Melinda Pyles

• At Advent Health I have worked on the neuro PCU unit for 6 years, caring for patients with strokes, MI's, sepsis, post-surgical care and much more. The PCU patients I admitted and cared for require frequent monitoring and assessment. I manage complicated cases such as IV drip medications such as Insulin, Amiodarone, and Cardizem, CBI irrigation for foley catheters, and newly inserted chest tubes. I transferred in 12/2024 to work on an oncology PCU unit, which has introduced me to a more focused care plan for patients with cancer or history of cancer. I am enjoying learning about this whole new world of patient care. I have also floated to ER, med/surg, other PCU units, and ortho/surgical floors many times over the years. Proper communication with staff and doctors is key to providing safe and efficient care, no matter what area of nursing you work in.

• As a local travel nurse, my job required me to work shifts at numerous HCA facilities within the west coast district of Florida. I worked multiple units such as cardiac, step-down PCU, post-surgical, and ortho. By doing this, I was able to broaden my knowledge of different protocols and procedures encouraged by other hospitals. I gained a new sense of independence and confidence as a nurse.

• I began my career as a CNA at this facility in 2013 and worked here during my attendance to Nursing school. My home floor was a 50-bed Telemetry unit. My responsibilities included ensuring patient safety, performing ADL's for patient, administration of medication, communication with doctors, enhancing my skill set with tasks such as insertion of Foley catheters and IV's. I worked here up until 2018, then broadened my experience by working as a Travel nurse, then at Advent Wesley Chapel.

This position was my third job as CNA. At times i would have up to 25 patients, which could be very challenging in a hospital setting. I was able to provide high-quality personal care services such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and feeding. I assisted patients with daily living activities for enhanced comfort and wellbeing, Reduced fall incidents by implementing safety measures like bed alarms, frequent rounding and addressing patients needs. D/C foleys, IV's, enemas, daily weights, prepping for procedures, changing ostomy bags, and other wound care were all apart of my job description as well. It was vital to communicate with the nurses and other staff members to ensure the patients were receiving the proper and safest care.

This was my first CNA job inside a hospital in which the patient care was very differently focused than in a Nursing home rehabilitation. Thankfully my Skills from Evergreen woods taught me how to build a relationship with patients and families, providing emotional support during difficult times. Also performing my ADLS's came easily to me. What I learned was the more hospital driven care such as monitoring and recording vital signs, fluid intake, and output, participating in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient progress and plan of care for patient.

At Evergreen woods this was my first CNA job ever! I had just graduated high school in 2010, and was able to earn my CNA certification during my senior year. I believe this was the perfect first position as CNA. Being 18 years old, I was able to see and learn about the other end of life, being elderly, unable to care for yourself, in a place that is not your true home. This taught me compassion, how to build relationships and trust with my patients. We had assigned halls, which did change frequently, aided in the dining room, helped patients that were feeds, bathe, ADL's, transfer patients safely to and from bed, were all daily responsibilities of mine. There was also the rehabilitation side of the facility. This care required a different focus, since these patients were on the road to recovery and going home. I am thankful I was able to experience this as my very first job in healthcare!