Melissa DeNardo BSN, RNC-OB
Birdsboro,PA
Summary
Results-driven Nurse Leader with nearly two decades of progressive experience in Maternal Child Health. Proven record of leading multidisciplinary teams, driving evidence-based practice, improving staff engagement, and supporting high-quality, patient-centered outcomes. Adept in operations management, workforce planning, policy development, and regulatory readiness. Seeking to continue advancing nursing excellence through effective leadership.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Nurse Manager
Penn State Health St. Joseph
Reading, PA
10.2022 - Current
- Provide operational and clinical leadership for the Family Birth Center, NICU, and Pediatrics.
- Contributor to U.S. News & World Report 2025 “Best Hospital for Maternity Care” – Penn State Health St. Joseph
- Contributor to CDC 2024 mPINC Recognition – Penn State Health St. Joseph
- Contributor to Baby-Friendly USA Redesignation 2023 – Penn State Health St. Joseph
- Lead quality improvement initiatives focused on maternal, neonatal, and pediatric outcomes, including standardization of postpartum hemorrhage and hypertension management, resulting in a 3% reduction in postpartum hemorrhage rates.
- Plan, manage, and execute a $57.6M annual operating budget across three units, ensuring fiscal accountability and strategic alignment while achieving a 5% reduction in NICU supply costs through effective resource optimization.
- Complete monthly audits of clinical outcomes and present findings at the departmental level to assess performance, identify trends, and support continuous improvement in patient outcome
- Lead performance management, including coaching, corrective action, and staff development.
- Partner with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe, high-quality patient care and optimal patient experience.
- Lead development and annual revision of unit policies utilizing current evidence-based practice.
- Conduct routine patient and staff rounding, supporting service recovery initiatives and staff recognition.
- Play an integral role in the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of nursing staff, contributing to a year-to-date turnover rate of 1.8%.
- Drive high levels of staff engagement, resulting in a 4.03 overall Press Ganey engagement score in 2025, a 93% employee participation rate, and a High Leader Index score of 4.26.
Assistant Nurse Manager
Penn State Health St. Joseph
Reading, PA
01.2019 - 10.2022
- Managed scheduling for 70+ employees including RNs, Surgical Technologists, and PCAs.
- Managed payroll and staffing for three distinct units using Workforce Management systems, reducing payroll discrepancies and ensuring appropriate coverage.
- Performed key human resource functions, including hiring, counseling, discipline, and annual performance evaluations.
- Served as Charge Nurse for a high-volume Maternal Child Health department with approximately 700 deliveries annually.
- Supported staff through drills, ongoing education, and competency development.
- Assisted with policy review and revision to align with updated evidence-based standards.
- Functioned as Scrub Nurse for obstetrical cases and provided direct patient care as needed.
- Collaborated closely with multidisciplinary teams to enhance communication, patient satisfaction, and outcomes.
Registered Nurse III – Labor & Delivery
Tower Health System
Reading, PA
03.2007 - 01.2019
- Coordinated patient care for antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum mother and baby couplets.
- Provided care for high-risk obstetric patients, including hypertension, preterm labor, PROM, and cervical insufficiency.
- Communicated effectively with physicians, residents, midwives, and anesthesia providers.
- Assisted anesthesia providers for induction and maintenance of epidurals, spinals, and general anesthesia.
- Delivered pre- and post-operative care for cesarean sections and gynecologic procedures.
- Functioned as Scrub Nurse for obstetrical cases.
- Served as Charge Nurse for a 13-bed labor unit with additional high-risk beds, supporting ~3,500 annual deliveries.
- Chaired peer interview team and co-chaired unit scheduling committee.
Registered Nurse II – Orthopedics & Trauma
Tower Health System
Reading, PA
09.2006 - 11.2007
- Delivered post-operative and trauma care, including orthopedic and urologic patients.
- Monitored patients with PCA devices, nerve blocks, cardiac monitoring, and orthopedic traction devices.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams including case management, PT/OT, and social services.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Downers Grove, IL10.2011
Associates of Applied Science -
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Williamsport, PA08.2006
Associates of Health Arts -
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Williamsport, PA08.2005
Skills
- Quality improvement
- Budget management
- Evidence-based practice
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Team building
- Policy development
- Staff coaching and mentoring
Affiliations
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWOHNN)
Awards
- Nominee, 2025 Nurse Excellence Awards – Excellence in Leadership for Nurse Leaders, Penn State Health St. Joseph
- Nominee, Pennsylvania Florence Nightengale Award in Nursing Administration (2024)
References
Available upon request
Degree
BSN, RNC-OB
Certifications And Courses
- Inpatient Obstetrics Certification (2019)
- BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP
- AWHONN Intermediate Fetal Monitoring Course
Timeline
Nurse Manager
Penn State Health St. Joseph
10.2022 - Current
Assistant Nurse Manager
Penn State Health St. Joseph
01.2019 - 10.2022
Registered Nurse III – Labor & Delivery
Tower Health System
03.2007 - 01.2019
Registered Nurse II – Orthopedics & Trauma
Tower Health System
09.2006 - 11.2007
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Associates of Applied Science -
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Associates of Health Arts -
Pennsylvania College of Technology