Hi, I’m
Melanie Beth Jacobson Schuster
Fort Worth
Summary
25+ years of expertise in training and mentoring critical care NP's. Expert in leveraging in-depth knowledge and experience in pediatric critical care to provide relevant information and first-hand experiences. Known for great personable demeanor and strong work ethic.
Demonstrates strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with proven ability to quickly adapt to new clinical skills, treatments, staffing models. Eager to contribute to team success and further develop professional skills. Brings positive attitude and commitment to continuous learning and growth.
Overview
32
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
Cook Children’s Medical Center
Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
11.1998 - Current
Job overview
- Mentored junior nurses in critical care practices, promoting best practices within the unit.
- Led initiatives to improve workflow efficiency, resulting in enhanced patient care delivery processes.
- Managed complex cases, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams for optimal patient care.
- Implemented quality improvement projects that increased adherence to safety standards and protocols.
- Performed independently and resourced others providing critical care skills, providing appropriate equipment and supplies while maintaining strict sterile technique.
- Continuously updated clinical knowledge by attending professional development courses and conferences relevant to pediatric critical care nursing.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to quickly identify potential issues or complications during emergent situations within the pediatric critical care setting.
- Mentored new staff members, fostering a supportive learning environment to ensure success in the pediatric critical care unit.
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Clinical Lecturer Skills Lab Instructor for ICU Skills Course
01.1998 - 2012
Job overview
- Delivered engaging lectures on critical care topics and theory to diverse student populations in the Pediatric Critical Care combined NP and CNS program
- Developed and implemented innovative curriculum materials aligned with learning objectives for hands on skills lab teaching ICU procedures/Skills.
Armstrong, Richards, Wagner, & Schuster Orthopedic Medicine and Surgery
Nurse Practitioner Surgical Assistant
01.2002 - 02.2004
Job overview
- Contributed to successful surgeries, anticipating surgeon needs and promptly delivering instruments.
- Streamlined communication between surgeons and nurses to promote teamwork and efficient operations.
- Protected patients from infection, preparing surgical instruments and maintaining sterile environments during orthopedic procedures. Assisted in suturing, complex wound closures
- Assisted in complex surgical procedures, contributing to successful patient outcomes with precise instrument handling.
Harborview Medical Center
ICU Nurse
09.2000 - 08.2001
Job overview
- Burn/Wounds/Adult and Pediatric ICU
- Managed medication administration, wound care, and other essential nursing tasks to maintain patient health.
- Utilized extensive nurse driven care protocols to provide autonomous management and assessment of the critical burn patient from initial resuscitation to ongoing wound care.
- Provided compassionate care for patients and their families during critical medical events.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Staff Nurse, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
01.1997 - 01.1998
Job overview
- PICU Staff RN,
- Flex Team PICU, CICU, NICU, ED
- 7/97 - 11/98
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Staff Nurse, Pediatric Critical Care Unit
01.1996 - 01.1997
University of Virginia Hospital Children’s Medical Center
Nursing Extern, Acute Care Pediatrics Medical/Surgical Unit
01.1994 - 01.1996
McGuire VA Medical Center
Cardiology Nurse Internship
01.1994
Job overview
- Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Summer 1994
Education
University of Pennsylvania, School of NursingPhiladelphia, PA
MSN from PCCNP/CNS Program: Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner/Pediatric Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Combined program
01.1998
University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA
BSN
01.1996
University Overview
- Deans’ List, Graduated with Distinction
- Oxford University, Oxford, England Summer 1995
University of PhoenixTempe, AZ
RN-First Assist, Didactic, Hands-on Training from Completed RN-FA Certification AORN
10-2002
Skills
- Lead preceptor in PICU
- PICC line procedure expertise
- Venous access proficiency
- CVL/Art lines, LP, Intubation/airway management, Pleural Drains
- Active in training and resourcing providers in PICU
- Academic writing- Editor for Critical Care Textbook "Critical Care Nursing for Infants and Children"
AWARDS
Peak Performer Award – Inaugural year 2010
APP Provider of the year- Inaugural year 2022
APP Provider Team of the year- 2024
Affiliations
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses
- American Nurses Association
- Virginia Nurses Association
- Pennsylvania Nurses Association
Certification
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Acute Care PNCB-Current
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support - Current
- CCRN-Pediatric-
- Basic Cardiac Life Support, Course - Current
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Current
- RN-First Assist Certification, AAORN 2002
- Emergency Medical Technician, Cardiac Technician, ACLS Provider ‘90-‘94
- Texas, Advance Practice Nurse, Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
- Texas, Registered Nurse
- Pennsylvania - Professional Nurse -Inactive
- Pennsylvania - CRNP, Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner-inactive
- Virginia - Registered Nurse-Inactive
- Washington – Registered Nurse-Inactive
TEACHING/PRECEPTING EXPERIENCE
- PICU Lead Preceptor for New NP’s - Primary Preceptor for new hires.
- University of Pennsylvania Pediatric Critical Care/ Acute Care Program -Primary Preceptor for the final PICU NP Practicum for 20 years- Providing the program’s most rigorous clinical site for the most advanced students.
- UT-El Paso, UTA, Texas Tech: Acute Care PNP program - Preceptor, Assoc. Professor
COMMITTEES AND CLINICAL INTERESTS
- Mock Code Committee- Assist with development of scenarios as both Education and QI process.
- Research Participant /Data Collector- Worldwide incidence of delirium in Pediatric Intensive Care Units
- Delirium Reduction Bundle in PICU- Launch/Resource/Champion set of interventions to reduce ICU Delirium.
- Inpatient/Outpatient Sepsis Alert Responses- Launch NP response to Sepsis Alerts, Early goal directed therapies sepsis
- On Campus Medical Alert Responses- Lead the NP team in providing diplomatic, timely med alert responses/ Medical interventions for patients with escalating acuity.
- Hospital Wide Code Committee- Prior Member
- Medical Education/ Grand Rounds Committee – Prior Member
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
- Pediatric Acute Care Board Exam- Item Writer/Developer of initial Board Certification Exam-2004
- Principles of Pediatric Critical Care- Textbook Contributor, Content editor
- PICU Procedures: Intubations, Chest Tubes, Lumbar Punctures, Central and Arterial Lines. Skills Lab and Lecture. University of Pennsylvania PCCNP Program. 1/02
- Post-op Care of the Spinal Fusion. What you need to expect, monitor. Presentation, Cook Children’s Medical Center. Ongoing Presentation.
- Permissive Hypercarbia, Permissive Hypoxemia: Minimizing Ventilator Induced Lung Injury. Presentation, Cook Children’s Medical Center. Ongoing presentation.
- Intubating the Asthmatic: Cardio-pulmonary interactions. Presentation. PICU Lecture Series, Cook Children’s Medical Center. Ongoing Presentation.
- Skin Care in the PICU. Presentation, PICU Lecture Series, Cook Children’s Medical Center. Ongoing presentation.
- Gastrointestinal Crises in Children: NEC, Volvulus, and Abdominal Trauma. Presentation, CCRN Review Lecture Series, Cook Children’s Medical Center, 3/02
- Recognition, Treatment, and Prevention of Fentanyl Withdrawal in Critically Ill Children. Presentation, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 3/98
- Chemotherapy and Growth Colony Stimulating Factors for Children with Cancer. Child and Family Education Pamphlets, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Emily Anderson Family Education Center, 2/97
- The Decreasing Postnatal Hospital Stay-Recognizing the need for further education and home health. Poster Presentation, The University of Virginia Hospitals Changing Practice Through Clinical Research Conference, 3/95
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation: Educating Patients about the Stem Cell Apheresis Procedure. Educational Pamphlet and Supporting Paper, The University of Virginia Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program, 4/96
- The Growing Necessity of Critical Care Skills Speech at the ICU Learning Lab Opening Ceremonies, University of Virginia School of Nursing, 10/95
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
- Boy Scouts of America, Volunteer
- Fort Worth ISD- Paschal High School Athletics, Volunteer
- Fort Worth Area Swim team, Volunteer
- Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Neonatal Transition Unit, Volunteer
Timeline
Nurse Practitioner Surgical Assistant
Armstrong, Richards, Wagner, & Schuster Orthopedic Medicine and Surgery
01.2002 - 02.2004
ICU Nurse
Harborview Medical Center
09.2000 - 08.2001
Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
Cook Children’s Medical Center
11.1998 - Current
Clinical Lecturer Skills Lab Instructor for ICU Skills Course
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
01.1998 - 2012
Staff Nurse, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
01.1997 - 01.1998
Staff Nurse, Pediatric Critical Care Unit
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
01.1996 - 01.1997
Nursing Extern, Acute Care Pediatrics Medical/Surgical Unit
University of Virginia Hospital Children’s Medical Center
01.1994 - 01.1996
Cardiology Nurse Internship
McGuire VA Medical Center
01.1994
University of Virginia
BSN
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
MSN from PCCNP/CNS Program: Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner/Pediatric Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Combined program
University of Phoenix
RN-First Assist, Didactic, Hands-on Training from Completed RN-FA Certification AORN