MELISSA C. CHRISTIANS
Solon,IA
Summary
Competent and caring Nursing professional offering 25 years of coordinating and carrying out patient care in high-volume patient care environments. Demonstrated ability to perform with speed and accuracy to assess patients, deliver treatments, and delegate tasks. Proven history of advocating for patient needs and fostering top-quality care. Has worked in multiple specialty areas including clinic settings and inpatient care.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Urology Department Staff Nurse
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, Iowa
11.2019 - Current
- Provides comprehensive care for patients with kidney and bladder cancer requiring chemotherapy
- Assists with procedures involving kidneys, prostate, men's sexual health, and bladder cancers
- Updates patient information in EMR in order to give patients and staff accurate record information
- Aids physicians with diagnostic and treatment procedures in order to provide professional assistance and knowledge of urological disease processes
- Multifunctions in multiple settings such as clinical care, pre-operative care, and surgical care in order to provide the department with a well-rounded knowledge of nursing practices
- Contributes to patient education in order to provide an understanding of disease processes and treatment options
- Administers medications, including Cysview conscious sedation and chemotherapy successfully and efficiently
- Keeps thorough documentation of patient information
Staff Registered Nurse
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, Iowa
08.2016 - 11.2019
- Conducted patient assessments and diagnostic tests to provide physicians with important patient health information used to create focused treatment plans and manage ongoing care
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance the continuum of care to deliver comprehensive services
- Coordinated care for up to 14 patients per shift in a busy clinic setting with strict quality and cost constraints
- Provided skilled direct nursing care to pre and post-procedural patients in the heart and vascular department for cath lab procedures
- Administered oral, intramuscular, and IV medications to patients and monitored responses
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients
- Used facility EMR system to update patient records, transmit prescriptions, and transfer files
- Monitored post-op vitals, set up PCA, and fluids, reviewed post-op orders and assimilated patients to the unit
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise, and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions
- Offered clinical leadership and oversight to a 14-bed acute care procedural unit, including daily scheduling, tasking, and administration
- Developed and adapted individualized treatment plans according to patient recovery goals
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress, and medication side effects
- Addressed unit staff concerns, including staffing ratios, resource management, allocation of responsibilities, and optimized workload management
- Answered patient questions and provided take-home materials for further information
PACU Staff Nurse
Mercy Hospital
Iowa City, Iowa
08.2016 - 11.2019
- Monitored post-op vitals, set up PCA, fluids, reviewed post-op orders, and assimilated patients to the unit
- Used facility EMR system to update patient records, transmit prescriptions, and transfer files
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise, and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support, and life-saving interventions
- Treated patients using pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities to address various disorders, diseases, and injuries
- Cared for patients recovering from surgical and anesthesia procedures
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology
- Inserted and managed central, arterial, and PICC lines
- Extubated patients when met criteria and monitored airway patency
- Monitored patients for post-surgical complications including airway, bleeding, EKG monitoring, Dressing care, PCA end epidurals
- Worked closely with surgeons and anesthesia physicians to care for acute recovery patients.
ICU Staff Nurse
Mercy Hospital
Iowa City, Iowa
06.2011 - 06.2014
- Monitored patients' respiration activity, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration
- Assessed patients, documented observations, and reviewed patient charts to determine care needs
- Collaborated with doctors to plan post-treatment home care and prevent return hospitalization due to complications
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to create, implement and adapt individualized plans of care to restore patients' health and drive recovery goals
- Managed all facets of telemetry, including PA catheters and arterials, vasoactive drug administration and titration, thrombolytic therapy, dysrhythmia interpretation, and chest tube management
- Treated patients with a broad range of diagnoses ranging from sepsis, renal failure, diabetic ketoacidosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Maintained strict patient privacy and confidential patient information, taking care to meet all HIPAA guidelines and statutes for data security
- Assessed notes by nursing staff for accuracy, completion, services rendered, and patient responses
- Planned, organized, supervised, and provided assignments for nursing, technical, office, and biomedical staff. Managed an average of 6 employees each shift
- Assisted patients with healing and recovery after surgery by closely monitoring and caring for wounds, answering questions, and educating them about continued care strategies
- Assigned staff to meet patient care needs and address productivity standards while adjusting for census, skill mix, and sick calls
- Precepted Nursing students and new staff members frequently.
Staff Registered Nurse
Otologic Medical Services
Iowa City, Iowa
11.1999 - 03.2010
- Explained treatment procedures, medication risks, special diets, and physician instructions to patients
- Took history and physical of clinic patients and prepared charts and supplies for physician
- Assisted physician with in-office procedures, drew lab work, sent specimens of clinic patients
- Administered allergy testing and allergy maintenance injections
- Assisted physician in the exam room with adult and pediatric patients
- Prioritized patient exams and procedures based on triage
- Made sure testing and labs were ready in chart for physician for clinic patients
- Returned phone calls, renewed prescriptions, and evaluated patient's needs to be seen in office or refer elsewhere
- Maintained daily scheduled patients and added or removed from schedule based on needs
- Reviewed physician orders and dispensed medication and treatment, participating in medication management to promote patient safety and effectiveness
- Answered patient questions and provided take-home materials for further information
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care to deliver comprehensive services
- Administered oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients and monitored responses
- Reviewed physician orders and implemented therapies, treatments, and medications
- Prioritized patient care assignments based on patient condition, responding to unanticipated interruptions while delegating care to achieve optimal, safe, and effective outcomes
- Facilitated strategic goals aimed at increasing satisfaction and improving outcomes through compassionate, precise, and high-quality care throughout the healthcare system
- Instructed patients, families, and caregivers on diagnoses, chronic disease management and prevention and medication self-management to maintain a continuum of care
RN Floor Nurse
Mercy Hospital Medical Partners
Iowa City, Iowa
05.1997 - 11.1999
- Dressed wounds with antiseptic compounds and sterile coverings to protect surgical sites and promote healing
- Provided training and supervision to staff on general surgery unit
- Monitored post-op vitals, set up PCA, fluids, reviewed post-op orders, and assimilated patients to unit
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise, and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support, and life-saving interventions
- Treated patients using pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities to address various disorders, diseases, and injuries
- Offered clinical leadership and oversight to 32-bed acute care medical-surgical unit, including daily scheduling, tasking, and administration
- Cared for patients recovering from general surgery and urologic procedures and provided personalized daily assistance
- Communicated with primary care physicians or emergency care providers to relay patient needs
- Imparted medical, operational, and patient care knowledge to junior nurses to maximize performance and quality of team operations
- Executed appropriate steps for patient treatment following careful review of physician medical regimen
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients
- Immunized patients against diseases such as influenza and pneumonia to protect vulnerable populations from serious illnesses
- Maintained adequate unit supplies to meet expected patient demands
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors, and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns
- Administered scheduled medications and therapies intravenously, rectally, orally, subcutaneously, and via intramuscular injections while overseeing pain management plans
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies, and standards of care
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care to deliver comprehensive services
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa11.1999
High School Diploma -
Iowa City High School
Iowa City, IowaSkills
Epic charting
- Patient advocacy
- Vital signs collection
- Data entry
- Needs assessment
- Triaging
- Customer service
- Wound care expertise
- Palliative care management
- Cultural sensitivity
- Patient education
- Cardiovascular treatment
- Direct patient care
- Urodynamics testing
- Medical ethics
- Vascular care knowledge
- Bladder scan performance
- Critical care nursing
- Nursing plan development
- IV therapy management
- Catheter insertion and maintenance
- Patient discharge planning
- Urology clinical care
- Pre-operative nursing care
- Procedural nursing in OR
- Medication administration
- Urological procedure assistance
Certification
• BLS certification, current
• ACLS certification, current
• PALS certification, current
• ACLS certification, current
• PALS certification, current
Timeline
Urology Department Staff Nurse
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
11.2019 - Current
Staff Registered Nurse
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
08.2016 - 11.2019
PACU Staff Nurse
Mercy Hospital
08.2016 - 11.2019
ICU Staff Nurse
Mercy Hospital
06.2011 - 06.2014
Staff Registered Nurse
Otologic Medical Services
11.1999 - 03.2010
RN Floor Nurse
Mercy Hospital Medical Partners
05.1997 - 11.1999
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Kirkwood Community College
High School Diploma -
Iowa City High School