Melisa De Jesus
San Angelo
Summary
Experienced professional with 17 years in clinical knowledge, strong interpersonal skills, and technical expertise. Organized and dependable, excels at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Hardworking team player dedicated to optimizing patient care and support.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Orlando VA Medical Center
01.2023 - 06.2024
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, PEG/NGT and intramuscular injections safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Member of the Unit Peer Council where in issues in the unit are identified, discussed and solutions are created for unit improvement.
- Member of the Fall Committee. Monitors fall rates in the unit, educates staff on fall prevention, post-fall huddle discussion implemented in the unit, facilitates fall preventive measures in order to reduce the risk of patient injury such a using the 4 P's rounding (Pain, Position, Potty, Possessions).
RN
VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System
11.2016 - 12.2022
- Performed direct patient care to veterans in a 24-bed multidisciplinary Med-Telemetry Unit while serving as an advocate for patients, preceptor, and charge nurse
- Demonstrated leadership by serving as advocate for patients, role model and team player to colleagues
- Performed Charge nurse duties
- Mentor and coach new staff
- Unit Representative for Patient Safety Committee
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Champion
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses
- Competent with PICC and central line care, Blood transfusion, Jackson-pratt drain care, urostomy care, colostomy care, chest tubes, NGT tubes, feeding tubes, wound care, blood sugar monitoring, PCA patient-controlled analgesia pump, Heparin drip
- Provided patient and family health education teaching and focus on self-management, prevention, and wellness according to patient's goals
- Temporarily detailed as an RN Care Manager at Southwest VA Primary Care clinic to assist with supervisory coverage from July 2019 through November 2019
- Coordinated order placement and delivery of clinical and community services, including home health, DME and other community resources
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
RN
Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital
01.2015 - 11.2016
- Provided direct care to veterans in a 24-bed multidisciplinary Medicine Unit 5A.
- Assessed veteran's conditions and nursing needs using nursing process and standards of care defined by American Nurses Association
- Met regularly with Leadership to determine any changes in staffing based on changes to patient's acuity and/or workload
- Monitored patient's vital signs including heart rate and rhythm with EKG, telemetry monitoring
- Unit Representative for Hand hygiene and Infection Control committee
- Performed hand hygiene and isolation audits on unit
- Unit Representative for Team Player Awards Committee
- Worked with Case Managers, Social workers and providers for appropriateness of admission and discussed possible issues with discharge
- Competent with PICC and central line care, Jackson-pratt drain, urostomy care, colostomy care, chest tubes, NGT tubes, feeding tubes, wound care, blood sugar monitoring, PCA patient-controlled analgesia pump, Heparin drip.
Registered Nurse
Christus Santa Rosa Hospital
06.2010 - 03.2015
- Primarily responsible for monitoring the patient’s condition and assessing their needs providing the best possible care and observing and interpreting the patient’s symptoms and communicating them to physician
- Provided specialized nursing care to cardiac and intermediate care patients according to standards of care defined by American Nurses Association and by utilizing nursing process
- Provided care to post heart catheterization
- Monitored patient's vital signs including heart rate and rhythm with EKG, telemetry monitoring
- Monitored laboratory values in accordance to patient's current situation
- Competent with Jackson-pratt drain, urostomy care, colostomy care, chest tubes, NGT tubes, feeding tubes, wound care, blood sugar monitoring, PCA patient-controlled analgesia pump
- Provided nursing care to oncology patients according to Hospital Policies and standards of care defined by American Nurses Association and by utilizing nursing process
- Provided care to I-131 Radiation patients and 1:1 patient care on Interleukin-2 therapy
- Administered chemotherapy to phase (1) clinical trial patients
- Provided comfort care to hospice patients as well as their families
- Proficient in medication administration, transfusion of blood products, accessed central lines, performed central line dressing change, and maintained central line and PICC line care
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes and treatment implementations
- Managed JP drains and chest, nasogastric, G-tube and peg tubes.
Charge Nurse
Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital
04.2007 - 10.2010
- Primarily responsible for clinical and administrative decisions during the off tours and facilitating patient movement and transfers between units, hospital admissions, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on the patient’s quality of care on the unit
- Assesses nursing units for staffing issues and provides staff as needed to safely meet the demands of patient care
- Coordinates daily staffing by effectively anticipating scheduling needs in conjunction with the House Supervisors, Nurse Managers and Charge Nurses on all designated nursing services
- Managed assigned units independently and provided supervision to nursing and technical staff ensuring safe, efficient and quality patient care
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes and treatment implementations
- Administered medications and treatments to patients as ordered by physician, maintaining accountability for accurate narcotic count at end of each shift.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Texas Health Science Center
05.2006
Skills
- Intake and Discharge
- Patient Management
- Patient Assessment
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Vitals Monitoring
- Cardiac Monitors
- Direct patient care
- Medication and IV, IM, SQ Administration
- Infection Control Measure
- Wound Care
- Professional bedside manner
Certification
- CPR BLS-current
Honors And Awards
- Team player of the Quarter, 2023
- Certificate of Excellence, 2021
- Certificate of Appreciation, 2020
- Nursing Achievement Award, 2006
- University of Texas Health Science Center, Nursing Alumni Advisory Council, 2003
- Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, 2003
Additional Information
LICENSURE
Texas RN 735779- 12/07/2006 to 09/30/2026
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Orlando VA Medical Center
01.2023 - 06.2024
RN
VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System
11.2016 - 12.2022
RN
Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital
01.2015 - 11.2016
Registered Nurse
Christus Santa Rosa Hospital
06.2010 - 03.2015
Charge Nurse
Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital
04.2007 - 10.2010
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Texas Health Science Center
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