Kelly Higdon
Deale
Summary
- Nursing professional with 23+ years' experience
- Associates and Bachelors of Science in Nursing
- Skilled Nursing background with multi-talented approach to multiple disciplines of patient care
- Several years' experience working as a collaborative team member with a variety of staff members: doctors, nurses, technicians, office staff, etc. in an extremely fast-paced, autonomous environments. Emphasis on surgical nurse training in Preop/PACU/Phase II/OR as the most consistent experience; Ophthalmology Circulating Nurse for last 3+ years
- Seasoned Operating Room Circulator known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Possess specialized skills in sterile field maintenance, surgical equipment preparation, and patient positioning. Excel in communication, teamwork, and adaptability, ensuring seamless operations in fast-paced surgical environments.
- Experienced nursing professional bringing demonstrated clinical expertise, leadership skills and technical knowledge. Proficient in updating charts, monitoring medications and working with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care. Quality-driven and efficient with strong interpersonal abilities.
- Experienced in fast-paced environments and adaptable to last-minute changes. Thrives under pressure and consistently earns high marks for work quality and speed.
- Experienced and dependable general worker with a proven track record of efficiently completing tasks in various settings. Skilled in manual labor, equipment operation, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace. Safety-conscious with a strong work ethic and the ability to adapt to different environments. Ready to contribute to a dynamic team and make a positive impact.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operating Room Circulator Nurse/Preoperative Nurse
Lakeview Surgery Center (Prism Vision Group)
Bowie
07.2019 - Current
- OR/Preop/PACU Nurse in fast-paced Eye Surgery Center. Duties include: Operating Room Circulator Nursing skills. Preop patients, IV skills, H&P/lab work/EKG requirements; Recover patients in PACU after monitored anesthesia. Preop & post-op phone calls to patients. Patient & family education.
- Conducts Pre-operative & Post-operative health assessments with patients and families via telephone, in-person or virtually for all surgical cases daily
- Collects & reviews surgical clearances from patients Primary Care Physicians, Specialists clearances (I.e. Cardiology, Nephrology, etc..), lab work & EKG's for patients having surgery
- Assisting director in ASC quarterly requirements such as: Mock Codes, Fire drills and other safety drills, QI, staff education and orienting new staff & nurses.
- Preparation/Involvement for Medicare/State/JHACO surveys
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses in surgical settings.
- Assisted in pre-operative assessments and post-operative care for patients.
- Collaborated with surgeons and anesthesiologists during procedures to ensure safety.
- Educated patients on post-surgical care and recovery protocols.
- Maintained accurate patient records using electronic health record systems.
- Trained new nursing staff on protocols and best practices at the center.
- Implemented infection control procedures to maintain sterile environments in the facility.
- Coordinated patient schedules and managed surgical flow effectively throughout the day.
- Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Maintained a safe environment for both staff and patients through adherence to safety protocols.
- Administered medications and treatments in accordance with physician orders.
- Used sterile techniques to prepare patients for procedures.
- Assisted physician with examinations, tests and procedures.
- Responded quickly and effectively in emergency situations utilizing advanced life saving skills when needed.
- Ensured that all documentation was accurate and up-to-date according to established guidelines.
- Trained other nurses on patient care and daily tasks, supporting growth, and professional development.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while prioritizing urgent requests from physicians or nurses.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives in order to improve patient outcomes.
- Communicated concerns regarding patients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers.
- Provided guidance to new employees regarding policies and procedures within the organization.
- Assisted in maintaining sterile environment and equipment readiness.
- Assisted with orientation of new personnel within the department ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
Admissions Nurse
Serenity Acres Treatment Center
Crownsville
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Responsibilities include assessment/screening clients for Admission into dual-diagnoses (substance abuse & mental health) facility. Organization of all client lab work while in program; Naltrexone/Vivitrol management (including education, ordering, obtaining authorizations from insurance & administering injections); Administering all employee TB testing annually; nursing education PowerPoint presentations/discussions weekly for clients; orientation to new nursing hires.
- Preparation/Involvement for Medicare/State/JHACO surveys
Staff Nurse
University Center for Ambulatory Surgery
Riverdale Park
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Responsibilities include patient care in pre and post-op procedures such as endoscopes, colonoscopies, eye/Cataract/Retina/plastic/urology surgeries; operating room experience/training, procedure experience, office management, patient/family education including frequent non-English speaking individuals, policy & procedure management, customer service, working with a variety of staff members: doctors, nurses, technicians, office staff, etc. in an extremely fast-paced, autonomous environment.
- Preparation/Involvement for Medicare/State/JHACO surveys
Staff Nurse
Anne Arundel Medical Center
Annapolis
01.2006 - 01.2015
- Responsibilities include patient care in pre and post-op procedures for multi-specialty procedures including: orthopedics, plastic, urology, spine/joint, ENT, pediatrics, Cath Lab, etc...
- Assessment of patient preparedness to return home and provide follow-up instruction post surgery.
- Experienced in precepting new nurses with review of skill and knowledge level to work independently.
- Duties include charge nurse on as needed basis, active participation in staff skills day teaching skills to all staff yearly, working with and educating patients & families from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
- Preparation/Involvement for Medicare/State/JHACO surveys
Clinical Nursing Instructor-Adjunct Faculty
Bowie State University
Bowie
01.2013 - 05.2013
- Taught and mentored 10 Senior Nursing Students on a Medical-Surgical Unit for complete care of high-acuity patients. Responsible for the monitoring & grading of several assignments, speeches, & presentations by students and providing professional discussions & debates over case assignments, etc.
Staff Nurse
Anne Arundel Medical Center
01.2003 - 01.2006
- This position required numerous opportunities in instructional experiences. Duties included thorough patient teaching after joint and spine surgery including numerous classes in our joint program on preoperative and post-operative care, discharge and home care.
- Active as a charge nurse on this unit and precepted many new graduates/nurses to our unit.
Nursing Intern
Anne Arundel Medical Center
01.2002 - 01.2003
Education
Bachelors of Science in Nursing - Nursing
College of Notre Dame of Maryland
01.2008
Associates of Science in Nursing - Nursing
Anne Arundel Community College
01.2003
Skills
- Med Surg
- Cpr
- Pediatric
- Medicare
- Cardiac life support
- General office
- Experience Administering Injections
- Cpr certification
- ICD-9
- Medical terminology
- Cardiac
- Pain Management
- RN
- Epic
- Microsoft office
- Cpr certified
- Retail sales
- Supervising Experience
- General office duties
- Energetic
- Customer service
- Triage
- Communication skills
- Microsoft powerpoint
- Hospital
- CPT coding
- Powerpoint
- Microsoft word
- Medical Surgical
- Receptionist
- Medication Administration
- Collection
- Vital Signs
- Data collection
- Ms office
- Staff Nurse
- EMR Systems
- Nursing
- Microsoft Excel
- Acls
- ICD-10
- Operating room circulation
- Infection control
- Surgical care coordination
- Staff training
- Time management
- Surgical equipment
- Anesthesia monitoring
- Sterile technique proficiency
- Patient assessment
- Surgical documentation
- Electronic health records
- Quality improvement
- Team collaboration
- Patient education
- Effective communication
- Safety compliance
- Adaptable Decision-making
- Infection control practices
- Preoperative assessment
- Postoperative care
- Electronic medical records
- Supply preparation
- Circulating nurse skills
- Critical thinking
- HIPAA compliance
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Operating room safety
- Maintaining sterility
Certification
- ACLS Certification, 10/01/21, 10/01/23
- BLS Certification, 10/01/21, 10/01/23
- RN, 05/01/24, MD
Timeline
Operating Room Circulator Nurse/Preoperative Nurse
Lakeview Surgery Center (Prism Vision Group)
07.2019 - Current
Admissions Nurse
Serenity Acres Treatment Center
01.2017 - 01.2019
Staff Nurse
University Center for Ambulatory Surgery
01.2015 - 01.2017
Clinical Nursing Instructor-Adjunct Faculty
Bowie State University
01.2013 - 05.2013
Staff Nurse
Anne Arundel Medical Center
01.2006 - 01.2015
Staff Nurse
Anne Arundel Medical Center
01.2003 - 01.2006
Nursing Intern
Anne Arundel Medical Center
01.2002 - 01.2003
Bachelors of Science in Nursing - Nursing
College of Notre Dame of Maryland
Associates of Science in Nursing - Nursing
Anne Arundel Community College