Open To Work
Melanie Nava
Elmhurst,IL
Work Preference
Summary
Experienced Registered Nurse with 13 years in acute care, specializing in complex postoperative care, telemetry monitoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Delivered compassionate patient education and managed critical interventions in a high-acuity thoracic step-down unit. Aiming to apply clinical expertise in a remote nursing role centered on care coordination and patient advocacy.
Overview
1
1
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Advocate Christ Medical Center
Oak Lawn, Illinois
09.2024 - Current
- Provide comprehensive nursing care for high-acuity thoracic, trauma, vascular, and postoperative patients.
- Managed high-acuity patients requiring telemetry monitoring, tracheostomies, chest tubes, feeding tubes, PCA pumps, PICC lines, central lines, and wound care.
- Care for patients recovering from lung resections, esophagectomies, thoracic surgeries, and other complex surgical procedures.
- Perform comprehensive nursing assessments while recognizing and responding to early signs of patient deterioration.
- Administer IV medications, antibiotics, anticoagulants, blood products, insulin, pain management therapies, and other complex medication regimens.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team including surgeons, hospitalists, respiratory therapists, and case management.
- Educate patients and families regarding disease processes, medications, postoperative recovery, and discharge planning.
- Documented patient care using Epic EMR, ensuring compliance with hospital policies and regulatory standards for quality assurance.
- Prioritized care for multiple medically complex patients in a fast-paced Level I Trauma Center.
Student Nurse Extern
Loyola Medical Center
Maywood, Illinois
04.2022 - 05.2024
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive care for critically ill and trauma patients, enhancing patient outcomes.
- Assisted nurses and physicians during emergency procedures, trauma admissions, CPR, intubations, extubations, and Massive Transfusion Protocols to ensure timely and effective patient care.
- Provided direct patient care throughout Surgical Trauma, Burn ICU, MICU, CVICU, Neurology ICU, Emergency Department, Oncology, Observation, and Medical-Surgical units.
- Performed ECGs, tracheostomy care, dressing changes, specimen collection, IV setup, wound cultures, and patient transport.
- Assisted patients with mobility, hygiene, and activities of daily living while maintaining patient safety.
Medical Assistant
Oak Street Health
Chicago, Illinois
01.2016 - 04.2022
- Coordinated patient care through medication reconciliation, vital signs acquisition, vaccination administration, laboratory testing, phlebotomy, EKGs, and spirometry to ensure comprehensive patient assessment.
- Assisted providers in delivering preventive care to medically complex adult patients.
- Scheduled referrals and coordinated specialty care while educating patients on treatment plans to enhance their understanding and adherence to care.
- Maintained accurate medical records in Greenway EMR, contributing to quality improvement initiatives and ensuring compliance with healthcare standards.
Medical Assistant
Access Community Health Network
Chicago, Illinois
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Supervised Medical Assistants and coordinated daily clinic operations across OB/GYN, internal medicine, cardiology, and pediatrics to ensure efficient patient care.
- Performed phlebotomy, medication administration, vaccinations, and patient education.
- Managed referrals, provider schedules, staffing assignments, and inventory to streamline clinic workflow.
- Trained new employees on procedures and ensured compliance with OSHA, HIPAA, and regulatory standards to maintain a safe environment.
- Acted as Epic Super User and supported the implementation of new clinical workflows.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University
Chicago, IL01-2024
Certification - Certified Medical Assistant
Everest College
Chicago, IL11-2010
Skills
Patient Care
- Trauma & Surgical Nursing
- Thoracic Surgery Recovery
- Postoperative Care
- Telemetry Monitoring
- Chest Tube Management
- Tracheostomy Care
- Wound Care
- Foley Catheters
- Feeding Tubes
- PCA Pumps
IV Therapy
- PICC Line Care
- Central Line Care
- Peripheral IV Insertion
- Blood Product Administration
- Pain Management
- Pressure Injury Prevention
- Patient & Family Education
- Discharge Planning
- Care Coordination
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Critical Thinking
- Epic EMR
- Microsoft Office
- Word
- Excel
- Outlook
- Procedures
Languages
Spanish
Professional
Certification
- Registered Nurse – Illinois
ACLS – American Heart Association
Certified Medical Assistant
AORN Introduction to Perioperative Care
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Advocate Christ Medical Center
09.2024 - Current
Student Nurse Extern
Loyola Medical Center
04.2022 - 05.2024
Medical Assistant
Oak Street Health
01.2016 - 04.2022
Medical Assistant
Access Community Health Network
01.2011 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University
Certification - Certified Medical Assistant
Everest College