Melissa Buggage
Auburn ,GA
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse with 20 years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments. Specialize in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, Peritoneal Dialysis
DaVita
12.2018 - Current
- Provide education to patients and their caregivers in a clinical setting, which allow them to dialyze at home.
- Manage patient care from admission to discharge.
- Work independently, while building relationships with patients, support systems and care partners.
- Apply nursing skills to assess, diagnose and implement complete care plans.
- Provide comprehensive patient care in an independent setting.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Collect blood, peritoneal fluid and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
Registered Nurse, Acute Dialysis
Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis
06.2010 - 10.2023
- Performs ongoing, systematic collection and analysis of patient data pre - during - post treatment for assigned patients and documents in the patient medical record, adjusts or modifies the treatment plan as indicated and notifies inpatient program manager, appropriately credentialed physician, patient's primary nurse and others as may be indicated.
- Explain dialysis procedures and hemodialysis machine operation to patients prior to treatment.
- Set up and operated dialysis machines for patients receiving treatment for kidney failure.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Performed routine quality control and safety checks on all equipment.
- Cleaned and connected fistulas, grafts, and catheters to prevent infection.
- Started and ended reverse osmosis water systems and completed water quality monitoring tests.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Followed directions when mixing dialysate and priming dialyzer with saline or heparinized solutions.
- Measured and recorded patients' pre-dialysis and post-dialysis vital statistics.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
Home Health Nurse
Southeast Louisiana Home Health
08.2013 - 05.2018
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, medication safety, and at-home healthcare strategies to promote selfcare.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors, and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising nurse.
- Contributed to the overall success of the home health agency by maintaining high levels of patient satisfaction and positive outcomes.
- Provided physical assessments, medication, and chronic disease management to home health patients.
- Delivered high-quality in-home nursing services, maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for patients.
- Coordinated with other healthcare team members to support patient needs.
- Determined and addresses individual home care needs by completing detailed assessments and reviewing documentation.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
Hospice Registered Nurse Case Manager
Guardian Angel Hospice
11.2015 - 03.2017
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families during the end-of-life process, promoting dignity and comfort.
- Collaborated with physicians to optimize medication regimens for symptom control in terminally ill patients.
- Improved patient care by developing and implementing comprehensive hospice nursing plans tailored to individual needs.
- Managed complex caseloads effectively, prioritizing tasks based on patient acuity levels.
- Served as a liaison between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure seamless delivery of hospice services.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient interactions, assessments, interventions, and responses to care.
- Educated patients and families about illness progression, treatment options, and available resources for additional support.
- Ensured timely delivery of medical treatments for optimal symptom management while maintaining a high level of compassion.
RN Weekend Supervisor
Chateau Living Center
04.2007 - 07.2011
- Assumed the role of Director of Nursing and Administrator on the weekend by supervising all staff including nursing, housekeeping and dietary.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ12-2025
Associate of Science - Nursing
Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA05.2009
Certificate - Practical Nursing
Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA06.2003
High School Diploma -
Bonnabel High School
05.1994
Skills
- Peritoneal Dialysis
- Patient Training
- Blood Product Transfusion
- Accurate Documentation
- EMR Systems
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Delegation and Motivation
- Patient Care Assessment
- Care planning
- Medication and IV administration
- Patient assessment
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Peritoneal Dialysis
DaVita
12.2018 - Current
Hospice Registered Nurse Case Manager
Guardian Angel Hospice
11.2015 - 03.2017
Home Health Nurse
Southeast Louisiana Home Health
08.2013 - 05.2018
Registered Nurse, Acute Dialysis
Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis
06.2010 - 10.2023
RN Weekend Supervisor
Chateau Living Center
04.2007 - 07.2011
Certificate - Practical Nursing
Delgado Community College
High School Diploma -
Bonnabel High School
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Grand Canyon University
Associate of Science - Nursing
Delgado Community College
Similar Profiles
Shakira RobinsonShakira Robinson
Administrative Assistant at DavitaAdministrative Assistant at Davita
Maria MendozaMaria Mendoza
ICHD LVN at DaVitaICHD LVN at DaVita
Yasmani DuranYasmani Duran
Inventory Specialist at DavitaInventory Specialist at Davita
Usaamah KhanUsaamah Khan
Patient Care Technician at DaVitaPatient Care Technician at DaVita
Joi GeorgeJoi George
SALES SUPPORT SPECIALIST at Argos USA LLCSALES SUPPORT SPECIALIST at Argos USA LLC