Melissa Lodge
Plantation,FL
Summary
An experienced and compassionate professional devoted to providing the highest quality of patient-centered care as a registered neonatal intensive care unit nurse. Committed to upholding the highest standards and nursing practices. A natural team-player with excellent interpersonal skills with patients and their families, staff, and physicians. Very well organized and able to efficiently prioritize multiple tasks. Highly experienced in caring for medically fragile children with a deep passion in wanting to sharpen skills working in a level 4 NICU.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Broward Health Medical Center
10.2022 - Current
- Enhance patient care by implementing evidence-based practices and individualized treatment plans in the NICU.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for neonatal patients, ensuring optimal outcomes for up 4 infants at one time.
- Facilitate parent education sessions on infant care, fostering confidence and competence in new parents transitioning home with their newborns.
- Administer prescribed medications to neonatal patients, closely monitoring for adverse reactions or potential complications.
- Assist with complex nursing procedures such as umbilical line placement, PICC line placement and dressing changes, lumbar punctures, exchange transfusions and endotracheal intubation with precision and accuracy.
- Provide compassionate emotional support to families during difficult times while navigating complexities of neonatal intensive care diagnosis not limited to: PPHN, PDA/PFO, HIE, pre and post surgical care, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia, NAS, cor pulmonale, and CLD.
- Serve as advocate for patient needs by collaborating with physicians to ensure appropriate interventions are implemented promptly when necessary.
- Assist in high-risk deliveries as part of multidisciplinary team, providing immediate stabilization and resuscitation efforts for newborns in need of critical intervention.
- The honor of being chosen for the role of primary nursing.
- Mentor/precept new nursing staff/students, providing guidance on best practices and specialized knowledge of neonatal care techniques.
Registered Nurse
Sunshine Kids Pediatric Care Center
09.2021 - Current
- Assess up to 8 patient vital signs per shift.
- Participate in fun group activities with patients to boost mood and provide light entertainment.
- Facilitate personal hygiene management, feeding and ambulation.
- Maintain patient stability by documenting patient vital signs and weight and recording intake and outtake information.
- Evaluate patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Tracheostomy care and suctioning.
- Offer immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
Caregiver for Pediatric Trach/Vent Dependent
Private Homehealth
11.2008 - 09.2021
- Assess patients' vital signs.
- Assists patient with transfer out of bed, bath, wheelchair or automobiles and with dressing and grooming.
- Airway clearing treatments that include nebulizer, CPT vest and tracheostomy care/changes/suctioning.
- Increased patient quality of life by entertaining, conversing with, or reading aloud to patient to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
- Administer prescribed oral medications, under written direction of physician.
- Accompany patient to doctors’ offices or on other trips outside patient home, providing transportation, assistance, and companionship.
- Great pride in prolongation of life expectancy by additional 11 years using evidence-based practices along with critical thinking.
Certified Medical Assistant
Strax Rejuvenation
12.2008 - 12.2009
- Prepare treatment rooms for over 100 patient examinations per day, keeping rooms neat, clean and well stocked.
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and assess vital signs.
- Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians’ instructions to patients.
- Collect blood or other laboratory specimens, log specimens, and prepare them for testing.
- Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
Education
Associate Degree in Nursing -
Jersey College
Fort Lauderdale08.2022
Certified Medical Assistant -
Florida Career College
Pembroke Pines05.2007
Skills
- Patient Advocacy
- Medication Administration
- Strong Work Ethic
- Adaptability
- Critical Thinking
- Fluent in Spanish
- Dependable, reliable and punctual
- Excellent communication and organization
- Professional and compassionate phone etiquette
Licensure & Certification
Registered Nurse, State of Florida, License #: 9610655
Basic Life Support, American Heart Association, May 2025
Neonatal Resuscitation Program, American Heart Association, December 2024
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Broward Health Medical Center
10.2022 - Current
Registered Nurse
Sunshine Kids Pediatric Care Center
09.2021 - Current
Certified Medical Assistant
Strax Rejuvenation
12.2008 - 12.2009
Caregiver for Pediatric Trach/Vent Dependent
Private Homehealth
11.2008 - 09.2021
Associate Degree in Nursing -
Jersey College
Certified Medical Assistant -
Florida Career College