Melanie Chaulk
Overland Park,KS
Summary
Hardworking, reliable and experienced Registered Nurse with expertise in providing compassionate care to patients at all acuity levels. My extensive background has taught me to adapt to change, think critically and work under high pressure while remaining calm. Able to communicate effectively with medical professionals, patients and their families to meet patient outcomes and standards of care.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, Pre-OP, Pre-GI, Post-GI and PACU
Saint Luke's South Hospital
Overland Park, KS
08.2014 - Current
- 10 Bed PACU, 9 Bed GI, 16 Bed Pre-Op
- Managed patient care plans to uphold compliance with healthcare protocols and quality standards.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes and optimize care delivery.
- Provided comprehensive education to patients and families regarding treatment plans, medications, and essential post-discharge guidelines.
- Monitored vital signs and assessed patient conditions to identify changes in health status promptly.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications and pain management techniques according to physician protocols.
- Demonstrate competence in delivering care involving: patient, physician and nursing education, preparation of patients before and after invasive procedures and surgeries, mechanical ventilators, arterial lines, cardiac pacemakers, cardiac monitoring, blood glucose monitoring, twelve lead equipment, NIH stroke scale and assessment, chest tube management, Artic Sun, Bair hugger, isolation, conscious sedation, assist anesthesiologist with nerve blocks, percutaneous nerve stimulator, cardiac output monitoring, pulmonary artery catheters, rapid infuser, blood transfusions, continuous bladder irrigation, hemovac drain, Jackson-Pratt drain, wound vac, epidural management, PCA set up and management and drug titration/calculations.
Registered Nurse, PACU
Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital
Manhattan, NY
11.2018 - 02.2019
- Managed care for surgical cancer patients with the highest acuity level in their 41 bed PACU.
- Oversaw patient recovery processes during 12-week travel assignment in main PACU. Expanded role by accepting a 3-week extension to enhance team performance.
- Maintained my job at Saint Luke's South during this time. Took a leave of absence and resumed once travel assignment completed.
- Same clinical skills as Saint Luke's South.
- In addition, initiated study drug therapy/infusions, management of post-operative cancer patients from all over the world using Vocera interpreter device to translate from patient language to English.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Saint Luke's South Hospital
Overland Park, KS
08.2012 - 08.2014
- 8 Bed Intensive Care Unit
- Administered critical care interventions for patients with life-threatening conditions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement patient care plans.
- Monitored vital signs and adjusted treatment protocols based on real-time data analysis.
- Same as PACU description above. In addition, end of life care and education, management of neurological, medical and surgical intensive care patients.
- 2020 volunteered to work 4 months in the ICU amidst COVID-19 pandemic when surgeries were halted in the PACU.
Registered Nurse, Critical Care Unit
Olathe Medical Center
Olathe, KS
05.1999 - 08.2013
- 21 Bed Critical Care Unit
- Launched nursing profession as a new graduate, focusing on delivering high-quality healthcare services.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams as a clinical resource nurse on night shifts, ensuring effective patient management and resource allocation.
- Coordinated responsibilities across other hospitals in the city, while upholding a stable work status at this institution.
- Provided direct patient care in critical situations, ensuring timely interventions and support.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Monitored vital signs and assessed patient conditions, adjusting care strategies as necessary.
- Educated patients and families on treatment protocols, promoting understanding and compliance.
- Same clinical competencies as listed with other hospitals.
Registered Nurse
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Overland Park, KS
08.2010 - 08.2012
- Oversaw clinical documentation processes to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Executed detailed DRG chart audits throughout the hospital to enhance billing integrity and optimize reimbursement processes.
- Completed training and certification programs through 3M to enhance professional skills.
- Engaged with physicians to provide insights and training on effective clinical documentation techniques.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Overland Park, KS
08.2007 - 02.2012
- Level 2 Trauma Hospital
- 26 Bed Intensive Care Unit
- Demonstrate competencies in delivering care involving physician and nursing education and care.
- Clinical skills include competently managing and troubleshooting: mechanical ventilators, arterial lines, Swan-Ganz lines, cardiac output monitoring, cardiac pacemakers (permanent and temporary, blood glucose monitoring, twelve lead EKG, chest tubes, conscious sedation, Artic Sun, Bair hugger, isolation, percutaneous nerve stimulator, gastric feeding tubes and pumps, ICP monitoring PCA and epidurals, all emergency medications and IV drips, NIH assessments, blood transfusions, intra-aortic balloon pump, peritoneal dialysis and wound vac.
- Facilitated comprehensive care for patients undergoing invasive procedures and surgeries, ensuring optimal outcomes for complex, high-acuity medical, surgical, neurological, and cardiac conditions.
- Oversaw care for complex full and partial trauma patients, ensuring comprehensive treatment plans.
- Oversaw care for immediate post-operative open heart patients.
- Mentored newly hired staff and junior nurses in advanced techniques and best practices in intensive care.
- Led quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and procedural compliance.
- Utilized electronic health record systems for accurate documentation and data retrieval.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify changes in patient conditions promptly.
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients.
- Fostered caring, compassionate and respectful care environment by treating every patient with professionalism.
Registered Nurse, House Supervisor
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Overland Park, KS
03.2009 - 05.2010
- 343 Bed Acute Care, Level 2 Trauma Hospital
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure adherence to hospital policies and procedures.
- Coordinated patient care activities across multiple departments for optimal outcomes.
- Led daily shift meetings to discuss patient needs and staffing assignments.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and satisfaction.
- Engaged with hospital administrators and physicians to facilitate effective communication and coordination of patient management.
- Assisted bed board staff in coordinating patient admissions and discharges effectively.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Kansas University
Lawrence, KS05.1999
Skills
- ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- BLS: Basic Life Support
- PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Registered Nurse Licensed in Kansas
Timeline
Registered Nurse, PACU
Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital
11.2018 - 02.2019
Registered Nurse, Pre-OP, Pre-GI, Post-GI and PACU
Saint Luke's South Hospital
08.2014 - Current
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Saint Luke's South Hospital
08.2012 - 08.2014
Registered Nurse
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
08.2010 - 08.2012
Registered Nurse, House Supervisor
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
03.2009 - 05.2010
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
08.2007 - 02.2012
Registered Nurse, Critical Care Unit
Olathe Medical Center
05.1999 - 08.2013
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Kansas University
Achievements
- January 2022-Present: Co-Lead Malignant Hyperthermia Saint Luke's Health System Task Force
- 2016: Saint Luke's South Hospital Angel Award
- 1999: Olathe Medical Center: Developed Hospital Wide Skin Assessment Tool and Assisted With Hospital Protocol Implementation