Melinda Kay Polk
Box Elder,SD
Summary
Experienced Fixed Wing Flight Nurse with current compact nursing licensure serving patients in Nebraska and South Dakota since September of 2022. Medical/Surgical/Trauma ICU experience of 4 years from 2018 to 2022 in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Pre-hospital care with 911 system for 2 years in South Georgia from 2016 to 2018 as AEMT. Desire to continue to serve patients in flight medicine, and continued growth of knowledge and skills as a flight clinician.
Licenses: RN 205745 Georgia, ENLC, Exp. 1/2025; AEMT GA A022157; Exp. 3/2025; NREMT A2016579, Exp. 3/2025
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
10
10
Certification
Work History
Flight Nurse
Medical Air Rescue Company
09.2022 - Current
- Safeguarded patients from complications by promptly identifying potential risks associated with air transportation and applying preventive measures as needed.
- Enhanced patient care by efficiently assessing, planning, and implementing appropriate medical interventions during emergency flights.
- Demonstrated exceptional clinical judgment in determining appropriate treatment plans for a diverse range of acutely ill or injured patients
- Served as a mentor for new flight nurses, providing guidance and support during their orientation period and fostering professional growth within the team.
- Contributed to positive team dynamics within the flight crew through effective communication and collaboration during high-stakes missions.
- Maintained excellent working relationships with ground-based emergency medical service providers, facilitating smooth hand-offs at transfer points for continued patient care.
- Improved patient outcomes by collaborating with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to provide comprehensive in-flight medical care.
- Continuously updated professional knowledge and skills through regular participation in training programs, conferences, workshops, and other educational opportunities relevant to flight nursing practice.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Travel Nurse
03.2022 - 09.2022
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients.
- Supported needs of medically complex patients with skilled nursing care.
- Coordinated with healthcare staff from various disciplines to devise, carry out, and manage personalized care plans to benefit patient health and recovery.
- Implemented identified treatment plans for patients to maintain stable conditions and achieve reasonable improvements.
- Increased family involvement in patient care by providing timely updates on their loved one''s progress and addressing any concerns or questions they may have had.
- Effectively managed stressors associated with working in an intensive care setting while maintaining composure under pressure.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Southeast Health
03.2021 - 06.2021
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients.
- Facilitated smooth patient transitions from the ICU to other units by providing detailed reports and recommendations for ongoing care.
- Increased family involvement in patient care by providing timely updates on their loved one''s progress and addressing any concerns or questions they may have had.
- Effectively managed stressors associated with working in an intensive care setting while maintaining composure under pressure.
- Supported needs of medically complex patients with skilled nursing care.
- Coordinated with healthcare staff from various disciplines to devise, carry out, and manage personalized care plans to benefit patient health and recovery.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Select Specialty Hospital
02.2018 - 03.2021
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients.
- Coordinated with healthcare staff from various disciplines to devise, carry out, and manage personalized care plans to benefit patient health and recovery.
- Supported needs of medically complex patients with skilled nursing care.
- Administered medications and treatments as ordered by physician.
- Assessed and documented changes in patient's condition and prepared patient for transfer to higher level of care.
- Identified patients' current needs through careful observation, vitals monitoring and discussions with loved ones or patients.
Registered Nurse, Disaster Response Team
Response Systems Inc.
01.2018 - 02.2018
- Managed caseload of 5 to 7 patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, and wound care.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Implemented fall prevention strategies to minimize patient injuries and promote a safe environment within the medical-surgical unit.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families through active listening, empathy, and clear communication during challenging situations.
- Effectively managed acute pain symptoms by administering medications as prescribed while monitoring for potential side effects.
- Monitored patient vital signs to perform thorough condition assessments.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care, ensuring seamless communication between healthcare providers.
- Monitored hemodynamic variances to identify signs of life-threatening complications.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
Southwest Georgia Emergency Medical Services
09.2016 - 02.2018
- Assisted with lifting and moving patients.
- Participated in continuing education courses, ensuring professional development as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.
- Triaged patients in emergency situations based on life-threatening needs and delegated tasks to better provide treatment to maximum patients at once.
- Administered emergency medication to patients, quickly responding to changes in conditions and medication reactions.
- Evaluated patient histories to assess and prioritize levels of care.
- Immobilized patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport.
- Provided compassionate care to patients, addressing concerns and ensuring their comfort during transport.
- Participated in public outreach events, educating the community about emergency medical services and promoting overall public safety.
- Maintained levelheadedness and efficiency in high-pressure situations, effectively prioritizing tasks to save lives and provide medical care.
- Responded to 911 calls for medical emergencies.
- Ensured consistent inventory levels of medical equipment, managing supplies for optimal EMS response times.
- Coordinated effectively with law enforcement agencies during incidents requiring joint EMS/police involvement.
- Expedited patient transport, ensuring safe and efficient transfer to the appropriate medical facility.
- Collaborated with dispatchers to improve response times, optimizing routes for quicker access to patients in need.
- Developed strong relationships with local hospitals and healthcare providers, fostering positive working environments for seamless patient transitions.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
Grady County EMS
08.2016 - 02.2018
- Developed and maintained rapport with coworkers and local hospital staff to facilitate efficient patient care.
- Triaged patients in emergency situations based on life-threatening needs and delegated tasks to better provide treatment to maximum patients at once.
- Immobilized patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport.
- Participated in public outreach events, educating the community about emergency medical services and promoting overall public safety.
- Provided compassionate care to patients, addressing concerns and ensuring their comfort during transport.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing timely and accurate assessments in emergency situations.
- Responded to 911 calls for medical emergencies.
- Coordinated effectively with law enforcement agencies during incidents requiring joint EMS/police involvement.
- Expedited patient transport, ensuring safe and efficient transfer to the appropriate medical facility.
- Participated in continuing education courses, ensuring professional development as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.
- Assisted with lifting and moving patients.
Education
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
Southwest Georgia Technical College
Thomasville, GA08.2016
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Darton College
Albany, GA, US07.2009
High School Diploma -
Cairo High School
Cairo, GA, US06.1994
Skills
- Highly skilled professional with 19 years practical experience in hospital care including Pre-hospital Care, Intensive Care and Flight Nursing
- Competent in critically ill/emergency patient support including assessment, education regarding medications and treatments, documentation with care plan for diagnosis, and administration of treatments and procedures
- Competent in medication administration including PO, SL, IM, PR and IV routes
- Proficient in all documentation/paperwork to ensure accuracy and patient confidentiality
- Demonstrates ability to lead and motivate healthcare team to provide quality patient care
- Professional bedside manner
Certification
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Exp. 5/2024
- Basic Life Support(BLS) Exp. 5/2024
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Exp. 4/2026
- Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Exp. May 2024
- Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support Exp. 12/2024
- International Trauma Life Support Exp. 11/2024
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Exp. 5/2024
- Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) Exp. 12/2024
- Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) Exp. 7/2025
- OB Stat Exp. 1/2025
Timeline
Flight Nurse
Medical Air Rescue Company
09.2022 - Current
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Travel Nurse
03.2022 - 09.2022
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Southeast Health
03.2021 - 06.2021
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Select Specialty Hospital
02.2018 - 03.2021
Registered Nurse, Disaster Response Team
Response Systems Inc.
01.2018 - 02.2018
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
Southwest Georgia Emergency Medical Services
09.2016 - 02.2018
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
Grady County EMS
08.2016 - 02.2018
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
Southwest Georgia Technical College
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Darton College
High School Diploma -
Cairo High School
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Exp. 5/2024
- Basic Life Support(BLS) Exp. 5/2024
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Exp. 4/2026
- Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Exp. May 2024
- Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support Exp. 12/2024
- International Trauma Life Support Exp. 11/2024
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Exp. 5/2024
- Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) Exp. 12/2024
- Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) Exp. 7/2025
- OB Stat Exp. 1/2025
Similar Profiles
Joseph PederesnJoseph Pederesn
Flight Paramedic at Medical Air Rescue Company (MARC)Flight Paramedic at Medical Air Rescue Company (MARC)
Gracie Henson CFRN, CENGracie Henson CFRN, CEN
Flight Nurse at Medical Air Rescue CompanyFlight Nurse at Medical Air Rescue Company
Jason BabcockJason Babcock
Flight Nurse/Paramedic, Base Clinical Lead at Air Rescue, Global Medical ResponseFlight Nurse/Paramedic, Base Clinical Lead at Air Rescue, Global Medical Response