Melissa Hubbard
Summary
Experienced healthcare leader with over 20 years of expertise in critical care, trauma, perioperative services, and virtual critical care. Proven track record in process improvement, patient flow optimization, and team leadership, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and efficiency. As a Nurse Manager in Perioperative Services, ensures safe staffing ratios, operational efficiency, and high-quality patient care. Skilled in driving data-driven strategies that enhance patient outcomes, streamline workflows, and improve staff engagement. Dedicated to continuous improvement, with expertise in optimizing operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. A strategic leader with a strong ability to analyze data, implement best practices, and drive sustainable change, making a lasting impact in surgical services and beyond.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Nurse Manager, Perioperative Services
Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital
Charlotte, NC
04.2023 - Current
- Implemented data-driven strategies that reduced PACU boarding times by 14% and increased same-day discharges (SDD) by 21.5% year-over-year, achieving a record 1,200+ SDD discharges in 2024.
- Adjusted staffing models, refined processes, and improved efficiencies to accommodate a 3.7% increase in surgical volume.
- Led initiatives that resulted in an NPS of 92.0 for COH OPS in 2024, exceeding the long-term goal by 3.4 points, and recognized as a top performer in patient experience for multiple quarters.
- Maintained an average FCOTS rate of 83% throughout the year, exceeding performance targets of 78% and improving surgical workflow.
- Successfully maintained departments at 110-120% productivity, consistently exceeding established performance thresholds, while ensuring efficiency and high-quality patient care.
- Led efforts to streamline department supply par lists, reducing waste and enhancing resource utilization, resulting in cost savings exceeding $168,000 in 2024.
- Assisted with Magnet re-designation by ensuring adherence to nursing excellence standards, fostering professional development, and enhancing patient outcomes
- Contributed to securing Trauma Level II designation by optimizing workflows, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enhancing coordination between surgical, trauma, anesthesia, and critical care teams.
- Fostered an engaged, high-performing team by improving communication and implementing staffing guidelines to align team needs with departmental objectives.
- Rolled out staff-driven improvements, including adjustments to call sign-ups, PTO policies, and flexible staffing to enhance team satisfaction and operational effectiveness
- Oversee a team of 34 full-time employees (FTEs), routinely monitoring staffing levels to ensure safe nurse-to-patient ratios and optimal patient care; adjust staffing and adding FTEs in alignment with budgetary guidelines and departmental needs.
Clinical Supervisor, Behavioral Health
Davidson-Atrium Health
Davidson, North Carolina
05.2022 - 04.2023
- Assists the Nurse Manager with daily operations, allocation of resources, communications, patient throughput, and program development
- Monitor employee compliance with licensure and registration requirements, oversee staff education of policy and procedures, and required competencies.
- Assisted with developing, recruiting, and retaining team members; performance appraisals, and patient service recovery.
- Manage staffing and scheduling of teammates for the unit; function as House Supervisor, and collaborate with the Medical Director to determine patient placement.
Registered Nurse, Virtual Critical Care Unit
Atrium Health
Mint Hill, North Carolina
08.2019 - 05.2022
- Utilized state-of-the-art technology to provide expertise and knowledge to bedside caregivers over a large group of patients in multiple, diverse intensive care units and facilities across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
- Implemented evidence-based clinical initiatives to improve patient outcomes, promote ICU liberation, and decrease hospital length of stay.
- Facilitated the incorporation of multi-disciplinary team members, including virtual physicians, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists, to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.
- Charge Nurse; Chair-Practice, Innovation, and Quality Council; LifeShare Carolinas Organ Donation Unit Champion, and originator of the Clinical LifeShare Initiative; Completion of Nursing Career Advancement Program Level 3
- Atrium Health Year of the Nurse Summit 2020/2021: Nursing Innovation Panelist
Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Texas Health Center for Diagnostics & Surgery
Plano, Texas
04.2014 - 03.2019
- Experience with critical care, inpatient, and ambulatory surgery patient populations in a strong customer service-oriented award-winning facility for quality of care and employee satisfaction.
- Charge Nurse and Preceptor to new employees.
- Chair of Unit Practice Council; active member of Employee Recognition Committee, Unit Education Liaison, Completion of Nursing Career Advancement Program Level 3.
- Participated in the designation and re-designation for Pathways to Excellence, Employee of the Month, and multiple nominations for the International Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
- International Relationship-Based Care Symposium: Poster Presenter, 2017.
Registered Nurse, Pre/Post Anesthesia Care Unit
STAR Medical Center
Plano, Texas
10.2013 - 04.2014
- Collaborated with leadership and multidisciplinary teams to design workflows, ensure regulatory compliance, and establish operational processes to optimize patient care and efficiency for a new outpatient surgical center.
- Practical experience in providing nursing care in a PACU setting and addressing medications, airway management, and post-anesthesia care/complications
Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Methodist Hospital for Surgery
Addison, Texas
06.2012 - 10.2013
- Direct experience with recovery of multiple specialties including orthopedic, spine, joint replacement, eye, ENT, plastics, and pain management surgeries
- Active member of the Communication and Measurements Team; as well as the Standards, Rewards, and Recognition Committee; and other unit-specific projects
- Charge nurse and cross-trained to the Emergency Department
Trauma Nurse Coordinator
Baylor University Medical Center
Dallas, Texas
11.2010 - 10.2012
- Utilized specialized nursing knowledge and skills to facilitate and assist with assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of trauma patient care throughout hospital admission by collaborating with physicians, nurses, and multi-disciplinary trauma team members to assure quality patient outcomes across the continuum of care.
- Responded to trauma activations in the emergency department to facilitate care of the trauma patient ensuring the compliance of standards set forth by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Level 1 Trauma Center.
- Collaborated with trauma team members in implementing and evaluating trauma-related process improvement opportunities, both internal and external, and providing follow-up for loop closure; involvement in educational/preventative outreach community programs.
- Involved in developing new Trauma Nurse Clinician staff competencies, revising job roles and responsibilities, and precepting new Trauma Nurse Clinicians, active participant in multiple trauma-related committees, programs, and special projects, including the Southwest Transplant Alliance.
- Contributed to the successful re-designation of the facility as a Level I Trauma Center by the ACS, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance trauma protocols, optimize patient flow, and ensure compliance with ACS standards.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Baylor University Medical Center
Dallas, Texas
05.2003 - 03.2011
- Trauma/Neurological/Surgical ICU Nurse
- Leadership experience in multiple unit-specific committees and hospital-wide organizations; several years of experience in precepting new graduate and new hire nurses, and nursing students; unit and facility Southwest Transplant Alliance liaison.
- Charge Nurse responsibilities include assignments based on acuity, staffing, budget-conscious decisions, assisting staff nurses, and triage of admissions/discharges for a 23-bed ICU.
Education
Masters of Science in Nursing - Nursing and Healthcare Leadership
Duke University
Durham, NC12.2026
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Baylor University
Waco, Texas05-2003
Skills
- Department management
- Policy development and optimization
- Budget planning and management
- Patient discharge planning
- Staff leadership and development
- Quality assurance
- Staff coaching and mentoring
- Clinical supervision
- Quality improvement
- Performance improvement
- Productivity management
- Utilization management and review
- Multidisciplinary care coordination
- Hiring and terminations
Continuing Education
Legal Nurse Consulting, Professional Certificate, 2019
Duke University, Durham, NC
Conferences
- International Relationship-Based Care Symposium, Poster Presenter, 2017
- American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses National Conference, Attendee, 2018
- Atrium Health Year of the Nurse Summit, Nursing Innovation Panelist, 2020/2021
- AACN National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition, Attendee, 2021, 2022
Licensure Certifications
- Registered Nurse Compact License, No. 317357
- AACN CCRN Certification
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support, PALS
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support, ACLS
- Basic Life Support, BLS
Timeline
Nurse Manager, Perioperative Services
Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital
04.2023 - Current
Clinical Supervisor, Behavioral Health
Davidson-Atrium Health
05.2022 - 04.2023
Registered Nurse, Virtual Critical Care Unit
Atrium Health
08.2019 - 05.2022
Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Texas Health Center for Diagnostics & Surgery
04.2014 - 03.2019
Registered Nurse, Pre/Post Anesthesia Care Unit
STAR Medical Center
10.2013 - 04.2014
Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Methodist Hospital for Surgery
06.2012 - 10.2013
Trauma Nurse Coordinator
Baylor University Medical Center
11.2010 - 10.2012
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Baylor University Medical Center
05.2003 - 03.2011
Masters of Science in Nursing - Nursing and Healthcare Leadership
Duke University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Baylor University
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