Ruthie Crapps

Pending- Anticipated Start Date April, 2025.

• Monitored patient progress and adjusted treatments accordingly.
• Coordinated with physicians, specialists, and other medical staff to develop treatment plans for chronic conditions.
• Performed patient physicals and compared and contrasted results with established medical records to provide proper diagnosis and facilitate appropriate treatment.
• Educated and guided patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits to prevent Type-2 diabetes and other complications.
• Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.

• Coordinated referrals for specialty services and additional care.
• Coordinated with physicians, specialists, and other medical staff to develop treatment plans for chronic conditions.
• Educated and guided patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits.
• Assessed and treated a variety of Ear, Nose, and Throat conditions such as epistaxis, rhinosinusitis, otitis media, cerumen impactions, etc.
• Assessed and treated a variety of chronic medical conditions over the lifespan.
• Prescribed appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
• Provided preventive care such as well-child checks, adult physicals, and gynecological examinations.
• Utilized evidence-based and holistic approaches to care in family practice settings.
• Attended continuing education seminars and workshops to stay current with best practices.
• Performed minor surgical procedures, handling suturing and wound care.
• Performed extensive research and literature reviews concerning increasing efficiency in head and neck microvascular reconstruction.

• Educated patients about surgeries and provided treatment plan documentation.
• Expertly managed planning, scheduling, and coordination of outpatient procedures.
• Collated pre-operative lab and imaging results to facilitate surgery planning.
• Communicated surgery requirements to nursing teams for smooth operation delivery.
• Assisted in complex head and neck surgeries.

• Provide optimal bedside care to patients before, during, and after operations to reduce concerns and ensure patient safety/sterility.
• Pre-operative patient assessment to alleviate fears and empower patients. Ensure proper consents are obtained prior to operating. Ensure proper marking of correct site for surgery.
• Collect blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepare for lab testing.
• Precept newly hired nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols to optimize performance.
• Observe and anticipate surgeon and surgical technologists' needs during operations.
• Prepare quickly for emergent situations in order to save lives while maintaining safety and compliance.
• Peri-Op 101 certification.
• AORN Member

• Vigilantly manage and monitor the care of 4 acutely ill patients to include symptom recognition/prompt assessment. EKG interpretation, vasoactive drug administration, fluid resuscitation, and protocol administration for all medical emergencies.
• Deliver prompt care while triaging incoming patients using keen assessment skills. Assign acuity levels based on the Emergency Severity Index (ESI).Manage flow of patients through the entire department.
• Provide adult and pediatric advanced cardiac life support when necessary.
• Organize and manage the safe transfer of patients requiring additional services by means of helicopter and ground transport.
• Educate patients and family members of wound care, medication administration, follow up, and preventative care during discharge teaching.
• Collaborate with physicians to discuss plans of care and coordinate diagnostic tests and treatment plans.

• Managed the care of 3-4 acutely ill patients to include assessment, medication administration, evaluation of interventions, and discharge education.
• Triage Nurse managing patient flow through the emergency department and prompt evaluation/intervention of medical emergencies.
• Stroke Nurse Team Leader: responded to all potential stroke victims entering the emergency department and ensured core measures were met within time frames to maintain compliance and ensure positive outcomes.
• Results pending nurse: obtained labs, started lines, and monitored until beds were available for up to nine patients at a time.
• JCAHO interviewed for two hours to explain stroke emergency algorithm from door to discharge.
• Current ACLS, PALS, BLS, CCRN, and NIHSS

• Vigilantly managed the care of 1-2 critically ill patients that required hourly vital signs, intake/output, vasoactive medication titration, physical assessment, and prompt intervention if necessary.
• Direct care of trauma victims resulting from gunshot wounds, motor vehicle accidents, boating accidents, and other trauma related events.
• Direct care of fresh liver transplants, organ donation patients, and ENT Free-Flap patients.
• Administered Leech Therapy, Performed Continuous Venovenous Replacement Therapy and assisted with bedside surgery when necessary.
• Initiated and administered Massive Fluid and Blood Resuscitation.
• Obtained CCRN and TNS certifications.
• Managed External Ventricular Drains, Arterial Lines, Swan Ganz Catheters, Ventilator care, and other invasive monitoring equipment.
• Trained and Oriented new nurses and student nurses.
• Shared Governance Member
• Bedside Report Team Leader: Highly Recognizable Organization (HRO), MUSC Point of Contact. Instituted bedside hand off and gathered data to assess patient outcomes when report was given in their presence vs not. Goal Met: Increased patient satisfaction and decreased hand-off errors.

• Managed the care of 3-4 Neurology or Neurosurgery patients. Generally requiring hourly neurological monitoring.
• Served as a charge nurse for the night shift. Helped a staff of 15 handle tasks and take excellent care of patients.
• Patient population for this unit was generally the under served public without health insurance or means of preventative health measures.
• Administered TPA and monitored for acute bleeding post treatment.
• Vasoactive drip administration to manage blood pressure parameters in patients with acute head bleeds.
• Completed New Graduate residency program.
• Earned MUSC Employee of the Month for helping the homeless acquire clothing and personal essentials.
• Obtained certification in Neuroscience: CNRN
• Obtained certification in Stroke Assessment. NIHSS certified.
• Shared Governance Member