Lezli Cline
HCA Florida Defuniak Springs Freestanding ER
DeFuniak Springs
1
Certification
31
years of professional experience
Accomplished Registered Nurse with more than 30 years of progressive clinical and leadership experience spanning emergency medicine, flight nursing, critical care, PACU, labor & delivery, and float pool practice. Recognized for calm leadership, exceptional clinical judgment, and the ability to manage high-acuity patients while mentoring multidisciplinary teams. Brings extensive expertise in trauma, stroke, emergency stabilization, quality improvement, and patient safety. Seeking a remote clinical role where decades of frontline experience, documentation excellence, and leadership can support patients, providers, and organizational outcomes.
Work History
Charge Nurse (Full-Time)
8 Months- Administered medications and monitored patient responses, ensuring adherence to treatment plans.
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure patient care standards and safety protocols were met.
- Coordinated daily operations of emergency department, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized patient care strategies.
- Managed documentation and compliance with regulatory requirements for emergency services.
- Facilitated communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to enhance satisfaction and understanding.
- Served as a liaison between nursing staff, physicians, and management, fostering open communication channels among all parties involved in patient care.
Emergency Department RN /Staff Relief Charge Nurse
1 Year 2 Months- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive emergency care in high-pressure situations.
- Administered medications and treatments per established protocols to ensure patient safety and comfort.
- Assisted in triaging patients based on severity of conditions, optimizing workflow efficiency in the department.
- Documented patient care accurately in electronic health records to maintain compliance and enhance communication.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives focused on enhancing patient outcomes and departmental processes.
- Provided mentorship to new nursing staff, fostering an environment of learning and professional growth within the team.
- Participated in ongoing education programs to maintain knowledge of best practices for emergency nursing care.
- Served as a preceptor for new nursing staff, fostering professional development and enhancing clinical skills.
- Consistently exceeded performance metrics related to quality of care delivery, time management, and customer service within the emergency department.
Registered Nurse, PACU
2 Years 1 Month- Administered medications and IV therapies accurately, adhering to safety protocols and best practices.
- Monitored patient vitals post-anesthesia, ensuring rapid response to changes in condition.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for optimal recovery outcomes.
- Educated patients and families on postoperative care, enhancing understanding of recovery processes.
- Streamlined discharge processes, reducing wait times and improving overall patient satisfaction scores.
- Enhanced patient safety during transfers to other units by providing handoff communication that accurately conveyed critical information about the patient's condition, potential risks, and ongoing treatment plans.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between surgical units through timely communication with preoperative and surgical suite staff regarding patient needs and status updates.
RN, Emergency Department
4 Years 5 Months- Administered critical care interventions in high-pressure emergency situations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes and streamline care processes.
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments to identify immediate medical needs and prioritize treatments.
- Mentored junior nursing staff on emergency protocols and best practices for patient management.
- Implemented evidence-based practices to enhance quality of care and reduce response times in emergencies.
- Trained staff on the use of advanced medical equipment and technology for efficient patient monitoring.
- Developed and maintained emergency department protocols to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.
Registered Nurse, Float Pool
7 Months- Managed patient care processes in ED, ICU, labor & delivery, mother/baby, and med-surg environments. Oversaw multidisciplinary coordination to ensure high standards of care during patient transitions. Led initiatives to improve patient satisfaction and safety in diverse healthcare settings.
- Administered medications and monitored vital signs to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Trained and mentored new nursing staff on best practices and protocols.
- Increased efficiency in the Float Pool by effectively prioritizing tasks and managing time across multiple units.
Flight Nurse / Base Lead
11 Years 11 Months- Administered advanced life support and critical care during aeromedical transport.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop patient-centered care plans.
- Streamlined communication processes between ground and air medical teams for optimal patient outcomes.
- Supervised enplaning, securing and deplaning of patients and liaised between medical and operational aircrews and support personnel to facilitate multidisciplinary care.
- Ensured comprehensive documentation of patient interactions, treatments, assessments, and outcomes for accurate recordkeeping and continuity of care.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, and make decisions.
RN, Emergency Department
10 Years 4 Months- Led quality improvement initiatives that enhanced patient satisfaction and operational efficiency in the department.
- Maintained accurate documentation and communicated efficiently with physicians, ensuring timely diagnoses and treatment interventions.
- Improved patient safety by consistently monitoring vital signs, recognizing changes in status, and initiating appropriate interventions.
- Assisted physicians with complex diagnostic procedures, including lumbar punctures, central line placements, chest tube insertion, among others.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient safety, satisfaction, and overall Emergency Department efficiency.
- Acted as a patient advocate by effectively communicating their needs to the healthcare team and ensuring appropriate follow-up care was arranged.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
High School Diploma
Skills
Clinical Leadership & Charge Nurse Experience
Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
Flight Nursing & Critical Care Transport
Clinical Documentation & Medical Record Review
Care Coordination & Patient Advocacy
Trauma
Stroke & Emergency Response
Quality Improvement & Patient Safety
MEDITECH & EXPANSE Electronic Health Record (EHR)
Regulatory Compliance & Evidence-Based Practice
Critical Thinking & Clinical Decision-Making
Certification
· Florida Registered Nurse License (Active)
· ACLS
· BLS
· PALS
· NRP (Advanced Provider)
· TNCC
· NIH Stroke Scale
· STABLE Program
· ALS (American Red Cross)
Timeline
Charge Nurse (Full-Time)
HCA Florida Defuniak Springs Freestanding ER
11.2025 - CurrentRead More
Emergency Department RN /Staff Relief Charge Nurse
Twin Cities Hospital
09.2024 - 11.2025Read More
Registered Nurse, PACU
Fort Walton Destin Hospital
08.2022 - 09.2024Read More
RN, Emergency Department
Twin Cities Hospital
03.2018 - 08.2022Read More
Registered Nurse, Float Pool
Sacred Heart Health System
08.2017 - 03.2018Read More
Flight Nurse / Base Lead
Lifesaver/Airmethods
09.2005 - 08.2017Read More
RN, Emergency Department
Gadsden Regional Medical Center
05.1995 - 09.2005Read More
Southside High School
High School Diploma
Read More
Gadsden State Community College
Associate of Science from Nursing
Read More