Melissa Decker
Summary
As a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse with 25+ years of experience, I have a passion for providing compassionate and high-quality care to patients and their families. Trained for attention to detail, utilizing excellent customer service skills, I have a proven track record of collaborating with physicians and other healthcare professionals to assess, plan, educate, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans to best serve the patients healthcare needs.
I strive to build strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic and respectful communication. I am confident in my ability to handle difficult patients and high-stress situations, and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. I am looking for a new opportunity to apply my skills and expertise in a challenging and rewarding environment.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Travel Registered Nurse Level 3, NICU
Skyline Medstaff
11.2022 - Current
- Care of infants in a 28 bed level 3 NICU from admission to discharge: routine procedures, arterial blood pressure monitoring, cardiac and respiratory monitoring, ventilator management (SIMV/NIPPV/CPAP/VT/NC), central lines, specimen collection, administer infusions and injections according to physicians orders.
- Communicate any symptoms or abnormalities to physician.
- Demonstrate respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed
- Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion.
Registered Nurse
IV Sea Hydration Spa
03.2022 - 10.2022
- Assess client and review history to assure no contraindications to IV/INJ vitamin therapy. Ability to discuss sensitive health information with clients to help them feel their best
- Initiate IV access, infuse vitamin hydration fluids and monitor patient for reactions during and after infusion
- Mix and prepare requested IV/INJ therapy in the office setting. Maintain clinical and client care areas assuring a clean, safe and updated environment following office protocols in place.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
Registered Nurse
Emerald Coast Surgical
03.2022 - 09.2022
- Preoperatively verify patient information, making licensed staff aware of relevant health factors prior to outpatient procedures
- Initiate IV insertion and maintenance
- Explain course of care to patients and caregivers in easy to understand terms before and after procedure
- Recover and monitor patients in PACU post outpatient procedure
- Accurately document treatments, medications and IV's administered, discharge instructions and follow up care
Medical Leave
Procedure
09.2021 - 03.2022
- Medical leave for surgical procedure recovery
Registered Nurse Level 2, NICU
Ascension Sacred Heart, Emerald Coast
12.2019 - 09.2021
- Collaborate with physicians to assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment for the critically ill infant in 10 bed level 2 NICU
- Performed admission, discharge and transfer of patients requiring respiratory management (NIPPV/CPAP/HFNC/NC), sepsis management, feeding tolerance management, NAS care and monitoring.
- Guide and educate caregivers regarding infant diagnosis, disease process and management, preventive measures, and safe medication use to foster consistency with administration of care
- Organized unit based council to facilitate communication with staff and management regarding unit and patient care needs.
Registered Nurse
Foundations Medical Center
09.2019 - 02.2021
- Promote healthy lifestyle choices to reduce reemergence of complicated and often uncomfortable symptoms
- Initiate IV access, infuse vitamin hydration fluids and monitor patient for reactions during and after infusion following orders prescribed by physician
- Mix and prepare requested IV/INJ therapy in the office setting. Maintain clinical and client care areas assuring a clean, safe and updated environment following office protocols in place.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols, following all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Registered Nurse Level 4 NICU
UF Health Shands Children's Hospital
11.2009 - 08.2019
- Assessed and managed various treatments of the sick and premature infant in this 74 bed level 4 NICU including respiratory support (SIMV/NIPPPV/CPAP/HFNC/NC), cardiac care, post surgical management, genetic anomalies, feeding tolerance management
- Daily collaboration with physicians and practitioners regarding care of the critically ill infant
- Served as an advocate for medically fragile infants, physicians and various other support colleagues to assist and empower patient families in understanding and implementing treatment plans
- Trained and coached over 25 new employees on neonate care, unit and hospital protocol and best practices to promote ideal patient outcomes
Charge Registered Nurse Level 2 NICU
UF Health / Shands At AGH
11.2007 - 11.2009
- Oversee the management and planning of patient care for 10 bed level 2 NICU
- Directs, mentors, and schedules staff, including communicating job expectations and providing input to nursing supervisors on staff performance reviews.
- Completes patient care requirements by assigning nursing and staff and following up on test results.
- Established a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, families, and fellow coworkers.
Registered Nurse Level 2 NICU
UF Health/ Shands @ AGH
01.2002 - 11.2007
- Assessed, evaluated, and cared for sick and premature infants in a Level 2 NICU including those treated for respiratory needs, sepsis, and prematurity
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Coordinated with healthcare staff from various disciplines to devise, carry out, and manage personalized care plans to benefit patient health and recovery.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Preceptor for 3 new nurses in the unit
Mother-Baby Registered Nurse
UF Health/ Shands At AGH
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Care of up to 4 mother baby couplets following delivery until discharge to the home
- Promoted mother and infant comfort during post partum period to enhance healing and and bonding.
- Assisted parents with learning breast feeding techniques, infant feeding and care.
-
Registered Nurse Telemetry Unit
UF Health/ Shands At AGH
07.1998 - 01.2000
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current cardiac symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
Registered Nurse Neurology
UF Health/ Shands At AGH
07.1996 - 01.1998
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions for patients experiencing ischemic attack, and those recovering post operatively from spinal surgery
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Port Charlotte Regional Medical Center
08.1995 - 07.1996
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions while managing care for up to 12 patients working with a LPN and CNA.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Florida Gateway College
Lake City, FL06.1995
Skills
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Skilled at teaching patients using easy to understand terms and scenarios to aid in patient understanding and improved implementation
- Sensitive to various cultural backgrounds and needs
- EMR Systems: Epic, Cerner,
Certification
FL Compact License RN 2969752
District of Columbia RN 500007530
California RN 95357157
BLS- AHA 6/24
ACLS- AHA 6/24
NRP- 10/24
S.T.A.B.L.E.- 09/24
Timeline
Travel Registered Nurse Level 3, NICU
Skyline Medstaff
11.2022 - Current
Registered Nurse
IV Sea Hydration Spa
03.2022 - 10.2022
Registered Nurse
Emerald Coast Surgical
03.2022 - 09.2022
Medical Leave
Procedure
09.2021 - 03.2022
Registered Nurse Level 2, NICU
Ascension Sacred Heart, Emerald Coast
12.2019 - 09.2021
Registered Nurse
Foundations Medical Center
09.2019 - 02.2021
Registered Nurse Level 4 NICU
UF Health Shands Children's Hospital
11.2009 - 08.2019
Charge Registered Nurse Level 2 NICU
UF Health / Shands At AGH
11.2007 - 11.2009
Registered Nurse Level 2 NICU
UF Health/ Shands @ AGH
01.2002 - 11.2007
Mother-Baby Registered Nurse
UF Health/ Shands At AGH
01.2000 - 01.2002
Registered Nurse Telemetry Unit
UF Health/ Shands At AGH
07.1998 - 01.2000
Registered Nurse Neurology
UF Health/ Shands At AGH
07.1996 - 01.1998
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Port Charlotte Regional Medical Center
08.1995 - 07.1996
Associate of Science - Nursing
Florida Gateway College
FL Compact License RN 2969752
District of Columbia RN 500007530
California RN 95357157
BLS- AHA 6/24
ACLS- AHA 6/24
NRP- 10/24
S.T.A.B.L.E.- 09/24
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