Nichole Schwartz
Mars,PA
Summary
Experienced registered nurse with a solid background in direct patient care and nursing management roles. Demonstrated expertise in level 1 trauma centers and community hospital settings, with a comprehensive understanding of both operating room and ICU environments in both pediatric and adult care. With 13 years of experience, brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to provide exceptional healthcare services to patients.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Travel Registered Nurse - Operating Room
Geisinger Medical Center
01.2024 - Current
- Level 1 Trauma Center
- Provide operative care to both adult and pediatric populations.
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures.
- Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing.
- Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
- Assisted anesthesia staff during intubation and extubation and providing additional IV access.
- Collaborated effectively with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care, resulting in successful surgeries and expedited recoveries.
- Ensured patient safety and comfort during surgical procedures through vigilant monitoring and communication with the surgical team.
- Promoted positive teamwork dynamics within the operating room by collaborating closely with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
- Maintained organized inventory of supplies for the operating room, ensuring availability of necessary equipment for each procedure performed smoothly without interruption.
- Reduced risk of infection by maintaining strict adherence to aseptic techniques and established protocols for instrument sterilization.
- Served as a mentor to new staff members, sharing expertise and guidance on best practices in the operating room setting.
Travel Registered Nurse - Operating Room
UPMC Magee Women's Hospital
01.2023 - Current
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures.
- Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing.
- Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
- Assisted anesthesia staff during intubation and extubation and providing additional IV access.
Travel Registered Nurse - Operating Room
Lancaster General Hospital
09.2021 - 12.2022
- Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
- Performed preoperative assessments on patients and evaluated overall health.
- Kept count of all surgical instruments and sponges used during operations and procedures.
- Assessed team members' workloads and pitched in to help in areas where need was most evident.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures.
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
- Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
Clinical Nurse Leader
UPMC Children's Hospital Of Pittsburgh
12.2017 - 09.2021
- In charge of all 14 operating rooms to insure the prompt, safe, and effective care of surgical patients.
- Responsible for responding to Level 1 traumas as well as in house emergencies such as ECMOs.
- Effectively communicating and coordinating surgeries with both the anesthesia and surgical teams.
- Coordinates patient flow from other hospital units into the operating room.
- Responsible for nurse and surgical tech staffing.
- Responsible for coordinating between inpatient units.
- Motivated nursing staff to pursue advanced training and collaborated with unit leaders to identify skill needs.
- Interacted effectively with department managers to promptly correct problems and improve services.
- Evaluated nursing staff's performance and developed education programs and professional development opportunities to improve individual and team competencies, clinical knowledge and delivery of care.
- Introduced initiatives based on staff education, infection control audits, safe medication administration and proper wound care to achieve unit and facility goals.
Pediatric Critical Care Registered Nurse
UPMC Children's Hospital Of Pittsburgh
12.2014 - 12.2017
- Provide total patient care in the PICU at a Level 1 trauma center.
- Collaborate with the entire health care team including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapy and many others.
- Perform hemodynamic and vital sign monitoring to recognize subtle changes in a patient’s stability.
- Monitor invasive equipment such as mechanical ventilators, endotracheal tubes, arterial catheters, central lines and external ventricular drains.
- Titrate and administer high alert medications such a vasoactives, sedatives, paralytics and insulin.
- Assist with bedside procedures such as surgeries, line placements and intubations.
- Serve as part of the CODE team by responding to arrests and critical emergencies in the PICU as well on other units.
Registered Nurse - Operating Room
UPMC Children's Hospital Of Pittsburgh
11.2012 - 12.2014
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures.
- Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Provided effective bedside care to patients before and after procedures to deliver comfort.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA12.2014
Diploma - Nursing
UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing
Pittsburgh, PA09.2012
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA05.2009
Skills
- Nursing Leadership
- ELSO ECMO Trained RN
- IV Access
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Infection Control
- Interprofessional Collaboration
- Care Coordination
- Time Management
- Effective Communication
Contact
Mars, PA 16046
Education
Pittsburgh, PA,Pittsburgh, PA,Pittsburgh, PA
Timeline
Travel Registered Nurse - Operating Room
Geisinger Medical Center
01.2024 - Current
Travel Registered Nurse - Operating Room
UPMC Magee Women's Hospital
01.2023 - Current
Travel Registered Nurse - Operating Room
Lancaster General Hospital
09.2021 - 12.2022
Clinical Nurse Leader
UPMC Children's Hospital Of Pittsburgh
12.2017 - 09.2021
Pediatric Critical Care Registered Nurse
UPMC Children's Hospital Of Pittsburgh
12.2014 - 12.2017
Registered Nurse - Operating Room
UPMC Children's Hospital Of Pittsburgh
11.2012 - 12.2014
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chatham University
Diploma - Nursing
UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Chatham University
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