Ginna Morrison
Asheville,NC
Summary
Certified Registered Nurse with 16 years of experience providing care predominantly to patients in postoperative and postanesthesia settings with 8 years in ICU. Continued leadership roles as current SICU VC3 for over a year, SICU Professional Development representative for the past 3 years, as well as charge nurse and committee positions in a variety of settings throughout career. Uphold the VA’s mission and ICARE values by facilitating patient centered care and collaborating with multidisciplinary services to promote optimal outcomes for veterans and their families.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse- Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Charles George VAMC
02.2021 - Current
- VC3, charge nurse, and staff nurse on 12 bed surgical ICU/step down unit. Population includes veterans after thoracic, general, vascular, urologic, orthopedic, gynecologic, and ENT surgeries, as well as cardiac catheterizations, pacemaker implantation, and a variety of medical diagnoses.
- Assist the Nurse Manager with daily provisions of care and delegated tasks.
- Participate with interviews and selection process of new hires.
- Apply a proactive approach to ensure safe staffing ratios while managing patient flow, organizing patient assignments, and attending bed meetings with the nurse coordinators and managers.
- Utilize effective communication skills as lead of multidisciplinary rounds and unit liaison to anticipate and address veteran, staff and unit needs through collaboration with various professions throughout the healthcare system.
- Demonstrate adaptability during complex situations by managing many high priority activities with a calm, approachable demeanor.
- Support staff as VC3 by taking patient assignments when necessary, providing hands on and indirect assistance, and acting as a dependable unit resource.
- Respond to code blue and RRT calls throughout the medical center and apply ACLS/BLS, TNCC, and triage skills through a focused assessment with the response team.
- Improve patient safety by deceasing falls as VC3 through daily checks with nurses regarding patient fall risk scores and appropriate use of bed and chair alarms.
- Attended charge nurse classes at both the local and national level and applied knowledge gained to daily practice. Received positive feedback from Nurse Manager and staff commending professional growth as a leader.
- Competently care for veterans requiring hemodynamic monitoring, inotrope/vasoactive/antidysrhythmic drips, paralytics, ventilators, FloTrac, CRRT and IABP.
- Proficient in recovering inpatients and outpatients after general anesthesia, MAC, and moderate sedation with adherence to hospital policies and protocols as well as national ASPAN standards.
- Assist with bedside procedures including bronchoscopies, EGDs, cardioversions, thoracentesis, paracentesis, central line and arterial line placements.
- Apply the knowledge gained through the NxStage training course and clinical experience as a CRRT superuser to provide guidance and support to nurses seeking assistance.
- Assisted with the development, implementation, and education of the current "Postanesthesia and Sedation Care" Standard of Practice under the guidance of the Acute and Procedural Care CNS.
- Initiated, developed, and implemented an ICU Recovery flowsheet for REACT patients through a collaboration with the IT PICIS specialist.
- Educated SICU RNs on the ICU Recovery flowsheet, VA-PAS scoring system, and appropriate documentation in compliance with the SOP and ASPAN Standards.
- Facilitated MICU RN competency of recovering general anesthesia patients through cross training in SICU and completing the required competency documentation.
- Provided evidence-based education on TeleICU based on previous experience and assisted with training during in service to promote optimal use for better patient outcomes.
- Received TNCC certification after attending 2 day course and successfully passing a verbal exam using the Trauma Nurse Process during simulation.
- Attend monthly Professional Development meetings as the SICU representative. Apply the Donna Wright Model to create and ensure completion of annual competencies based on unit requests and areas of improvement as well as hospital requirements. Provide education to unit and acute care nursing staff using multiple modalities.
- Organized and participated in Skill Fairs for ongoing competency completion and knowledge enhancement based on an annual Education Need Survey.
- Qualified preceptor to TTP students, PBRNR nurses, nursing students during clinical rotations, and newly hired SICU RNs. Attended the PMC class and maintained competency through annual education requirements.
- Coordinated an in-service with the Nimbus representative to educate nurses on a newly implemented pain pump.
- Updated the SICU resource guide with up to date and pertinent information for SWAT, float RNs, and DEMPS RNs.
- Developed a checklist of daily responsibilities for dayshift and nightshift charge RNs in response to staff request for additional resources.
Registered Nurse – Day Surgery/Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Charles George VAMC
09.2018 - 02.2021
- Provided pre and post operative care to inpatient and outpatient veterans after ophthalmic, ENT, vascular, general, urologic, gynecologic, orthopedic, podiatric surgeries as well as cardiac catheterizations, endoscopies, TEEs, cardioversions, bronchoscopies, and various special procedures.
- Assured appropriate patient progression following surgery and anesthesia through Aldrete utilization, airway management, cardiac monitoring, pain control, fluid management, PONV treatment, wound care, anxiety alleviation, and safety during emergence delirium
- Identified and managed life threatening postoperative and postanesthesia complications with proficient critical thinking, independent problem solving, complex prioritization, and experienced clinical judgment.
- Advocated for patient and family centered care with a holistic approach by providing constant communication and education throughout the perianesthesia process; including intermittent preparation of patient for surgery, regional blocks, and line placement, as well as discharge home after outpatient surgeries.
- Optimized communication with an interdisciplinary team of Anesthesiologists, Surgeons, CRNAs, charge RNs, OR RNs, unit/floor RNs, Pharmacists, and CNAs to proactively advance the patient to positive outcomes in an organized manner.
- Provided guidance, education, and ensure compliance with required standards as the Unit Peer Leader for safe patient handling/mobility and the unit champion for fit testing and ON-Q pain relief systems.
- Collaborated with Informatics and Durham VAMC staff to develop charting for ON-Q pumps and consulted Asheville VAMC staff to transform the SBAR communication sheet used during hand off report.
Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Mission Hospital
05.2015 - 09.2018
- Provided care to adult and pediatric patients in a high acuity, high volume area in Phase I and II of recovery from general anesthesia and MAC after surgery.
- Such surgeries included neurosurgery, trauma, orthopedic, general, gynecologic, urologic, bariatric, vascular, podiatric, and ENT.
- Frequently assigned critically ill patients with ETTs, ventilators, hemodynamic and sedation drips, arterial and central lines, Swan Ganz catheters, external ventricular drains, LVADs, and Code Stroke patients.
- Routinely served as interim supervisor for 3 perianesthesia areas throughout 2 campuses and charge nurse for a 24 bed PACU.
- Received positive evaluations from staff and management for being trustworthy, focused, and remaining calm under pressure.
- Responsibilities included directing patient flow, adjusting staffing requirements, anticipating staff and patient needs, assigning patients based on ASPAN standards, appropriate delegation, and hands-on assistance.
- Frequently precepted newly hired RNs to PACU and consistently receive excellent evaluations for being professional, knowledgeable, and patient while providing constructive feedback and fostering a beneficial learning experience.
- Obtained CPAN certification.
- Chair of the Perianesthesia Professional Governance Committee.
- Accomplishments included charting reform to a standardized system, staff morale improvement through recognition initiatives and engagement, transitioning to computerized self scheduling, identifying areas of improvement and providing education with collaboration from other professions and patient specialties.
- Attended ASPAN national conference with unit Director, Manager, and Educator for recognition of dedication and accomplishments as Interim Supervisor, Primary Preceptor, Chair of Professional Governance, and CPAN certification.
Registered Nurse - Open Heart/Transitional Open Heart/Float Pool
Lehigh Valley Health Network
10.2011 - 05.2015
- Primarily provided immediate postoperative care to patients in a critical care setting after cardiac, vascular, and thoracic surgeries.
- Managed bedside ECMO, LVAD, IABP, CRRT, Swan-Ganz catheters, central and arterial lines, epicardial and transvenous pacemakers, lumbar drains, chest tubes, and warming/cooling blankets.
- Adapted to different units as float RN to several ICUs (TNICU, NSICU, MSICU, Burn, CICU), PCUs, and Medical/Surgical floors.
- Efficiently responded to postoperative complications and communicated changes in patient's condition to appropriate team members.
- Administered IV inotropes, vasoactives, antidysrhythmics, insulin and anticoagulants.
- Assisted physicians and physician assistants with various bedside procedures.
- Member of the Scheduling Committee.
- Balanced the schedule for the specialty float pool and assisted with the transition to computerized self scheduling.
- Participated in rounds on a variety of units and floors.
Registered Nurse - Transitional Open Heart Unit
Lehigh Valley Health Network
01.2009 - 10.2011
- Provided preoperative and postoperative care to patients on a telemetry step-down unit after various surgeries, with a specialty in cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgeries.
- Charge nurse for 30 bed unit.
- Communicated staffing needs to nurse coordinator, responded to code blues and RRTs on unit, and managed patient flow from admission to discharge and transfers to higher and lower levels of care.
- Provided support and delegation of tasks to nursing staff.
- Participate as bedside RN in multidisciplinary team rounds.
- Monitored vital signs and telemetry, obtained and interpreted 12- lead EKGs, inserted and maintained IV catheters, Foley catheters, and nasogastric tubes, accessed/deaccessed ports, obtained and interpreted laboratory work.
- Managed IV antidysrhythmic, anticoagulation, and insulin drips.
- Recognized and intervened efficiently with postoperative complications.
- Cared for a diverse population of medical and surgical patients from admissions and discharges to transfers from various units.
- Member of the Education Committee.
- Disseminated information to staff regarding new protocols and best practice standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN05.2007
Licensure/Certifications/Awards
- Registered Nurse, NC License #276757, 08/2026
- Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN), ABPANC, 04/2026
- Trauma Nurse Core Course Certification (TNCC), ENA, 12/2028
- Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support (ACLS), AHA, 06/2025
- Basic Life Support (BLS), AHA, 06/2025
- 2024- Team Daisy Award, SICU, CGVAMC, Asheville, NC
- 2024- Shining Light Employee of the Month Award, SICU, CGVAMC, Asheville, NC
- 2018- Service Excellence Award, PACU, Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC
- 2016- Surgical Services STAR Award, PACU, Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC
- 2014- Friends of Nursing Award for New Knowledge, Innovations & Improvements, OHU, LVHN, Allentown, PA
Timeline
Registered Nurse- Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Charles George VAMC
02.2021 - Current
Registered Nurse – Day Surgery/Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Charles George VAMC
09.2018 - 02.2021
Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Mission Hospital
05.2015 - 09.2018
Registered Nurse - Open Heart/Transitional Open Heart/Float Pool
Lehigh Valley Health Network
10.2011 - 05.2015
Registered Nurse - Transitional Open Heart Unit
Lehigh Valley Health Network
01.2009 - 10.2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Indiana University
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