Susan Nisson Hicks

• Utilize critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
• Conduct patient assessments in the virtual environment to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and help to facilitate appropriate interventions when necessary.
• Monitor for side effects or adverse reactions from new medications that may require intervention.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
• Skillfully assist in managing challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
• Enhance patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
• Promote a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
• Provide support for patients and families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
• Advise patients and caregivers of discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
• Facilitate patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
• Advise and monitor Implementation of evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
• Educate family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
• Communicate with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
• Evaluate patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
• Explain course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
• Assist in monitoring patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
• Formulate care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
• Follow all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
• Facilitate therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
• Equip patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
• Leverage feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
• Investigate and help resolve issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.

• Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patient's acuity levels and individual needs.
• Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
• Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
• Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs for pre and post-op patients..
• Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
• Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
• Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions.
• Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
• Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
• Managed patients recovering from surgical procedures.
• Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
• Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
• Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
• Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
• Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
• Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management (orthopedic procedures), discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.

• Improved patient care by coordinating and streamlining processes within the department.
• Streamlined workflow processes through effective coordination of schedules, assignments, and resources.
• Supported patients'' families through education about treatment options, medications, coping strategies, community resources available to them.
• Reduced hospital readmission rates by developing comprehensive discharge plans and collaborating with healthcare professionals.
• Contributed to policy development, aligning procedures with regulatory requirements and best practices in healthcare.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans focused on patient-centered goals.
• Participated in quality assurance initiatives to monitor compliance with industry standards and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Consistently received positive feedback from patients, family members, and colleagues for exceptional patient care and interpersonal skills.
• Assisted in budget planning and resource allocation, contributing to efficient department operations.
• Promoted a culture of continuous learning by updating clinical knowledge on an ongoing basis.
• Communicated with patients, ensuring that medical information was kept private.
• Liaised with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive patient care plans and provide highest quality of care.
• Implemented successful healthcare program through professionalism, quality of care, medical teaching and patient satisfaction.
• Discussed medical histories with patients in effort to provide most effective medical advice.
• Spearheaded and implemented new projects to expand scope of engagement.

• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care, ensuring seamless communication between healthcare providers.
• Consistently maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Skillfully performed venipuncture, IV insertion, and catheterizations, ensuring proper technique and adherence to infection control standards.
• Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.
• Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
• Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
• Developed strong rapport with patients and families through active listening, empathy, and clear communication during challenging situations.
• Demonstrated flexibility in managing multiple priorities concurrently during high-stress periods while maintaining a calm demeanor.
• Managed caseload of 6-8 patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, and wound care.
• Implemented fall prevention strategies to minimize patient injuries and promote a safe environment within the medical-surgical unit.
• Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
• Monitored patient vital signs to perform thorough condition assessments.
• Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of medical-surgical nursing.
• Improved patient outcomes by providing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
• Managed patients' pain by implementing pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management interventions.
• Utilized EHR to document data related to patient care such as medications, interventions, and patient responses.
• Educated patients and family members on disease processes, treatment options, and self-care techniques.
• Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
• Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
• Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
• Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
• Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
• Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
• Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
• Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
• Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.

Med-Surg 1985-1990 at Southern Maryland Hospital (SMHC)

Nurse Manager-Med-Surg/ ortho 1990-1991 at SMHC

Intensive Care Unit RN-Holy Cross Hospital 1991-1992

Intensive Care Unit RN- SMHC 1992-2001

Interventional Radiology/ Cardiac Cath Unit RN-Doctor's Community Hospital 2001-2004

Coordinator for Cardiac Risk Reduction Program-SMHC-2004-2006

Staff RN (2006-2009) RN Coordinator (2009-2011) Diabetes Self-Management Education Program SMHC