SUSAN E. PRESTGARD
Sandy,UT
Summary
Dedicated RN-BSN with 7.5 years of nursing experience in hospital settings, including charge roles in acute psychiatric and postpartum units. Former Nurse Corps Officer in the United States Navy, offering a strong foundation in leadership and mentorship as a preceptor for nursing students, Navy corpsmen, and registered nurses. Recognized for exceptional customer service skills and a compassionate bedside manner, ensuring patient-centered care at all times. Proficient in nursing documentation with hands-on experience using Cerner and Epic software. Experienced with patient care, critical thinking, and effective communication. Strong understanding of healthcare protocols and compassionate care delivery.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, Postpartum/Newborn Transition
HCA Healthcare, Lone Peak Hospital
01.2025 - Current
- Educates new mothers on breastfeeding techniques and infant care to foster confidence and promote health.
- Provides emotional support to patients experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety, connecting them with appropriate mental health resources as needed.
- Performs post-operative care for cesarean mothers.
- Prepares patients for discharge by offering comprehensive education on self-care, infant care, and follow-up appointments.
- Instructs families on newborn care techniques, including feeding, bathing, diapering, and comforting strategies.
- Conducts comprehensive assessments of both mother and newborn during each shift, identifying potential issues early for prompt intervention.
- Attends deliveries and assists with the newborn's transition, which includes resuscitation with a respiratory therapist when necessary, educating parents, administering newborn medications (Vitamin K, Hepatitis B, and erythromycin), performing detailed newborn admission assessments, obtaining measurements, and assessing early-onset sepsis risk and gestational age/growth.
- Charge Nurse on a 9-bed postpartum unit, supervise nursing staff to ensure optimal staffing levels, assist transition nurses during deliveries, and manage admissions and discharges to provide high-quality patient care.
RN, Inpatient Behavioral Health
Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital
10.2023 - 06.2024
- Worked with both adult and pediatric patients.
- Conducted thorough assessments of patients with psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, depression, and anxiety, while gathering relevant medical histories and collaborating with the healthcare team to develop comprehensive care plans.
- Formulated and implemented individualized treatment plans based on psychiatric assessments, working closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic approach to patient care.
- Administered prescribed psychotropic medications, monitored their effects, and educated patients on their medication regimens.
- Monitored and managed the use of restraints, ensuring patients' safety and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
- Entered nursing admission orders and additional orders as required in collaboration with healthcare providers.
- Fostered effective communication within the interdisciplinary team, providing updates on patient progress and behavior changes while addressing any legal concerns.
- Engaged in effective communication with family members to discuss patients' treatment plans, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills.
RN (Civilian), Inpatient Behavioral Health
DoD, U.S. Navy, Naval Medical Center
12.2017 - 07.2019
- Provided excellent nursing care to active-duty service members, veterans, and military dependents suffering from psychiatric disorders as well as other medical conditions.
- Assessed patients and formulated treatment plans for individuals with various psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, depression, and anxiety.
- Demonstrated effective communication skills and regularly collaborated with the interdisciplinary team regarding patient progress, changes in behavior, legal holds, medication management, and recommendations
- .Conducted detoxification assessments using scales such as the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) and the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS).
- Possessed familiarity with psychotropic medications and their administration, including knowledge of adverse effects and interactions.
- Exhibited expertise in patient safety and de-escalation techniques, including the prevention and management of disruptive behavior.
- As a charge nurse, responsibilities included monitoring bed status and potential admissions, discharge planning, ensuring safe staffing ratios based on patient acuity, and assisting other registered nurses with patient care
Active Duty RN, Maternal Infant Unit
DoD, U.S. Navy, Naval Medical Center
01.2016 - 09.2017
- Provided high-quality postpartum care to active-duty service members and their dependents. Daily nursing treatment plans included continuous postpartum and newborn assessments, monitoring vital signs and lab results.
- Skills included managing pain, providing post-operative care for cesarean section, administering intravenous therapy, recognizing and managing postpartum hemorrhages, and addressing neonatal emergencies.
- Assisted in lactation support and education for breastfeeding mothers.
- Demonstrated proficiency in adult and infant IV placement and obtaining lab draws.
- Served as a preceptor for new RN hires and corpsmen, contributing to their orientation and training process.
- Charge nurse for the unit while managing admissions and discharges, assisting nursing staff, and managing staff assignments, all while ensuring patient safety.
Active Duty RN, Inpatient Behavioral Health
DoD, U.S. Navy, Naval Medical Center
08.2013 - 01.2016
- Provided excellent nursing care to active-duty service members, veterans, and military dependents suffering from psychiatric disorders as well as other medical conditions.
- Assessed patients and formulated treatment plans for individuals with various psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, depression, and anxiety.
- Demonstrated effective communication skills and regularly collaborated with the interdisciplinary team regarding patient progress, changes in behavior, legal holds, medication management, and recommendations
- .Conducted detoxification assessments using scales such as the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) and the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS).
- Possessed familiarity with psychotropic medications and their administration, including knowledge of adverse effects and interactions.
- Exhibited expertise in patient safety and de-escalation techniques, including the prevention and management of disruptive behavior.
- As a charge nurse, responsibilities included monitoring bed status and potential admissions, discharge planning, ensuring safe staffing ratios based on patient acuity, and assisting other registered nurses with patient care
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
SALT LAKE CITY, UT05.2013
Accomplishments
- Served as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy Nurse Corps for 4 years.
- Charge nursing experience for both inpatient mental health and maternal infant units. Responsible for creating nurse assignments, managing bed status, ensuring appropriate staffing, supervised and guided other nurses with patient care.
- Demonstrated excellence in nursing documentation guidelines and proficiency in electronic health records as a clinical documentation champion.
- Awarded with achieving high reliability through robust process improvement with the implementation of a reducing healthcare costs while improving safe patient care.
- Awarded Employee of the Quarter in 2015 for outstanding performance and initiative.
.
Certification
- Active UT Registered Nurse License
- American Red Cross-BLS
- NRP Advanced Provider
- Maternal Newborn Nursing Care (MNNC) Course Certificate September 2023
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Postpartum/Newborn Transition
HCA Healthcare, Lone Peak Hospital
01.2025 - Current
RN, Inpatient Behavioral Health
Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital
10.2023 - 06.2024
RN (Civilian), Inpatient Behavioral Health
DoD, U.S. Navy, Naval Medical Center
12.2017 - 07.2019
Active Duty RN, Maternal Infant Unit
DoD, U.S. Navy, Naval Medical Center
01.2016 - 09.2017
Active Duty RN, Inpatient Behavioral Health
DoD, U.S. Navy, Naval Medical Center
08.2013 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH