Melissa Dawson
Mission Viejo,CA
Summary
Compassionate, hardworking and service oriented Registered Nurse with 20 plus years in the preoperative and postoperative patient care setting. Experienced in caring for the acute, as well as the outpatient, client. Current position focused on providing post procedural and post operative nursing care . Well-versed in delivering evidenced-based, therapeutic, and collaborative care in fast paced and varied settings while being culturally sensitive and team player.
Overview
1
1
Certification
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
PACU Nurse
Alicia Surgery Center
08.2023 - Current
- Monitor post-anesthesia recovery, assessing airway stability, pain, and vital signs for safe discharge readiness.
- Collaborate with anesthesiologists and surgical teams to coordinate PACU patient handoff and continuity of care.
- Administer medications and interventions to manage pain, nausea, and immediate postoperative discomfort.
- Document recovery assessments, treatment responses, and discharge criteria accurately in electronic medical records.
- Educated patients and families on postoperative instructions, medications, and home recovery expectations.
PACU Nurse
Providence Mission Ambulatory Surgery Center
05.2021 - 07.2026
- Kept meticulous charting notes regarding patient assessments and medications, later transferring information into records management system.
- Took vitals and assessed patients in recovery room following surgical procedures.
- Promoted quality of care by adhering to industry standards and measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and benchmarks.
- Evaluated patients' pain levels, implementing correct dosage of medication to alleviate discomfort.
Staff Nurse, Surgical Preoperative Unit
Saddleback Memorial Medical Center
10.2015 - 04.2021
- Preparation of two preoperative patients simultaneously
- Recovery of up to four post procedural patients simultaneously
- Provides necessary health education for 100 percent of patients
- Demonstrates critical thought and judgment in delivery of care and management of acute post operative and/or procedural pain, as well as chronic pain
- Care of a variety of patients, including those needing infusions & transfusions
- Provides quality nursing care in accordance with hospital policies and procedures
- Collaborates with physicians to facilitate transition to at home care by providing patients with continued care information and discharge instructions in 100% of discharged patients
- Documents all elements of nursing care in the electronic medical record, EPIC
Infusion Nurse and Research Pharmacist
CHOC Children's Allergy & Immunology Clinic
02.2009 - 12.2017
- Provided IV access and administered IVIG &/or vitamin infusions to 3-4 allergy and immunology patients in a given day
- Provided IV access, draw up and administer research medication to 100% clinical trial patients.
Staff Nurse, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
CHOC Children's Main Campus Orange
06.1986 - 08.2014
- Provided immediate post operative recovery nursing care for PICU cardiac patients as member of CHOC's heart team for 16 years
- Provided acute nursing care to wide range of medical and surgical pediatric patients
- Procedural sedation team member providing nursing care during prep, procedure, and recovery of procedural patient
- Provided ongoing patient and family education on disease processes, diagnostic studies and treatment plans in 100% assigned patients
- Assessed, stabilized, and transported acute patients to CHOC or outlying facilities as member of critical care transport team
Staff Nurse, Adult Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Methodist Hospital
05.1985 - 05.1986
- Provided immediate post operative nursing care for patients undergoing CABG surgery, valve replacement surgery, & heart transplant surgery.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix - Southern California Main Campus
Lake Forest, CA, United States2001
Registered Nurse Diploma - Nursing
Methodist Hospital School of Nursing - Nursing
Memphis, TN, United States1985
Skills
- Critical thinking
- Arrhythmia recognition
- Strong clinical judgement
- Problem resolution ability
- Team player
- IV competency/therapy
Certification
Certifications
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, 08/2028
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification, 10/2026
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification, 08/2028
- Pediatric Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Certification - 2021
Professional Memberships
- Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society of Nursing
- The American Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses
Timeline
PACU Nurse
Alicia Surgery Center
08.2023 - Current
PACU Nurse
Providence Mission Ambulatory Surgery Center
05.2021 - 07.2026
Staff Nurse, Surgical Preoperative Unit
Saddleback Memorial Medical Center
10.2015 - 04.2021
Infusion Nurse and Research Pharmacist
CHOC Children's Allergy & Immunology Clinic
02.2009 - 12.2017
Staff Nurse, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
CHOC Children's Main Campus Orange
06.1986 - 08.2014
Staff Nurse, Adult Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Methodist Hospital
05.1985 - 05.1986
Registered Nurse Diploma - Nursing
Methodist Hospital School of Nursing - Nursing
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix - Southern California Main Campus