Mackenzie Gunn
Whitsett
Summary
Dedicated Registered Nurse with over 8 years of experience in prestigious tertiary academic medical centers, specializing in patient logistics, inter-hospital transfers, capacity management, and acute care nursing across various settings including med/surg, intermediate, procedural, and surgical services. Proven ability to apply critical thinking skills and coordinate complex care while maintaining a strong focus on collaborative, patient-centered practices. Recognized for delivering high-quality care through effective teamwork with medical professionals and a commitment to adapting to the evolving needs of patients. Expertise in patient assessment and medication administration is complemented by a compassionate approach and unwavering reliability.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN, Transfer Specialist
UNC Health Capacity Command Center West – UNC Medical Center
10.2024 - Current
- Coordinate complex inter-hospital transfers to ensure continuity of care, patient safety, and cost-effective utilization of resources.
- Perform clinical appropriateness and medical necessity reviews using established criteria and departmental guidelines.
- Triage and manage incoming transfer requests, facilitating provider-to-provider communication and multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Support hospital-wide capacity planning by identifying throughput barriers, escalating capacity constraints, and assisting with problem-solving strategies.
- Coordinate logistics with referring, receiving, and transport teams, including level of care, unit placement, and provider assignment.
- Maintain accurate, compliant documentation and identify avoidable delays while adhering to privacy and regulatory standards.
- Implemented patient care protocols to ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary team meetings to enhance communication and streamline patient care processes.
RN, Flex Team – Med/Surg & Stepdown
Cone Health
08.2023 - 10.2024
- Provide comprehensive nursing care across multiple inpatient units using the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care.
- Deliver age-appropriate, individualized patient care while maintaining clear communication with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.
- Contribute to discharge planning and identification of post-acute care needs.
- Support evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and adherence to regulatory and organizational standards.
- Delegate tasks appropriately, provide feedback to support staff, and foster a professional, respectful work environment.
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols and patient care plans.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement effective patient care strategies.
RN, Patient Access Coordinator – System Patient Logistics
UNC Medical Center
10.2020 - 05.2023
- Coordinated inter-hospital transfers and patient placement to optimize system-wide patient flow and capacity utilization.
- Conducted transfer triage, clinical appropriateness reviews, and facilitated provider consultations per established protocols.
- Collaborated with clinical teams to determine appropriate level of care, unit assignment, and patient classification.
- Identified care concerns and escalated issues impacting patient safety or operational efficiency.
- Ensured timely, accurate documentation and compliance with HIPAA and institutional policies.
RN, Clinical Nurse II – Vascular Interventional Radiology
UNC Medical Center
09.2019 - 09.2019
- Prepared patients for interventional radiology procedures including IV access, labs, consents, and pre-procedure medications.
- Provided post-procedure recovery care, monitoring vital signs, neurological status, and access sites following moderate sedation or general anesthesia.
- Assisted with a wide range of procedures including thrombectomy, embolization, stent placement, biopsies, drain placements, and catheter insertions.
- Delivered patient and family education on post-procedure care and signs of complications.
RN, Clinical Nurse II – Intermediate Surgical Care Unit
UNC Medical Center
02.2017 - 09.2019
- Delivered acute postoperative and medical-surgical care including medication administration, wound and chest tube management, and complex monitoring.
- Served as Charge Nurse, coordinating unit flow, managing staffing based on acuity, and promoting a culture of safety.
- Managed advanced therapies including blood products, central lines, BiPAP/CPAP, ventilators, lumbar drains, and select continuous infusions.
- Supported infection prevention audits and quality initiatives.
- Cared for diverse service lines including neurosurgery, trauma, transplant, oncology, orthopedics, and thoracic surgery.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC12.2016
Skills
- Documentation and charting
- Strong clinical judgment
- EMR systems
- Complex Problem-solving
- Relationship building
- High level of autonomy
Certification
- Registered Nurse, State of North Carolina (License #292285)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
Timeline
RN, Transfer Specialist
UNC Health Capacity Command Center West – UNC Medical Center
10.2024 - Current
RN, Flex Team – Med/Surg & Stepdown
Cone Health
08.2023 - 10.2024
RN, Patient Access Coordinator – System Patient Logistics
UNC Medical Center
10.2020 - 05.2023
RN, Clinical Nurse II – Vascular Interventional Radiology
UNC Medical Center
09.2019 - 09.2019
RN, Clinical Nurse II – Intermediate Surgical Care Unit
UNC Medical Center
02.2017 - 09.2019
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of North Carolina Wilmington