Lela Short
North Richland Hills,TX
Summary
Resourceful and dedicated PACU/PreOp RN with 15+ years of experience providing exceptional postanesthesia care in high-acuity settings, including level 1 trauma facilities. Expertise in patient monitoring, pain management, and preoperative education. Proven ability to adapt quickly across various healthcare environments, ensuring optimal patient outcomes. Holds multiple certifications, including ACLS and PALS, and committed to delivering high-quality nursing care.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Hays Medical Center
Hays, KS
09.2025 - 12.2025
- Provided high-quality nursing care to post-anesthesia patients, ensuring their safety and comfort
- Monitored vital signs, assessed pain levels, and administered medications as prescribed by physicians
- Collaborated with the surgical team to develop individualized patient care plans based on their specific needs
- Assisted in the recovery of patients from anesthesia, closely monitoring their respiratory status and overall condition
Travel RN PACU and PreOp
Aya Healthcare
01.2021 - 12.2025
- Traveled to various locations in US to provide PACU phase 1 care, monitoring post-op patients' vital signs, pain control, neurological checks, blood sugars, dressing changes, and IV medication administration.
- Ex: Vital signs, pain control, neurological checks, blood sugars, dressing changes, IV medication administration etc.
- Floated to PreOp to deliver preoperative patient care, performing vital signs checks, IV starts, assessments, surgery preparation, and patient and family education.
- Ex: Vital signs, IV start, assessment, surgery prep, patient and family education.
- Floated to stage 2 recovery, administered oral pain medication and provided discharge instructions and teaching for patients and families.
- Ex: Vital signs, admin. oral pain medication as needed, discharge instructions, and teaching to patient and families.
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Providence Seaside Hospital
Seaside, OR
05.2025 - 09.2025
- Provided high-quality nursing care to post-anesthesia patients, ensuring their safety and comfort
- Facilitated recovery from anesthesia by closely monitoring respiratory status and overall condition of patients
- Monitored vital signs, assessed pain levels, and administered prescribed medications to ensure optimal patient recovery
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care instructions and potential medication side effects for enhanced recovery
Travel RN PeriOp
Aya Healthcare/Sutter Health Eden Medical Center
Castro Valley, CA
10.2024 - 03.2025
- Administered medications, monitored vital signs, ensured patient comfort and safety, contributing to positive surgical outcomes
- Assessed patient conditions, collaborated with surgical team to create individualized care plans, enhancing patient preparedness for procedures
- Provided comprehensive nursing care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures
- Educated patients and families on health management and discharge instructions, empowering them for effective post-surgical recovery.
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, IA
10.2023 - 04.2024
- Provided PACU care to patients in a busy level 1 trauma and teaching facility.
- Addressed patient needs and emergencies in recovery area, ensuring timely interventions and enhancing patient safety.
- Coordinated care for diverse patient population across multiple specialties, facilitating smooth transitions in a fast-paced environment.
- Recorded patient progress and interventions in electronic health records, contributing to continuity of care and accurate clinical documentation.
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/High Point Regional Hospital
High Point, NC
04.2023 - 09.2023
- Delivered PACU care in level III trauma setting for diverse patient population, including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, and pediatrics, ensuring optimal recovery outcomes.
- Administered anesthesia blocks to support surgical procedures and ensure patient comfort.
- Managed post-operative care for GI, special, and day surgery patients, monitoring recovery and addressing patient needs.
- Prepared patients for various surgical procedures in pre-op, including general surgery, day surgery, GI, and special procedures, contributing to efficient surgical flow.
- Ex: Patient admission, IV insertion, teaching and education.
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Roanoke, VA
08.2022 - 02.2023
- Delivered PACU care in pre and post-op radiology setting at trauma level 1 teaching facility, ensuring patient readiness for recovery.
- Coordinated with surgical team to uphold patient safety protocols, contributing to high standards of care.
- Administered pain relief techniques, improving patient comfort and satisfaction during recovery.
- Delivered specialized care to patients undergoing radiology and MRI procedures in a clinical setting.
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital
Columbia, SC
05.2022 - 07.2022
- Provided PACU care in a teaching hospital. Provided care for general surgery, pediatrics, orthopedics and gyn patients.
- Monitored patient vitals post-anesthesia in recovery unit.
- Coordinated with surgical team to uphold patient safety protocols.
- Facilitated pain management and comfort measures for patients in recovery.
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Baylor Scott and White Medical Center-Round Rock
Round Rock, TX
10.2021 - 04.2022
- Delivered PACU care in trauma IV teaching facility, ensuring patient safety and recovery.
- Supported patients with pain management and comfort measures to enhance recovery experience.
- Educated patients and families on recovery processes and discharge plans.
- Administered care for general surgery, pediatrics, orthopedics, and gynecology patients, promoting effective post-operative recovery.
- Floated to post op (stage 2) and GI PACU frequently.
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Hendrick Medical Center South
Abilene, TX
06.2021 - 09.2021
- Delivered PACU care in level III facility, nursing for general surgery, pediatrics, orthopedics, and gynecology patients in recovery.
- Monitored patient vitals post-anesthesia in recovery unit.
- Facilitated pain management and comfort measures for patients during recovery.
- Addressed patient needs and emergencies swiftly in recovery area.
PACU Staff RN
Texas Health Surgery Center
Arlington, TX
07.2019 - 09.2021
- Delivered phase 1 and phase 2 PACU care to patients in fast-paced eye surgery center, ensuring safe recovery and comfort.
- Monitored and assessed patients' vital signs in post-anesthesia care unit, promptly identifying and addressing any complications.
- Conducted discharge planning and provided patient/family education on post-operative care and recovery.
- Floated to pre-op to help prep patients for surgery.
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/OU Health-University of Oklahoma Medical Center
Oklahoma City, OK
03.2021 - 06.2021
- Delivered PACU care in high-acuity level 1 trauma and teaching facility, ensuring optimal recovery environment.
- Partnered with surgical team to implement and monitor patient safety protocols, enhancing overall patient outcomes.
- Facilitated pain management and comfort measures for patients, promoting recovery and patient satisfaction.
- Provided care for diverse patient populations including ICU, general surgery, pediatrics, orthopedics, and urology.
Staff RN Day Surgery
Northwest Texas Healthcare System
Amarillo, TX
09.2018 - 06.2019
- Delivered comprehensive pre and post op care for same day surgery patients in a level III trauma facility.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses, ensuring adherence to established protocols.
- Educated patients and families on health management and disease prevention strategies.
- Supported care for general surgery, pediatrics, orthopedics, and gynecology patients in a clinical setting.
Staff PACU RN
BSA Hospital
Amarillo, TX
04.2012 - 07.2018
- Delivered PACU care to critically ill patients in a level IV trauma center, ensuring safety and comfort during recovery.
- Assisted with administration of epidurals, blood patches, and anesthesia blocks to facilitate pain management.
- Trained new nurses on best practices in post-anesthesia recovery care, enhancing team competency and patient outcomes.
- Ex: Pediatrics, general surgery, ICU, orthopedics, neuro, gyn patients.
Staff RN, Home Health
Compassion Home Health Care
Lubbock, Texas
12.2008 - 07.2010
- Monitored patient vital signs, promptly reporting significant changes to healthcare providers to ensure timely intervention.
- Provided wound care and assessed healing progress, facilitating informed decisions during patient evaluations.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement patient care plans.
- Educated patients and families on health management and discharge instructions, enhancing understanding of post-discharge care.
Staff RN
Lubbock Heart and Surgical Hospital
Lubbock, Texas
03.2008 - 12.2008
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement comprehensive patient care plans.
- Monitored vital signs and documented changes in patient conditions to inform timely interventions.
- Administered medications and treatments per physician's orders in a fast-paced environment.
- Educated patients and families on health management and discharge instructions to enhance post-discharge outcomes.
Staff RN, Cardiac Outpatient
UMC Hospital
Lubbock, Texas
10.2005 - 02.2008
- Educated patients and families on treatment options and health practices, enhancing understanding and adherence to care plans.
- Informed family members about disease processes, medications, treatments, and expected outcomes, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Administered medications and monitored patient vital signs for safety.
- Provided immediate care and support in emergency situations, ensuring patient safety and effective crisis response.
Education
Nursing (RN) -
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX05.2005
Nursing (LVN) -
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX05.2002
Skills
- Medication Administration
- Experience Administering Injections
- Epic
- Acute care
- IV insertion
- Pediatrics
- Pre-Op
- Vital Signs
- PACU
- Nursing
- Hospital Experience
- Patient care
- Oncology
Certification
- PALS Certification
- ACLS Certification
- BLS Certification
- Compact State Nurse License
- RN License
- CPR Certification
- RN, OR, 04/01/27
- RN, TX, 04/01/27
- RN, CA, 05/01/26
Timeline
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Hays Medical Center
09.2025 - 12.2025
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Providence Seaside Hospital
05.2025 - 09.2025
Travel RN PeriOp
Aya Healthcare/Sutter Health Eden Medical Center
10.2024 - 03.2025
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
10.2023 - 04.2024
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/High Point Regional Hospital
04.2023 - 09.2023
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
08.2022 - 02.2023
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital
05.2022 - 07.2022
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Baylor Scott and White Medical Center-Round Rock
10.2021 - 04.2022
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/Hendrick Medical Center South
06.2021 - 09.2021
Travel PACU RN
Aya Healthcare/OU Health-University of Oklahoma Medical Center
03.2021 - 06.2021
Travel RN PACU and PreOp
Aya Healthcare
01.2021 - 12.2025
PACU Staff RN
Texas Health Surgery Center
07.2019 - 09.2021
Staff RN Day Surgery
Northwest Texas Healthcare System
09.2018 - 06.2019
Staff PACU RN
BSA Hospital
04.2012 - 07.2018
Staff RN, Home Health
Compassion Home Health Care
12.2008 - 07.2010
Staff RN
Lubbock Heart and Surgical Hospital
03.2008 - 12.2008
Staff RN, Cardiac Outpatient
UMC Hospital
10.2005 - 02.2008
Nursing (RN) -
Amarillo College
Nursing (LVN) -
Amarillo College