Ciarra Melendez
Summary
Experienced Trauma and Surgical ICU Registered Nurse, CCRN, with five years of caring for critically ill trauma, surgical, and post-cardiac surgery patients.
Adaptable and committed to delivering exceptional patient care, with the ability to quickly integrate into new healthcare teams and workflows while maintaining the highest standards of critical care.
Overview
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse: Trauma ICU
Integris Baptist Medical Center
03.2025 - Current
- Relief Charge Nurse
- Preceptor
- Provides direct support during trauma activations and emergency resuscitations, assisting in rapid assessments and stabilization of critically injured patients.
- Assists with primary and secondary trauma surveys. Maintains spinal precautions, establishes IV access, obtains blood specimens, and coordinates rapid diagnostic imaging.
- Assists with airway management, intubation and extubation, and other emergent bedside procedures.
- Titrates vasoactive and sedative infusions, manages pain, and collaborates with other professionals to ensure timely lifesaving interventions.
- Administered medications and treatments and monitored patients for reactions and side effects.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies, and standards of care.
Registered Nurse: Surgical ICU
Northwest Texas Hospital
01.2021 - Current
- Delivered comprehensive critical care to high-acuity trauma patients requiring advanced respiratory and hemodynamic support.
- Managed care for mechanically ventilated patients to ensure optimal respiratory function.
- Titrated vasoactive and sedative infusions while interpreting invasive hemodynamic data.
- Managed equipment, including Hemisphere monitors, external ventricular drains (EVDs), Camino-intracranial monitoring system, CRRT machines, and Impella devices.
- Assisted with bedside procedures and emergent stabilization during acute decompensation episodes, utilizing a Belmont rapid infuser.
- Educated patients and families on effective health management and wellness strategies.
- Assisted in diagnostic tests and procedures, ensuring patient comfort and safety.
- Preceptor
Registered Nurse: Night Observation, Post Surgery
Advanced Surgery Center
03.2023 - 01.2026
- Provided overnight monitoring for post-operative day-surgery patients requiring extended observation after anesthesia and procedural sedation.
- Performed focused assessments of airway patency, respiratory status, hemodynamic stability, pain control, and early post-anesthetic complications.
- Managed postoperative pain, nausea, oxygenation, and fluid status while supporting safe recovery and mobilization.
- Administered medications and treatments in accordance with established protocols.
- Monitored patient vital signs and reported changes to healthcare providers.
- Educated patients on post-operative care and recovery guidelines.
Registered Nurse: Sedation nurse/ Radiology
Baptist Saint Anthony Hospital
11.2023 - 05.2025
- Provided moderate and conscious sedation for adult and pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic and interventional radiology procedures.
- Conducted comprehensive pre-procedural assessments, including medication review and patient education, to ensure safe sedation planning.
- Administered and titrated sedative and analgesic agents while continuously monitoring airway patency, respiratory status, cardiac rhythm, and hemodynamic stability.
- Managed post-procedure recovery, discharge education, and safe resumption of home medications following sedation.
Undergraduate Nursing Clinical Preceptor
Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Nursing
01.2023 - 12.2024
- Provided guidance as a paid clinical preceptor for undergraduate nursing students in the surgical ICU.
- Provided direct bedside instruction, supervision, and evaluation throughout the students' critical care clinical rotations.
- Taught and reinforced ICU assessment, hemodynamic monitoring, medication titrations, ventilator management, and safe patient care practices.
- Facilitated nursing objectives to real-time critical care decision-making while ensuring patient safety and professional development.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments and provided constructive feedback.
- Collaborated with faculty to align clinical experiences with academic goals.
PC Technician
BSA Health System
Amarillo, Texas
11.2018 - 12.2020
- Provided compassionate care to patients in diverse healthcare settings.
- Assisted nursing staff with daily patient activities and personal hygiene tasks.
- Monitored vital signs and accurately documented changes in patient condition.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of patient care areas and equipment.
- Communicated effectively with patients to address their needs and concerns.
CNA
The Craig Senior Living
Amarillo, TX
12.2014 - 08.2016
- Assisted residents with activities of daily living and personal care needs.
- Monitored vital signs and promptly reported changes to nursing staff.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of resident rooms and common areas.
- Communicated effectively with residents, families, and healthcare team members.
Education
B.S - Nursing
Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Nursing
12-2020
B.S - Human Development and Family Studies
Texas Tech University
08-2018
A.S - Pre-Nursing
Amarillo College
05-2016
Skills
Northwest Texas Hospital
Amarillo, TX
June 2026
24 hours
MEMBERSHIP
American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Member 2024-present
Relevant Coursework In Progress
Non-Degree student
The University of the Incarnate Word lla Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions
Transition to Nurse Anesthesiology (Nurs 6301) |Expected Completion August 2026
Certification
- Registered Nurse (RN) - State of Texas (April, 2021) License # 1022011
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) (Certified November 2025)
- Acute Trauma Care Nurse (ATCN) (Certified April 2023)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) (Certified July 2020)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) (Certified July 2020)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) (Certified January 2021)
- COVID for Nursing Professionals, Advanced Infection Control for COVID
Timeline
Registered Nurse: Trauma ICU
Integris Baptist Medical Center
03.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse: Sedation nurse/ Radiology
Baptist Saint Anthony Hospital
11.2023 - 05.2025
Registered Nurse: Night Observation, Post Surgery
Advanced Surgery Center
03.2023 - 01.2026
Undergraduate Nursing Clinical Preceptor
Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Nursing
01.2023 - 12.2024
Registered Nurse: Surgical ICU
Northwest Texas Hospital
01.2021 - Current
PC Technician
BSA Health System
11.2018 - 12.2020
CNA
The Craig Senior Living
12.2014 - 08.2016
B.S - Nursing
Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Nursing
B.S - Human Development and Family Studies
Texas Tech University
A.S - Pre-Nursing
Amarillo College