MONICA CHRISTENSEN
Grain Valley,MO
Summary
Experienced Registered Nurse and U.S. Army Veteran with over 10 years in high-acuity emergency care, hospice case management, long-term care, and clinical leadership. Skilled in evaluating clinical records, coordinating interdisciplinary care, and ensuring compliant documentation. Expertise includes critical thinking, clinical judgment, discharge planning, QAPI, and utilization management.
Overview
1
1
Certification
3
3
years of post-secondary education
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Charge Nurse / Interim Director of Nursing (DON)
Odessa Healthcare Center
Odessa, MO
09.2025 - Current
- Directed nursing operations as Interim Director of Nursing from 03/2026 to 05/2026, managing clinical operations, staffing, documentation quality, regulatory readiness, incident follow-up, and staff education.
- Assessed changes in condition, reviewed relevant clinical information, prioritized interventions, coordinated provider notifications, and supported clinically appropriate escalations and follow-ups for long-term care residents, enhancing patient safety and care quality.
- Reviewed clinical records, medication documentation, care plans, and follow-ups for accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance, ensuring clinical appropriateness and adherence to ordered care standards.
Night Shift Charge Nurse
Aspire Senior Living
Oak Grove, MO
04.2025 - 09.2025
- Oversaw overnight clinical operations, assessed acute changes in condition, prioritized resident needs, initiated nursing interventions, and escalated concerns to providers or emergency services.
- Supervised nursing staff during night shifts to ensure quality care.
- Led nursing staff during night shifts to maintain high-quality patient care.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses for safety.
- Facilitated patient admissions and discharges during overnight shifts to enhance operational flow.
Emergency Department Registered Nurse - Contract/Internal
Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Lawton, OK
09.2023 - 09.2024
- Applied independent clinical judgment in a 36-bed Stroke/STEMI emergency department with approximately 278 patient visits daily, rapidly assessing severity, prioritizing care, and escalating high-acuity presentations.
- Assessed patient conditions in high-pressure emergency situations.
- Evaluated patient conditions during high-pressure emergency situations.
- Delivered medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care.
Emergency Department Registered Nurse
St. Mary's Medical Center
08.2022 - 08.2023
- Provided critical care to patients in high-pressure emergency situations.
- Provided emergency nursing care for diverse acute-care presentations, performing assessment, triage, medication administration, patient education, care coordination, and timely escalation of changes in condition to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams for effective patient management.
- Administered medications and treatments as per established protocols.
Case Manager / Branch Administrator
Beacon of Hope Hospice
Blue Springs, MO
03.2021 - 08.2022
- Advanced from Case Manager to Branch Administrator; managed approximately 15 clinical staff, a hospice census up to 58 patients, and an individual caseload of 18.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary hospice care with patients, families, providers, and clinical staff to enhance symptom management and ensure continuity of care during discharge and transition, implementing clinically appropriate plan-of-care changes.
- Reviewed documentation and individualized plans of care for clinical accuracy and regulatory compliance; led QAPI auditing and staff education to ensure performance management and survey readiness.
Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Centerpoint Medical Center
11.2020 - 03.2021
- Assessed patient conditions and prioritized care in fast-paced emergency environment.
- Assessed and triaged patients with acute, time-sensitive conditions, administered medications, coordinated care, educated patients, and escalated critical cases.
- Administered medications and treatments following established protocols and guidelines.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care and safety.
Nurse Assistant / LPN / Registered Nurse - Emergency Department
Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Lawton, OK
01.2015 - 12.2020
- Progressed from nurse assistant to LPN and RN in a high-volume emergency department, enhancing skills in triage, clinical assessment, medication safety, documentation, patient education, and interdisciplinary communication.
Staff Sergeant (E-6) / Squad Leader / Recruiter
United States Army
09.1999 - 12.2014
- Led operations as Light Wheel Mechanic, Squad Leader during Iraq deployment, and Army Recruiter, enhancing team readiness and mission effectiveness.
- Led and operated in roles including Light Wheel Mechanic, Squad Leader during an Iraq deployment, and Army Recruiter.
- Led team operations during training exercises and field missions.
- Coordinated logistical support for equipment and personnel movements, ensuring timely deployment and operational success.
- Trained soldiers in tactical skills and safety protocols, fostering a culture of safety and operational competence.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
OK 08.2020 - 01.2021
Associate of Science - Nursing
Western Oklahoma State College
Lawton, OK 08.2018 - 01.2020
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) -
Great Plains Technology Center
Lawton, OK 06.2015 - 06.2016
Skills
- Documentation accuracy
- Medical Record Review
- Medical necessity
- Clinical Appropriateness
- Clinical Judgment
- Regulatory Compliance
- QAPI Auditing
- Policy and Procedure Adherence
- Evidence-Based Care
- Acute/Emergency Care
- Triage
- Patient Safety
- Medication Safety
- Discharge planning
- Long-Term Care Coordination
- Long-Term Care
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Provider Communication
- Patient and Family Communication
- Medication Safety
Certification
Missouri Multi-State Compact Registered Nurse (eNLC), 2022004946
Clinical Systems
- Epic
- Cerner
- Meditech
- McKesson
- PointClickCare
- Netsmart
- Microsoft Office 365
Military Experience
Staff Sergeant (E-6) / Squad Leader / Recruiter, United States Army, 09/01/99, 12/01/14, Served in leadership and operational roles including Light Wheel Mechanic, Squad Leader during an Iraq deployment, and Army Recruiter., Trained and mentored more than 150 future soldiers; recognized for recruiting and military performance, including Recruiter of the Battalion honors.
Timeline
Charge Nurse / Interim Director of Nursing (DON)
Odessa Healthcare Center
09.2025 - Current
Night Shift Charge Nurse
Aspire Senior Living
04.2025 - 09.2025
Emergency Department Registered Nurse - Contract/Internal
Comanche County Memorial Hospital
09.2023 - 09.2024
Emergency Department Registered Nurse
St. Mary's Medical Center
08.2022 - 08.2023
Case Manager / Branch Administrator
Beacon of Hope Hospice
03.2021 - 08.2022
Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Centerpoint Medical Center
11.2020 - 03.2021
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
08.2020 - 01.2021
Associate of Science - Nursing
Western Oklahoma State College
08.2018 - 01.2020
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) -
Great Plains Technology Center
06.2015 - 06.2016
Nurse Assistant / LPN / Registered Nurse - Emergency Department
Comanche County Memorial Hospital
01.2015 - 12.2020
Staff Sergeant (E-6) / Squad Leader / Recruiter
United States Army
09.1999 - 12.2014