Lacey Saunders
Albuquerque
Summary
Registered Nurse with nearly seven years of experience across emergency, ICU step-down, and hospital-wide float settings, including promotion to Charge Nurse and Clinical Practice Leader. Proven leader in staff scheduling, payroll, unit operations, quality improvement, and employee engagement. Adaptable travel and float nurse with system-wide insight and operational flexibility. Clinically proficient in emergency, trauma, and ICU step-down care, including high-acuity patient assessment, advanced monitoring, continuous infusions, ultrasound-guided IVs, implanted port management, and rapid response support. Seeking a nursing management role focused on staff development, operational excellence, and patient safety.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Charge Nurse / Clinical Practice Leader
PresNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care
08.2023 - Current
- Promoted from Floor Nurse to Charge Nurse based on demonstrated leadership, clinical judgment, and operational reliability.
- Provide shift-level operational oversight, serving as the primary clinical leader and point of escalation for staff, providers, and administration.
- Develop and manage unit-wide staff schedules, ensuring appropriate coverage, fair scheduling practices, and alignment with staffing targets.
- Oversee timekeeping and payroll processes, including verification of hours, correction of discrepancies, and adherence to organizational policies.
- Serve as Clinical Practice Leader for two years, mentoring nursing staff, supporting competency development, and reinforcing best clinical practices.
- Active member of the Quality Improvement Committee, collaborating on initiatives to enhance patient flow, safety, and care quality.
- Participate in Employee Engagement initiatives, including coordination of Employee of the Month nominations and staff recognition efforts to support morale and retention.
- Partner with providers and leadership to optimize patient throughput, address operational challenges, and maintain high standards of care delivery.
Registered Nurse
University of New Mexico Hospital - Emergency Room & Trauma Bay
06.2022 - 02.2024
- Served as lead nurse for Level 1, 2, and 3 trauma activations, coordinating multidisciplinary teams of 5–10 healthcare professionals.
- Demonstrated strong leadership under pressure while stabilizing critically injured patients in a high-acuity trauma setting.
- Managed complex critical care interventions, including titration of vasopressors, sedation, insulin infusions, and ventilator adjustments.
Travel Float Nurse
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
11.2021 - 05.2022
- Served as a travel nurse and hospital-wide float nurse, providing nursing coverage across multiple departments and specialties, including the Emergency Room and all inpatient units.
- Frequently floated between units on short notice, requiring rapid adaptation to varying workflows, patient populations, and specialty-specific protocols.
- Demonstrated strong clinical judgment and autonomy while integrating into unfamiliar teams and environments night after night.
- Supported unit operations by maintaining safe staffing levels during periods of high census, staffing shortages, and surge demands.
- Collaborated effectively with interdisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care despite frequent transitions between departments.
- Recognized for flexibility, professionalism, and ability to quickly assess unit needs and contribute effectively with minimal orientation.
Relief Charge Nurse
Lovelace Medical Center - ICU Step-Down Unit
04.2021 - 10.2021
- Provided charge nurse leadership on an ICU step-down unit, supporting high-acuity patients requiring advanced monitoring and frequent clinical intervention.
- Managed complex patient assignments while overseeing unit flow, staffing needs, and escalation of care.
- Cared for patients requiring continuous BiPAP support, ensuring appropriate monitoring, troubleshooting, and coordination with respiratory therapy.
- Safely titrated continuous infusions, including rate-control cardiac medications, vasopressors, and sedation drips for patients experiencing active alcohol withdrawal.
- Served as a clinical resource for nursing staff, assisting with complex patient management, prioritization, and rapid clinical changes.
Registered Nurse
Lovelace Medical Center - ICU Step-Down Unit
02.2019 - 10.2021
- Delivered direct patient care to high-acuity ICU step-down patients requiring close hemodynamic, respiratory, and neurologic monitoring.
- Independently managed multiple continuous infusions and non-invasive ventilatory support while maintaining strict adherence to safety protocols.
- Collaborated closely with providers, respiratory therapy, and pharmacy to adjust treatment plans based on patient response.
- Demonstrated strong clinical judgment in recognizing deterioration and initiating timely escalation of care.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Aspen University
Denver, CO10-2021
Associate of Science - Nursing
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM12-2018
Bachelor of Science - Exercise Science
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM07-2013
International Exchange Student - Nutrition & Dietetics, Exercise Science
University of Queensland
Brisbane, Australia07-2013
Bachelor of Science - Nutrition & Dietetics
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM05-2013
Skills
- Unit Operations & Shift Oversight
- Staff Scheduling, Workforce Planning & Coverage Management
- Payroll, Timekeeping & Attendance Oversight
- Charge Nurse Leadership & Clinical Escalation
- Staff Mentorship, Coaching & Performance Support
- Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Initiatives
- Employee Engagement, Recognition & Retention Efforts
- Interdisciplinary Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Rapid Decision-Making in High-Acuity Environments
- Emergency, Trauma & ICU Step-Down Nursing
- Advanced Cardiac & Hemodynamic Monitoring
Leadership & Operations
Clinical & Technical Expertise
- Continuous Infusion Management (vasopressors, rate-control cardiac medications, sedation drips)
- Management of Patients on Continuous BiPAP
- Alcohol Withdrawal & Sedation Protocols
- Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral IV Placement
- Accessing and Managing Implanted Ports
- High-Acuity Patient Assessment & Early Deterioration Recognition
- Rapid Response & Code Management Support
- Hospital-Wide Float & Travel Nursing Experience
- Rapid Integration Across Units & Specialties
- Workflow Optimization in Variable Clinical Settings
- Strong Situational Awareness & Prioritization Skills
Adaptability & Systems Knowledge
Certification
Registered Nurse – State of New Mexico
License #55114 | Active since February 2019
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) – November 2023
Professional Certifications
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) – September 2022
- Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) – March 2023
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – May 2022
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – February 2019
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – February 2019
- NIH Stroke Scale Certification – August 2019
Timeline
Charge Nurse / Clinical Practice Leader
PresNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care
08.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse
University of New Mexico Hospital - Emergency Room & Trauma Bay
06.2022 - 02.2024
Travel Float Nurse
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
11.2021 - 05.2022
Relief Charge Nurse
Lovelace Medical Center - ICU Step-Down Unit
04.2021 - 10.2021
Registered Nurse
Lovelace Medical Center - ICU Step-Down Unit
02.2019 - 10.2021
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Aspen University
Associate of Science - Nursing
Central New Mexico Community College
Bachelor of Science - Exercise Science
University of New Mexico
International Exchange Student - Nutrition & Dietetics, Exercise Science
University of Queensland
Bachelor of Science - Nutrition & Dietetics
University of New Mexico