RAQUEL WOODWARD
Columbia,SC
Summary
Acute PACU Nurse passing skills in effective communication, patient assessment and pain management methods. An advocate for top-notch patient care. Determined and bilingual to effectively comfort patients of all ages. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure entry-level PACU-Nurse position, train new graduate nurses while in the PACU. Ready to help team achieve company goals with positive patient outcomes. Charge Nurse abilities to maintain safe recovery among a trauma level-one facility.
Clinical Adjunct Instructor trains student nurses and Med-Surg students in foundational nursing skills to prepare them for the nursing profession. Students are taught theses skills before entering clinical rotations.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PACU Registered Nurse
Prisma Health Richland
01.2012 - Current
- Collaborated with surgical teams to establish comprehensive care plans tailored to individual patient needs.
- Monitored patient vitals, ensuring timely interventions and optimal recovery during post-anesthesia care.
- Implemented safety protocols, reducing the risk of complications and promoting a secure recovery environment.
- Mentored junior nurses in PACU procedures, fostering skill development and adherence to best practices.
- Evaluated patient responses to anesthesia, making critical decisions for immediate medical intervention when necessary.
PACU Nurse
Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center
10.2024 - 12.2025
- Assessed patients'' readiness for transfer to step-down units or home, ensuring all criteria were met before proceeding with transitions of care.
- Managed multiple high-acuity cases simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
- Monitored vital signs and administered medications to support patient stabilization, facilitating smoother transitions to recovery.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to prepare for patient arrivals in PACU, ensuring seamless continuation of care.
PACU Registered Nurse Pre/OP
UNC Health Southeastern
07.2025 - 09.2025
- Provided timely interventions to address airway management complications such as respiratory depression or obstruction in post-operative patients.
- Reduced complications by promptly identifying and addressing post-operative issues in PACU patients.
- Enhanced patient recovery by providing comprehensive post-anesthesia care and monitoring vital signs.
- Decreased medication errors by meticulously administering medications following proper protocols and verifying dosages.
PACU Nurse
Carolina Eyecare Physician
02.2025 - 06.2025
- Administered post-anesthesia care to ensure patient comfort and safety.
- Monitored vital signs and responded to changes in patient conditions effectively.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to optimize recovery protocols for diverse procedures.
- Educated patients on post-operative care and recovery expectations to enhance compliance.
PACU Nurse
Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children
08.2024 - 10.2024
- Evaluated patients' pain levels, implementing correct dosage of medication to alleviate discomfort.
- Took vitals and assessed patients in recovery room following surgical procedures.
- Implemented best practices for infection control, improving overall patient outcomes.
- Streamlined documentation processes, enhancing accuracy and efficiency of patient records.
PACU Nurse
RWJ University New Brunswick
08.2023 - 10.2023
- Updated clinical knowledge through regular participation in professional development seminars, maintaining high standards of nursing care.
- Optimized resource utilization by effectively managing PACU supplies, ensuring availability for critical care needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to optimize patient outcomes during the recovery process.
- Advocated for patients'' needs throughout their stay in the PACU, establishing trustful relationships with patients and their families.
Adjunct Clinical Instructor
University of South Carolina
03.2015 - 01.2022
- Effective communication skills: demonstrate ability to effectively communicate complex information in clear and concise manner, while fostering supportive learning environment
- Clinical expertise: possess extensive clinical experience and expertise in filed, providing students with valuable insights and guidance on best practices in hands-on learning environment
- Proven ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges in clinical setting, effectively solving problems and making informed decisions to ensure positive learning outcomes for each student.
- Promoted cultural competence among students through exposure to diverse patient populations during clinical experiences.
- Supervised students during clinical rotations, ensuring adherence to policies and procedures while promoting patient safety and quality care delivery.
- Championed student involvement in extracurricular activities related to nursing, fostering a strong sense of community and professional identity among program participants.
- Collaborated with fellow faculty members to share resources, exchange ideas, and improve the overall effectiveness of the program.
- Delivered high-quality instruction using a variety of teaching methods tailored to diverse learning styles and individual needs of students.
- Inspired students to continue their education and professional development beyond graduation by sharing personal experiences and highlighting opportunities within the nursing field.
- Assisted in curriculum development to ensure alignment with accreditation standards and best practices in nursing education.
- Contributed to program evaluation efforts by collecting data on student outcomes and providing input for ongoing improvements.
Registered Nurse, Step Down Unit
William Jennings Bryan Dorn Department of Veterans
01.2018 - 05.2019
- Provided compassionate care to diverse patient populations, promoting healing environment conducive to recovery and wellbeing.
- Enhanced patient care by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and providing timely interventions in step-down unit.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop customized care plans, ensuring optimal patient outcomes and satisfaction.
- Demonstrated proficiency in managing multiple high-acuity patients simultaneously while maintaining high level of attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
- Adapted quickly to changing circumstances and emergent situations on step-down unit while maintaining composure under pressure and providing high-quality care.
- Promoted culture of patient safety by consistently following proper protocols for medication administration, falls prevention, and pressure ulcer management.
- Demonstrated proficiency in managing multiple high-acuity patients simultaneously while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
- Promoted a culture of patient safety by consistently following proper protocols for medication administration, falls prevention, and pressure ulcer management.
- Maintained a high level of infection control practices, contributing to reduced hospital-acquired infections within the step-down unit.
- Utilized advanced clinical skills to manage complex patients, including those requiring telemetry monitoring and ventilator support.
- Provided compassionate care to diverse patient populations, promoting a healing environment conducive to recovery and wellbeing.
- Contributed to quality improvement initiatives within the department by identifying areas of potential improvement and proposing effective solutions based on best practices.
- Adapted quickly to changing circumstances and emergent situations on the step-down unit while maintaining composure under pressure and providing high-quality care.
- Enhanced patient care by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and providing timely interventions in the step-down unit.
- Evaluated patient progress regularly, adjusting care plans as needed to ensure optimal recovery trajectories and timely discharge from the step-down unit.
Education
Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing focus in nursing education
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN08.2024
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, SC12.2011
Skills
- Strong clinical skills, charge experience
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Teaching and Mentoring
- Organization and time management
- Collaboration
- Continuous learning
- Adaptability
- Reliable team player
- Compassionate
Certification
- ACLS 11/26
- BLS 5/27
- PALS 11/26
- NIHSS 10/26
- NRP 6/26
Timeline
PACU Registered Nurse Pre/OP
UNC Health Southeastern
07.2025 - 09.2025
PACU Nurse
Carolina Eyecare Physician
02.2025 - 06.2025
PACU Nurse
Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center
10.2024 - 12.2025
PACU Nurse
Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children
08.2024 - 10.2024
PACU Nurse
RWJ University New Brunswick
08.2023 - 10.2023
Registered Nurse, Step Down Unit
William Jennings Bryan Dorn Department of Veterans
01.2018 - 05.2019
Adjunct Clinical Instructor
University of South Carolina
03.2015 - 01.2022
PACU Registered Nurse
Prisma Health Richland
01.2012 - Current
Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing focus in nursing education
Walden University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
South Carolina State University
Nursing licenses
- South Carolina 04/26
- California, 10/26
- Oregon, 07/26
- Hawaii, 01/26
- Minnesota 6/26
- Michigan 9/26
Awards
- 04/2020, Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award, University of South Carolina College of Nursing
- 01/2015, Palmetto Health Richland Daisy Award, Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses who exemplify values: Extraordinary Compassion, Respect, Excellence, Dignity, Integrity, and Teamwork in the work they do daily.
- 05/2021, Prisma Health Richland Daisy Award, Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses who exemplify values: Extraordinary Compassion, Respect, Excellence, Dignity, Integrity, and Teamwork in the work they do daily.
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