S. Elyse Foster
Madison,AL
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse with over 11 years of experience in patient care and team collaboration. Charge Nurse in a cardiac step-down unit for 6 years, complemented by 2 years on a COVID unit. Skilled in data analysis and documentation, leveraging a master's degree in history. Strong patient advocate with effective communication and problem-solving abilities.
Overview
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Charge Nurse, Surgical Floor
Madison Hospital
Madison, AL
06.2026 - Current
- Directed surgical floor nursing assignments, balancing patient acuity with staff skill mix.
- Coordinated admission, discharge, and transfer workflows to maintain steady patient flow.
- Supervised bedside care, reinforcing compliance with physician orders and care plans.
- Trained nurses on post-operative protocols, documentation standards, and unit procedures.
- Monitored patient status, escalating changes promptly and initiating appropriate interventions.
- Collaborated with surgeons, anesthesiology, and ancillary departments to resolve care delays.
- Reviewed medication administration and charting for accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
- Managed staffing adjustments, responded to urgent unit needs, and supported safe clinical operations.
- Mentored new nurses, facilitating smooth transition into their roles while fostering teamwork and professional growth.
- Promoted a culture of safety, implementing protocols to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections on the surgical floor.
- Streamlined communication among healthcare team members, utilizing electronic health record systems for accurate documentation and information sharing.
- Fostered an inclusive working environment, promoting open communication channels among staff members to address concerns or suggestions promptly.
- Served as a liaison between physicians, patients, and families for effective communication of treatment plans and progress updates.
Charge Nurse
Huntsville Hospital
Huntsville, Alabama
06.2020 - Current
- Oversees a 25-bed cardiac unit with a staff of 7 nurses and 2 patients care techs.
- Became charge nurse after unit was converted from a cardiac unit to a COVID unit
- Coordinated with house supervisors and other hospital departments in transferring patients throughout the hospital based on acute needs
- Guided nurses in acquiring new skills, including Optiflow and BIPAP management, to enhance patient care capabilities
- Guided staff through ever changing policies and procedures during COVID
- Conducted yearly evaluations of employees.
- Provided support and education for new staff as they maneuvered changing between cardiac and COVID nursing
- Organized activities to boost staff morale and foster a positive work environment
- As a cardiac charge nurse being well versed in cardiac disease and management of critical patients
- Advocated for patients and staff during critical situations
- Understands hospital policies and procedures and helps others understand them in order to keep patients safe
- Performed all duties outlined for the staff registered nurse role.
Staff Registered Nurse
Huntsville Hospital
Huntsville, Alabama
01.2015 - Current
- Monitor patients after heart catheterization, placement of pacemakers, provide care for patients before going for CABG, and those patients with CHF
- Monitor telemetry and able to recognize deadly heart rhythms
- Provided patient care and education to enhance understanding and promote recovery
- Responds accordingly to patients undergoing a sudden life-threatening emergency
- Monitored patients post-heart catheterization and pacemaker placement, ensuring comprehensive care for those preparing for CABG and managing CHF
- Collaborate with physicians/CRNPs by alerting them to changes in patient status
- Provide patient care and teaching
- Interact with family members by educating them and helping to calm them in stressful times
- Gained valuable experience as relief charge nurse, ensuring smooth operations and effective team coordination.
- Guided and taught new nurses during orientation to facilitate smooth integration into the unit
Education
Master of Arts - History
University of Alabama At Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama12-2024
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Alabama At Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama05-2021
Associate of Science - Nursing
Calhoun Community College
Decatur, Al12-2014
Skills
- Clinical Training
- Patient advocacy
- Clinical instruction
- Employee training
- Mentoring
- Leadership
- Team management
- Personnel Management
- Time management
- Organizational skills
- Issue resolution
- Communication skills
- Critical Thinking
- Work planning
Certification
Multistate Registered Nursing License, BLS – expiration 07/2027, ACLS – expiration 07/2027
Personal Information
Title: BSN, RN
Timeline
Charge Nurse, Surgical Floor
Madison Hospital
06.2026 - Current
Charge Nurse
Huntsville Hospital
06.2020 - Current
Staff Registered Nurse
Huntsville Hospital
01.2015 - Current
Master of Arts - History
University of Alabama At Huntsville
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Alabama At Huntsville
Associate of Science - Nursing
Calhoun Community College