Melba Schwinghamer
Kingman,AZ
Summary
I am a dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse with over 25 years of diverse experience in medical-surgical, critical care, geriatrics, rehabilitation, community health settings, mother and baby/women’s healthcare services and correctional facilities. Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to patient-centered care, clinical excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a proven ability to adapt in fast-paced environments and provide quality outcomes, I take pride in mentoring new nurses, team leading, being a part of a group and continually advancing my skills to meet the evolving demands of healthcare. I am now seeking new opportunities where I can contribute my expertise, leadership, and empathy to a dynamic healthcare team. I look forward to working together and alongside with my colleagues to make sure that we will create a safe and secured future for our patients and community and ourselves. Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Overview
1
1
Certification
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Nurse
Kingman Regional Medical Center
Kingman, AZ
12.2025 - Current
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols and patient care plans.
- Monitored vital signs, documenting changes in patient status for timely interventions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized care strategies.
- Educated patients and families on health management, medication adherence, and discharge planning.
- Monitored patient vital signs, identifying changes and notifying healthcare team promptly.
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols and physician orders.
- Assisted in patient admissions, discharges, and transfers, ensuring smooth transitions of care.
- Educated patients and families on post-discharge care plans and medication management.
- Documented patient assessments and interventions accurately in electronic health records (EHR).
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for patients.
- Implemented infection control measures, maintaining compliance with health regulations and standards.
- Maximized efficiency within the unit through effective delegation of tasks amongst fellow nursing staff based on skill level and workload capacity.
Staff Nurse
Trellis Centennial (SNF)
Las Vegas, NV
08.2025 - 12.2025
- Provide bedside care and coordinate treatment plans for residents in a skilled nursing facility.
- Manage clinical responsibilities including blood sugar monitoring, wound care, medication administration, and lab result follow-ups for 18 patients.
- Handle new admissions, implement care protocols, and support infection control measures.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to ensure patient safety and meet regulatory compliance.
- Utilize electronic health record (EHR) systems for documentation and care tracking(PCC system).
- Demonstrate adaptability and patient advocacy while working long shifts under high patient load
Staff Nurse
Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center
Las Vegas, NV
01.2017 - 01.2025
- Staff RN responsibilities in Women’s Services at Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas, NV.
- This role encompasses care for clean Medical - Surgical , OB-Gyne, and Post Partum Patients
- Centennial Hills Hospital – Women’s Services Overview
- The Women’s Center at Centennial Hills Hospital offers comprehensive services, including labor, delivery, recovery rooms, antepartum and postpartum care, a newborn nursery, and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
- As a Day Shift Staff RN My Responsibilities :
- Patient Care & Clinical Duties
- Conduct comprehensive assessments for medical-surgical, postpartum, and OB-Gyne patients.
- Monitor vital signs, lab results, and overall patient condition to detect early signs of complications.
- Administer medications, IV therapies, and prescribed treatments accurately and safely.
- Provide post-operative care for gynecological procedures (e.g., hysterectomy, laparoscopic surgeries).
- Deliver patient-centered care to postpartum mothers and their newborns, ensuring bonding and breastfeeding support.
- Educate patients and families on disease processes, medications, self-care, and post-discharge instructions.
- Collaborate with physicians, midwives, and other interdisciplinary team members for coordinated care.
- Use electronic medical records (EMR) for timely and accurate charting. We use Cerner and Pyxis.
- Maintain infection control standards in caring for “clean” (non-infectious) patients.
- Support early ambulation and recovery protocols for surgical patients.
- Recognize and respond to emergency situations, including postpartum hemorrhage or sudden medical deterioration.
- Provide emotional support and culturally sensitive care tailored to women and families.
- Participate in bedside shift reports, interdisciplinary rounds, and unit improvement initiatives.
- Maintain a safe and respectful environment aligned with hospital policies and women’s health best practices.
- Team Collaboration & Communication
- Participate in bedside shift reports and interdisciplinary rounds.
- Communicate effectively with physicians, midwives, and other team members.
- Assist in mentoring and precepting new nurses or nursing students.
- Documentation & Compliance
- Accurately document patient care activities in the electronic medical records (EMR) system.
- Ensure compliance with hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory standards.
- Maintain confidentiality and privacy of patient information.
- Additional Notes
- The hospital emphasizes a collaborative approach, with nurses participating in staffing committees to provide input on nurse staffing concerns.
- Staff RNs are encouraged to engage in continuous education and professional development opportunities.
Staff RN
North Vista Hospital
Las Vegas, NV
04.2016 - 10.2018
- Took care of 6 to 7 patients, and if you have the stable ventilator patients with wound vac, you only either have 4 to 5 patients one will be a non-ventilator patient.
- Familiar with Epic standards for our documentation.
Staff RN
University Medical Center Hospital
Las Vegas, NV
06.2004 - 08.2007
- Ensured comprehensive assessments, reflecting intrinsic/extrinsic factors impacting patient care
- Educated patients/family on planned care options
- Incorporated the patient's physiological, psychological, cultural, developmental and spiritual needs into the plan of care
Staff RN
Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center
Las Vegas, NV
05.2004 - 08.2007
- We were part of the innovative technology in Medical and Critical /Intensive Care Unit and Step Down Unit of the hospital when it opened.
- Administered medication to patients on ventilators, swan ganz monitors with serious illness and injury.
- Evaluated, documented, dressing wounds of patient's continual progress.
- Provided assistance to physicians in assessing patients, and doing special procedures like arterial, central venous, pulmonary artery, or peripheral catheter insertion, lumbar puncture, thoracentesis, paracentesis, and intubation/mechanical ventilation.
Correctional RN
High Desert State Prison
Las Vegas, NV
08.2004 - 08.2005
- Maintained security of medical supplies/medication while delivering optimal medical care
- Carefully monitored inmate progress and responses to medical treatment
- Conveyed a descriptive patient status to on-call physicians for the best patient outcomes
Correctional RN II
Clark County Detention Center/Las Vegas Metro Police Jail
Las Vegas, NV
10.2003 - 03.2004
- Assessed, diagnosed and treated inmates within the parameters of policies and state regulation
- Oversee disease clinics while limiting the use of potentially dangerous materials (scalpels, intravenous drips and pens)
- Managed, “KITES”- used by inmates to express concerns/request of their possible health problems
Staff Nurse for Same Hospital
Kingman Regional Medical Center
Kingman, AZ
10.1995 - 05.2003
- Provide the necessary care for patients
- Acted as a liaison for patients and the families of patients
- Practiced and Observe the rights and beliefs of patients
- Monitored/documented the care that patients receive per unit/hospital policy
- Offered assistance that is in the best interest of the patient
- Interceded for patients in situations that require action immediately
- Represent the patient according to his or her choice/ acted as patient advocate
- Provide support and education that can help patients and their designated surrogate make the best decisions possible.
- Assisted with Bedside Procedures such as:
- Thoracentesis
- Paracentesis
- Lumbar puncture
- Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line insertion
- Insertion of a urinary catheter
- Cardioversion
- Incision and drainage procedures
- Negative pressure wound therapy
- Central line insertion and de clotting procedures
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Chest tube insertion
- Endotracheal intubation
- Blood transfusions
- Drug administration services
Case Manager for PCU and ICU
Kingman Regional Medical Center
Kingman, AZ
05.2002 - 03.2003
- As a Case Manager, I planned for transitions of care, discharge and often post discharge follow up.
- Often coordinate/communicate with the patient and family, physician(s), funding sources like insurance, (Medicare), and community resources that provide services the patient may need, such as rehabilitation facilities or providers of medical equipment.
- Through this coordination, as a hospital case manager, my goals were to ensure both optimal patient and hospital outcomes including quality of care, efficient resource utilization and reimbursement for services.
- I coordinated and do a collaborative practice, consisting primarily of Nurse and Social Work professionals working in collaboration with physicians and other members of the healthcare team like the Speech Therapist, Physical therapist, based on the needs of the patient and sometimes even the families.
RN 111
Friendly Hills Regional Medical Center
La Habra, CA
05.1990 - 10.1993
- Provide the necessary care for patients
- Acted as a liaison for patients and the families of patients
- Practiced and Observed the rights and beliefs of patients
- Monitored/documented the care that patients receive per unit/hospital policy
- Offered assistance that is in the best interest of the patient
- Interceded for patients in situations that require action immediately
- Represented the patient according to his or her choice/ acted as patient advocate
- Provided support and education that can help patients and their designated surrogate make the best decisions possible.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing
St. Jude College
Manila, PH01-1980
High school diploma or GED - undefined
Bachelor's degree - Nursing
Skills
- Nursing
- Clinical research
- Care plans
- Critical Care (10 years)
- Nursing administration
- Organizational skills
- Hospital (10 years)
- Patient care
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data collection
- Nurse management
- Patient monitoring
- Emergency Room
- Teaching
- Med Surg (10 years)
- Communication skills
- Windows (10 years)
- Acute care
- Recruiting
- Microsoft Word
- Supervising experience
- Home Health (2 years)
- Teaching hospital
- RN
- Staff Nurse (10 years)
- Medical Surgical (10 years)
Certification
- BLS Certification
- CPR Certification
- RN License
- January 2025 to January 2027
- First Aid Certification
- Driver's License
- LPN
- ACLS Certification
Timeline
Staff Nurse
Kingman Regional Medical Center
12.2025 - Current
Staff Nurse
Trellis Centennial (SNF)
08.2025 - 12.2025
Staff Nurse
Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center
01.2017 - 01.2025
Staff RN
North Vista Hospital
04.2016 - 10.2018
Correctional RN
High Desert State Prison
08.2004 - 08.2005
Staff RN
University Medical Center Hospital
06.2004 - 08.2007
Staff RN
Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center
05.2004 - 08.2007
Correctional RN II
Clark County Detention Center/Las Vegas Metro Police Jail
10.2003 - 03.2004
Case Manager for PCU and ICU
Kingman Regional Medical Center
05.2002 - 03.2003
Staff Nurse for Same Hospital
Kingman Regional Medical Center
10.1995 - 05.2003
RN 111
Friendly Hills Regional Medical Center
05.1990 - 10.1993
Bachelor's degree - Nursing
High school diploma or GED - undefined
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing
St. Jude College