Lauren Thomas
Summary
Hardworking Post-Anesthesia Care RN with success providing individualized patient care. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of anesthesiology and employs critical care skills to assess incision sites, monitor airways, and track other indicators of stability or complications. Consistently conducts critical patient assessments with strong history of fast, accurate diagnoses during emergency. Works well with diverse patient populations and fosters trusting relationships to improve outcomes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, Preop and PACU
HCA Tristar, Centennial Medical Center
05.2025 - Current
- Perform comprehensive pre-operative assessments including history review, medication reconciliation, IV starts, and patient/family education for a wide range of orthopedic procedures
- Monitor patients in PACU recovering from general, MAC, regional and spinal anesthesia, focusing on pain control, hemodynamic stability, and early mobilization
- Responsible for discharging patients post-surgery, ensuring they meet discharge criteria to go to the floor or home
- Providing thorough discharge instructions, and coordinating with caregivers for safe transitions home
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure smooth transitions between surgical phases and maintain patient safety throughout the perioperative process
- Experience in charge nurse role by managing staffing assignments, providing clinical guidance, and acting as a resource for problem-solving and escalation
Registered Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
HCA Tristar, Skyline Medical Center
12.2023 - Current
- Relocated to Nashville and completing the same job duties as my previous position in the PACU at trauma facility
- Transitioned to PRN status March of 2024
Registered Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
St. Thomas Surgicare (USPI)
03.2024 - 08.2025
- Managed patients from recovery to discharge having medical or surgical procedures at an ambulatory surgery center in the specialties of ENT, general surgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pain management, plastics, podiatry, retina, and urology
- Educated patients on post-surgical self-care techniques to facilitate successful recoveries at home without complications
- Cross-trained in pre-op, pain management, and conscious sedation with ability to demonstrate adaptability when managing varying caseloads, ensuring timely completion of all required tasks
- Managed inventory and supply ordering to maintain optimal levels for daily operation needs for department
- Proactively identified potential areas for improvement within the department, collaborating with leadership to implement changes that increased efficiency and quality of care
Registered Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Ballad Health, Johnson City Medical Center
12.2021 - 12.2023
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures of all age populations from admission to discharge
- Evaluated patient pain, nausea, difficulty breathing, and fear/agitation in recovery room and employed various nursing interventions to manage vulnerabilities
- Delivered timely and effective physical, social, and emotional nursing care according to established standards
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management
- Operated critical care equipment, such as arterial lines and ventilators, to keep patients stable and promote recovery
- Updated patient charts with data to keep records current and support accurate treatments
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions
- Provided discharge education and instructions on new medications, disease processes, and making follow up appointments
- Orientation of new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols
Nurse Intern, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Ballad Health, Johnson City Medical Center
12.2020 - 11.2021
- Assisted nursing staff with daily cares such as feedings, diaper changes, and vital signs
- Maintained stringent hygiene standards of unit with disinfection and consistent restock of all equipment
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery
- Researched different diagnoses to become familiar with presentation and treatment protocols
Assistant Manager
Chick-fil-A
06.2016 - 08.2021
- Set and enforced performance and service standards to keep consistent, high-quality environment devoted to customer satisfaction
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality
- Performed shift change tasks each day to keep store efficient and neat
- Promoted customer loyalty by efficiently handling food and service complaints
Education
MBA - Healthcare
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN12.2023
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN12.2021
Skills
- Hard working and self-motivated
- Sound decision-making abilities
- Compassionate
- Strong interprofessional communication and teamwork
- Time management
- EPIC Charting
- Meditech Charting
- Inpatient Critical Care at Level 1 Trauma Centers (Both Hospitals) and ASC experience
Certification
- Current Tennessee Nursing License (Compact)
- BLS - Basic Life Support
- PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Preop and PACU
HCA Tristar, Centennial Medical Center
05.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
St. Thomas Surgicare (USPI)
03.2024 - 08.2025
Registered Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
HCA Tristar, Skyline Medical Center
12.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Ballad Health, Johnson City Medical Center
12.2021 - 12.2023
Nurse Intern, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Ballad Health, Johnson City Medical Center
12.2020 - 11.2021
Assistant Manager
Chick-fil-A
06.2016 - 08.2021
MBA - Healthcare
East Tennessee State University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
East Tennessee State University
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