Melanie Edwards
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Empathetic professional known for strong clinical judgment and building trust with patients. Experienced in managing high-stress situations while providing exceptional patient support and education, ready to contribute to a collaborative healthcare environment.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Staff RN NurseLink Telephone Triage
University Hospital of San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
04.2015 - 01.2026
- Delivered patient care to uphold established protocols and maintain safety standards.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Oversaw patient vital sign monitoring, accurately documenting changes and liaising with healthcare providers.
- Educated patients and families on treatment options, promoting health literacy and self-management strategies.
- Mentored junior nursing staff, fostering professional development and enhancing team performance.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Provided emotional support for patients and families during difficult times, helping them navigate the healthcare system with compassion and understanding.
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments to determine urgency of medical needs.
- Utilized electronic health record systems to document patient interactions accurately.
- Educated patients on self-care strategies and follow-up care plans effectively.
- Mentored junior nurses in triage best practices and clinical decision-making processes.
- Counseled patients via telephone according to established guidelines and protocols, advising on provider-established plans of care.
- Managed high-stress situations calmly, providing reassurance to distressed callers while gathering necessary information for accurate decisionmaking.
- Ensured compliance with established clinical guidelines during telephonic assessments, promoting best practice standards throughout the organization.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current with industry best practices and enhance professional growth as a Telephone Triage Registered Nurse.
- Advised patients on pre- and post-operative instructions, medication administration and symptoms indicating emergency care.
- Reduced emergency room visits by effectively assessing and prioritizing patient needs over the phone.
- Fostered a positive work environment within the telephone triage nursing team, promoting open communication and collaboration among colleagues.
- Provided exceptional customer service to callers, establishing trust and rapport while addressing their health concerns.
- Scheduled appointments for patients not requiring emergency services but needing examination from provider and consulting directly with provider.
- Ensured patient safety by adhering to strict confidentiality protocols while handling sensitive medical information.
- Demonstrated excellent critical thinking skills when evaluating patient symptoms and determining the need for immediate intervention or further assessment.
- Obtained case history and gathered triage information to determine appropriate avenue for care.
- Increased efficiency in triage call handling through effective communication and active listening skills.
- Suggested appropriate disposition to acting physicians based on assessment.
Staff Nurse
Christus Santa Rosa Hospital
New Braunfels, TX
01.2013 - 10.2014
- Administered medications and managed IV therapies to ensure patient safety and comfort.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Monitored patient vital signs, identifying changes and responding promptly to critical situations.
- Educated patients and families on health management practices and post-discharge care instructions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TXSkills
- Condition monitoring
- Patient management
- Family education
- Clinical judgment
- Patient education
- Health screening
- EPIC EMR
- Building trust and rapport
- Charting and documentation
- EMR / EHR
- HIPAA protocol adherence
Certification
Board Certified Ambulatory Nurse
Timeline
Staff RN NurseLink Telephone Triage
University Hospital of San Antonio
04.2015 - 01.2026
Staff Nurse
Christus Santa Rosa Hospital
01.2013 - 10.2014
Associate of Science - Nursing
San Antonio College