Melissa Christensen
LPN
Hattiesburg,MS
Summary
Compassionate LPN with extensive experience at Collins Veterans Home, excelling in geriatric care and medication administration. Proven track record of enhancing patient satisfaction through effective communication and individualized care plans. Skilled in wound care and clinical documentation, consistently improving patient outcomes while fostering a supportive team environment.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
LPN
Ellisville State School
02.2020 - Current
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team of healthcare and social service providers to address patients' needs through effective intervention and care planning.
- Demonstrated excellent technical skills in wound dressing changes, IV therapy administration, catheter insertion, and other routine nursing procedures.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns, and medically relevant symptoms.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers, and discharges.
- Improved patient outcomes by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting relevant information.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs, and performed catheterizations.
- Adapted quickly to changing patient needs, adjusting care plans accordingly to ensure optimal outcomes in diverse clinical scenarios.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork through active participation in unit meetings, performance improvement initiatives, and collaborative problem-solving efforts.
- Obtained patient vital signs and input/output measurements from inpatients.
- Delivered updates in patient status to charge nurse, recording changes in medical records.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Maintained a safe and therapeutic environment for patients through effective risk assessment and crisis intervention strategies.
- Educated patients and families on health promotion, disease prevention, and self-care management strategies.
- Managed time-sensitive tasks effectively under pressure while maintaining composure during critical situations or emergencies.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Mentored new nursing staff to enhance professional development opportunities within the team dynamic.
- Facilitated efficient communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to promote continuity of care across settings.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing, and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Delivered culturally competent care that respected diverse patient populations'' unique values, beliefs, and traditions.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by consistently delivering high-quality nursing care tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Enhanced patient care by performing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
- Streamlined nursing processes by implementing evidence-based practices that improved clinical workflow efficiency.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure continuous quality improvement in patient care delivery.
- Contributed to organizational success by participating in accreditation surveys, quality assurance programs, and ongoing staff education activities.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Provided compassionate palliative care for terminally ill patients while supporting their emotional needs during end-of-life stages.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic testing and procedural support for optimal treatment decisions.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by providing thorough discharge planning and follow-up care coordination.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by adhering to infection control protocols and maintaining accurate documentation of patient data.
- Answered incoming phone calls from patients to provide basic assistance and triage medical concerns.
- Assisted in management of patient flow in busy settings, reducing wait times and improving efficiency.
- Advocated for patients' needs and preferences with healthcare providers, fostering patient-centered care.
- Coordinated with pharmacy staff to ensure accurate medication dispensing, minimizing errors.
- Participated in community health programs, extending care beyond clinical setting and improving public health awareness.
- Administered medications to ensure adherence to treatment plans, improving health outcomes.
- Supported patients and families through education on home care procedures, enhancing post-discharge outcomes.
- Assisted in minor surgical procedures, enhancing patient comfort and supporting surgical team efficiency.
- Conducted regular patient assessments to identify changes in health status, enabling timely interventions.
- Led training sessions for new LPNs and nursing assistants, improving team competency and patient care standards.
- Implemented infection control protocols, significantly reducing incidence of hospital-acquired infections.
- Maintained meticulous records of patient care, treatments, and progress, ensuring continuity of care.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Helped patients complete bathing, dressing and eating.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Coordinated patient transfers to other facilities.
- Clearly and thoroughly explained diagnoses, treatment options and procedures to patients and loved ones, checking in to verify understanding.
- Circulated assigned floor to measure and record patients' fluid and food levels, implementing measures to promote healthy intake and output as necessary.
LPN Charge Nurse
Collins Veterans Home
2019 - 02.2020
- Managed daily staff assignments and patient scheduling to guarantee clinic coverage and flow.
- Improved infection control measures by closely monitoring staff adherence to proper hand hygiene protocols.
- Evaluated staff performance through regular assessments, identifying areas for improvement and facilitating professional development opportunities.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by implementing effective discharge planning strategies and providing thorough patient education.
- Promoted continuity of care by thoroughly documenting shift-to-shift communication in nursing reports.
- Updated patient medical records with services provided, health conditions, and response to treatments using Software.
- Managed complex wound care cases, applying advanced knowledge of wound healing principles to achieve optimal results.
- Developed strong relationships with patients'' families, keeping them informed of progress reports and collaborating on decisions regarding their loved ones'' healthcare plans.
- Documented vitals and medical histories in patient charts when assessing patients and communicated patient information to physicians and other nurses for care continuity.
- Coordinated timely admissions, transfers, and discharges for efficient bed utilization within the nursing unit.
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care, supporting patients and their families through difficult times.
- Assembled and used equipment such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers to effectively manage patient care.
- Served as a mentor to new nurses, fostering a positive work environment and promoting professional growth.
- Served as charge nurse, caring for patients with serious illnesses.
- Delivered direct quality care to patients by evaluating medical conditions and managing and assessing treatments.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to make sound clinical decisions in high-pressure situations, minimizing risks and ensuring patient safety.
- Maintained accurate medical records in accordance with established protocols, ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information at all times.
- Monitored patient health conditions to report changes to assigned physician.
- Delivered emotional support to patients and families during challenging times.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Helped long-term care residents with bathing, dressing, feeding, and other daily living activities.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Coordinated patient transfers to other facilities.
- Circulated assigned floor to measure and record patients' fluid and food levels, implementing measures to promote healthy intake and output as necessary.
LPN Charge Nurse
Texas A&M University
05.2011 - 2015
- Enhanced patient care by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
- Enhanced staff morale by fostering a supportive work environment, recognizing outstanding performance, and addressing concerns effectively.
- Conducted regular staff trainings to ensure competence in clinical skills, improving overall quality of care on the unit.
- Implemented evidence-based nursing practices to improve patient health and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by consistently providing exceptional customer service and addressing concerns promptly.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for improved accuracy, reducing medication errors and ensuring patient safety.
- Promoted patient independence by teaching self-care skills and explaining conditions and medications.
- Analyzed patient assessments and laboratory data to bring any issues to attention of physicians.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to optimize patient outcomes and deliver high-quality care.
- Assisted physicians during procedures, demonstrating strong clinical knowledge and attention to detail for successful outcomes.
- Supported diagnoses by taking blood samples from patients for laboratory testing.
- Provided patient education on health care issues and prescribed medications.
- Provided diagnosis information, treatment possibilities, disease management tips and wound care advice to patients, loved ones and caregivers.
- Protected patients and healthcare team members from infection by sterilizing equipment and reusable supplies.
- Managed various general office duties such as answering multiple telephone lines, completing insurance forms, and mailing monthly invoice statements to patients.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Clearly and thoroughly explained diagnoses, treatment options and procedures to patients and loved ones, checking in to verify understanding.
- Updated patient medical records with services provided, health conditions, and response to treatments using Software.
- Managed complex wound care cases, applying advanced knowledge of wound healing principles to achieve optimal results.
- Documented vitals and medical histories in patient charts when assessing patients and communicated patient information to physicians and other nurses for care continuity.
- Assembled and used equipment such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers to effectively manage patient care.
- Delivered direct quality care to patients by evaluating medical conditions and managing and assessing treatments.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to make sound clinical decisions in high-pressure situations, minimizing risks and ensuring patient safety.
- Maintained accurate medical records in accordance with established protocols, ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information at all times.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
Education
No Degree - Nursing
Mobile College
Mobile, ALLPN - LPN
Blynn Jr College
Bryan, TX09.1986
Skills
Geriatric care
Medication administration
Emergency response
Vital signs monitoring
Clinical documentation
Family communication
Medication dispensing
Patient care
Physical assessment
Catheter care
Direct patient care
Clinical judgment
Health education
Behavioral assessment
Patient triaging
Breathing treatments
Documentation accuracy
Preventive care
Wound care
Vital signs
Pain management
Patient assessments
Immunization administration
Quality assurance
Medical records management
Certification
IV and drawing blood certification
Timeline
LPN
Ellisville State School
02.2020 - Current
LPN Charge Nurse
Texas A&M University
05.2011 - 2015
IV and drawing blood certification
02-1988
LPN Charge Nurse
Collins Veterans Home
2019 - 02.2020
No Degree - Nursing
Mobile College
LPN - LPN
Blynn Jr College