coordinator/Operating Room
Saint Peter's University Hospital
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Fulfilled the role of charge nurse, with the responsibility to supervise all RNs and ancillary staff.
- Evaluated staffing requirements, unit assignments, and activities to maintain an efficient OR schedule.
- Increased efficiency in patient care delivery, reducing turn over times and improving overall satisfaction.
- Conducted training and development activities for staff nurses and surgeons, providing coaching and mentoring.
- Participated in the Quality Assurance programs in cooperation with quality committees.
- Monitored health and safety compliance and infection control within the unit.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards and best practices through diligent oversight of clinical procedures, documentation, and staff training.
Laparoscopic Team Leader/Operating Room
Saint Peters University Hospital
01.1998 - 01.2005
- Precept all OR staff on advanced laparoscopic procedures, including all pharmaceuticals, equipment
- Conduct weekend workshops for surgeons and staff to demonstrate and practice technologies and teach troubleshooting of advanced computer equipment
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
Chamberlain University
10.2025
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University
04.2023
Diploma -
Muhlenberg School of Nursing
Plainfield, NJ12.1997
Associate's Degree - science
Union County College
Union, NJ12.1997
undergraduate courses -
Fairleigh Dickenson University
12.1993
Skills
- EPIC/CERNER Super User/Build
- Kronos/PeopleSoft Proficiency
- Microsoft Office/Excel/Powerpoint
- JCAHO/HIPAA/OSHA Compliance
- Quality/Outcomes Improvement
- Staff Development/Training/Performance
- Budget Administration
- Nursing Liaison/Patient Care Coordination
Certification
CNOR: CERTIFIED OPERATING ROOM NURSE (1998-current) renewal 2027
BLS: BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (2023-7/2025 renewal)
ACLS: ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR LIFE SUPPORT(2/2023-renewal 2025)
PALS: PEDIATRIC ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT(2/2023-renewal 2025)
COMMITTEES
- Operating Room Information Technology Leadership.
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Operating Room Count Committee
- Safety Committee
- Tissue Management
- EPIC Build-Chicago
AFFILIATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
- AORN MEMBER 1998-current
- American Heart Association
- 2002: New Orleans, Poster "Representing the Minimally Invasive Surgical Team" at The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Convention
- 2001: New York City, Abstract "Educating the Minimally Invasive Surgery Team: Creating the Figurative Sterile Field," Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
Referrals
Furnished upon request
Timeline
Assistant Nurse Manager Same Day Surgery
HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH JFK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
02.2023 - Current
Assistant Nurse Manager Main OR
Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Medical Center
07.2017 - 02.2023
ASSISTANT NURSE MANAGER ORTHOPEDIC SERVICE
HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH JFK UNIVERSITY
07.2016 - 07.2017
REGISTERED NURSE OR, CNOR
JUPITER OUTPATIENT SURGERY CENTER
03.2015 - 05.2016
REGISTERED NURSE, CHARGE NURSE OR, CNOR, PRECEPTOR
NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE CENTRAL DUPAGE HOSPITAL
06.2008 - 01.2015
Clinical Coordinator/Operating Room
Saint Peter's University Hospital
01.2004 - 01.2005
Laparoscopic Team Leader/Operating Room
Saint Peters University Hospital
01.1998 - 01.2005
REGISTERED NURSE, PREOPERATIVE RN/PRE-OP CARE UNIT
SAINT PETER'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
01.1998 - 01.2007
undergraduate courses -
Fairleigh Dickenson University
CNOR: CERTIFIED OPERATING ROOM NURSE (1998-current) renewal 2027
BLS: BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (2023-7/2025 renewal)
ACLS: ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR LIFE SUPPORT(2/2023-renewal 2025)
PALS: PEDIATRIC ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT(2/2023-renewal 2025)
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
Chamberlain University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University
Diploma -
Muhlenberg School of Nursing
Associate's Degree - science
Union County College
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