Melissa Baumgardner, APRN, FNP-C

I own and operated a private practice which includes all duties and responsibilities associated with the management of the practice and patients. t

• Performed patient physicals and compared and contrasted results with established medical records to provide proper diagnosis and facilitate appropriate treatment.
• Teamed with physicians to provide comprehensive patient care, referrals and high-risk management strategies.
• Assessed and treated STDs in both males and females.
• Provided medical services and care to patients with chronic and acute conditions.
• Provided preventive care such as well-child checks, adult physicals and gynecological examinations.
• Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
• Coordinated referrals for specialty services and additional care.
• Prescribed appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
• Discussed care plans with patients and explained test results and proper use of medications.
• Conducted screenings, diagnostic treatment and rehabilitative services on primary health care team.
• Educated patients about reproductive health issues and dispensed contraceptives.

• Diagnosed and treated patients with complex chronic and acute health problems including diabetes, hypertension, depression, hypothyroidism, COPD, asthma, pneumonia, allergies, and acute injuries
• Prescribed non-scheduled medications, ordered and interpreted labs, and referred to specialty care providers as needed
• Offered preventive services such as breast, colon, and lung cancer screening. Performed women's wellness exams including family planning , osteoporosis screening, and evaluation and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
• Performed annual wellness exams including Medicare annual wellness visits; experienced with Medicare guidelines and use of CGS reports to guide wellness planning
• Managed pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of various disorders and diseases
• Built trust and rapport with patients by listening to concerns, advocating for wellness and educating on acute and chronic health issues
• Kept abreast of advances in medicine, computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment, data processing technology, imaging advances, government regulations, and health insurance changes
• Experienced caring for culturally diverse populations including members of the LGBTQ community
• Provided comprehensive, home-based primary care services to home-bound patients
• Proficient in charting patient notes, ordering labs, and escribing in Eclinicalworks
• Coordinated referrals for specialty services and additional care

• Antepartum care of high-risk patients with complex disease processes including gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, pyelonephritis, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, hyperemesis of pregnancy, and hypercoagulation
• Enhanced nurse satisfaction and retention, collaborating with leadership to devise initiatives for improving staff morale
• Worked with unit leaders to identify nurse education needs and motivated nursing staff to pursue advanced training and degrees
• Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, including treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care
• Ensured efficacy of treatments through monitoring of treatment regimens
• Provided skilled emergency response in critical situations
• Documented concerns for physicians to review in advance
• Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing and interpreted results to diagnose patients
• Counseled and educated patients about reproductive health issues and wellness. Expertise in STDs, HIV and family planning

• Labor Support (emotional and physical support for laboring patients) Primary RN Instructor: Taught labor RNs and support staff methods of providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support for laboring patients
• Unit based decision council - reviewed and recommended evidence-based practice policy updates and implementation
• Interdepartmental Collaboration Council: ER and L&D, collaborated with ER leadership and Chaplain services to provide appropriate and compassionate care to all pregnant patients seen in hospital
• Helped develop algorithm to standardize and improve communication practices between ER and L&D departments which aims to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction
• Responded to patient emergencies, including all emergency cesarean sections, hysterectomies, maternal hemorrhages, and maternal and neonatal codes
• Provided assistance with maternal and fetal care of miscarriages over 12 weeks gestation
• Collaborated with doctors and staff members to ensure quality care
• Ensured top-level care by focusing on patient safety and dignity
• Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations
• Liaised between patients and physicians to ensure patient comprehension of treatment plans
• Established staff schedules and assignments based on facility needs and equipment availability
• Oversaw delivery of care for all patients on 30-bed inpatient obstetrics unit, providing direct care to up to 3 patients when delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians and unit clerks
• Worked with unit managers to identify nurse education needs and motivated nursing staff to pursue advanced training and degrees
• Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and compliance to best practices
• Enhanced nurse satisfaction and retention, collaborating with leadership to devise initiatives for improving staff morale
• Coordinated and participated in March of Dimes fund raising activities

• Provided complete nursing care for pregnant and postpartum patients including triage, labor, and postpartum care
• Triage duties included assessment and determination of labor or emergent status, communicating findings and suggestions for treatment to OB providers
• Labor experience includes providing total nursing care for patients during labor, delivery and recovery
• Care included, continuous fetal monitoring, intrauterine resuscitation, IV catheter insertion, management of IV fluids and medications, phlebotomy, administration and titration of high-risk medications; continuous fetal monitoring; intrauterine resuscitation; assist with epidural placement and management; circulating cesarean-sections; monitoring fluid balance; provide coaching during pushing phase; immediate care of newborn, neonatal resuscitation, and maternal recovery
• Responded to patient emergencies, including all emergent cesarean sections, hysterectomies, maternal hemorrhages, and maternal and neonatal codes
• Precepted new nurses to the L&D unit, educating new hires on policies, procedures and nursing best practices
• Served in relief charge role

• Accurately recorded and reported test results according to established procedures
• Skillfully performed suture and staple removal from post cesarean section patients
• Inserted and discontinued indwelling urinary catheters
• Inserted and removed IV catheters
• Provided patient education
• Assisted with breast feeding
• Transported patients to and from different departments
• Took vital signs of newborns while assisting in NICU
• Prepared initial patient charts for admission
• Monitored test accuracy using quality controls
• Measured patient pulse oximetry
• Prepared blood, urine, stool and sputum lab specimens for diagnostic evaluation
• Entered patient, procedure and equipment into computer system
• Conducted machine safety checks according to facility policy
• Ambulated, turned and positioned patients
• Submitted prescriptions to pharmacy via phone, fax or web
• Report significant information and changes in patient condition to nurse supervisor
• Explained procedures to patients to reduce anxieties and increase patient cooperation
• Tested and recorded blood glucose levels

• Assisted patients with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, oral care, feeding, toileting, ambulation)
• Monitored fluid outputs, documented results and collected specimens for testing
• Gathered and documented patient vital signs
• Transported patients between rooms and appointments or testing locations
• Answered call lights and aided in patient comfort and safety by adjusting beds, lights, bed rails, pillows, patients’ clothing and bedside tables/equipment
• Turned and positioned patients to maintain comfort and minimize problems
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to provide high-quality support to patients
• Took advantage of opportunities for continuing education, quality assurance and performance improvement activities
• Performed clerical duties, such as word processing, data entry, answering phones and filing