Traci Woods, MSN, RN

• Multiple surgical specialties: Provided comprehensive nursing care across plastics, orthopedics, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and general surgery (including appendectomy, facelifts, ACDF, total joints, hand/foot surgeries, injections, and more).
• Pre-op, intra-op, and PACU: Delivered patient care before, during, and after procedures, prepping patients, assisting intraoperatively (including sedation), and recovering patients post-anesthesia with strong airway and pain management skills.
• Interim Charge Nurse: Frequently assigned as charge nurse or clinical lead during staff absences, overseeing daily operations, supporting staff, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Performed daily environment checks (humidity, temperature, crash cart readiness, emergency supplies), maintained accurate logs, and responded to compliance issues per ASC/Joint Commission standards.
• Managed patient flow, coordinated OR schedules, and delegated assignments.
• Clinic & center set-up: Helped launch new ASC-trained staff, established workflows, and implemented policies.
• Procedures & protocols: Skilled with IV/central line starts, medication/sedation administration, wound care, documentation, and emergency response.
• Team player: Collaborated with surgeons, anesthesia, techs, and administrative staff to ensure safe, efficient, high-quality care in fast-paced environments.

• Delivered high-acuity nursing care for orthopedic and trauma patients, including pre- and post-op assessment, pain management, wound care, and discharge education.
• Coordinated multidisciplinary rounds and advocated for complex patient needs, ensuring safe care transitions.
• Floated between assignments with minimal orientation; adapted quickly to fast-paced environments.
• Trained new travelers and float nurses on Grady’s charting systems and floor protocols.
• Assessed patient conditions by taking vital signs and evaluating symptoms to determine appropriate treatment.
• Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.

Provided comprehensive nursing care in a high-volume Clinical Decision Unit, managing pre- and post-operative patients undergoing procedures such as hysterectomies, TURPs, appendectomies, and cholecystectomies (gallbladder removals).

Conducted thorough pre-surgical assessments, patient education, and coordinated preparation for operating room transfer.

Monitored surgical patients during recovery and managed acute symptoms and complications, including pain, nausea, and early post-op issues.

Delivered care for a growing population of complex cases, including oncology patients and those requiring extended observation prior to admission or discharge.

Collaborated with surgical, anesthesia, and hospitalist teams to expedite patient flow and optimize clinical outcomes.

Floated as needed to the Emergency Room, adapting quickly to diverse patient populations and emergent situations.

Maintained accurate documentation, ensured compliance with hospital protocols, and provided compassionate, patient-centered care throughout the perioperative continuum.

• Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.

• Provided nursing care delivery for the facility's infirmary and acute psychiatric units, serving an adult incarcerated population with complex medical and behavioral health needs.
• Supervised and scheduled nursing staff (RNs, LPNs, medical assistants) across multiple shifts, ensuring 24/7 coverage, staff competency, and compliance with Wellpath, state, and Department of Corrections standards.
• Conducted clinical assessments, triaged urgent medical and psychiatric cases, and coordinated care with on-site and off-site physicians, mental health providers, and security staff.
• Oversaw medication administration, wound care, chronic disease management, and psychiatric observation for patients in the infirmary and segregation.
• Led crisis interventions, suicide prevention protocols, and emergency response for acute behavioral health situations and medical codes within the facility.
• Developed, implemented, and audited infection control practices and quality improvement initiatives to reduce adverse events and regulatory risk.
• Maintained accurate EMR documentation and prepared reports for interdisciplinary teams, regulatory reviews, and court/DOJ audits.
• Acted as facility nurse manager, participating in multidisciplinary team meetings, policy development, staff education, and new hire orientation.

Developed individualized care plans for patients with mental illness, substance use disorders, and behavioral health needs.

• Coordinated with psychiatrists, therapists, and social workers to optimize patient outcomes.
• Provided crisis intervention, education, and supportive counseling
• Led support groups and facilitated patient education workshops.
• Assessed patient health status, identifying needs for medical intervention and resource allocation. Case load 20-30 clients /month.
• Managed complex cases involving multiple comorbidities, requiring close monitoring and coordination of various healthcare services.
• Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.

• Supervised clinical staff and managed daily CDU operations for patients awaiting admission or discharge.
• Trained and mentored new staff on unit protocols and documentation.
• Served as a liaison between nursing staff, physicians, and management, fostering open communication channels among all parties involved in patient care.
• Championed a positive work culture by recognizing exemplary performance from team members and addressing conflicts promptly when they arose.
• Managed staffing schedules, ensuring adequate coverage while minimizing overtime expenses.
• Participated in quality improvement initiatives, contributing to the development of best practices within the department.

• Floated to ICU, step-down, and telemetry units, delivering care to high-acuity cardiac, neuro, and multi-system patients.
• Provided rapid assessments, code response, and post-op management.
• Oriented and mentored agency and new graduate nurses.
• Delivered high-level quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
• Quickly responded to situations impacting the safety and security of the unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
• Supervised nursing staff to ensure adherence to best practices and patient care standards.

• Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
• Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
• Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
• Supervised nursing staff to ensure compliance with healthcare protocols and best practices.
• Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
• Assisted in training new telemetry nurses, acting as a resource for questions or concerns throughout their orientation period.

• Delivered advanced telephonic case management for oncology patients prescribed Genentech’s targeted therapy drugs, including Herceptin, Avastin, and Xeloda.
• Studied and maintained expert-level knowledge of clinical trial data, drug mechanisms, and potential side effects for multiple biologic and chemotherapeutic agents.
• Interpreted and communicated complex clinical trial information to patients and caregivers, providing education on medication action, expected results, and risk management.
• Recognized and assessed adverse drug reactions; identified symptoms that might be linked to medication side effects or clinical trial findings.
• Reported all FDA-mandated adverse events and patient-reported side effects directly through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting Portal, ensuring full compliance and patient safety.
• Supported patient adherence by explaining treatment protocols, potential interactions, and self-care strategies for symptom management.
• Acted as a knowledgeable resource for patients, family members, and healthcare providers on Genentech oncology products and clinical support services.
• Assisted with insurance navigation and connected patients to Genentech support programs to minimize barriers to care.
• Maintained meticulous records in compliance with HIPAA and regulatory standards.

• Provided highly specialized nursing care on a 30- to 40-bed bone marrow transplant unit for patients diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and other hematologic malignancies.
• Managed the immediate initiation of high-dose chemotherapy, including PICC line placement and care, as well as post-transplant monitoring for critical complications.
• Delivered expert care for neutropenic, immunocompromised, and critically ill patients, addressing conditions such as neutropenic fever, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) affecting the skin and gastrointestinal tract, and other post-transplant complications.
• Maintained strict aseptic techniques and infection control within a negative-pressure, closed unit, which included proper gowning, scrubbing in, and implementing environmental controls.
• Administered blood products, immunosuppressants, and emergency medications, closely monitoring patients for infusion reactions and rapid changes in their condition.
• Provided post-mortem care and compassionate support to families during end-of-life situations.
• Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists, and multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient safety, improve outcomes, and provide psychosocial support throughout the transplant process.
• Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.

• Provided comprehensive nursing care as a float pool RN across multiple high-acuity units, including Plastics, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Liver/Kidney Transplant, Post-Surgical, Renal, Psychiatry, and Inpatient Rehabilitation.
• Adapted quickly to diverse clinical environments and specialty teams, managing patient loads of 4 to 5:1 in a large academic medical center.
• Delivered direct patient care for complex post-surgical and transplant patients, including wound management, hemodynamic monitoring, pain control, and psychosocial support.
• Utilized Cerner EMR for documentation, care planning, and interdisciplinary communication.
• Supported unit readiness and best practices as Emory pursued initial Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence.
• Maintained high standards of safety, infection control, and patient education in every assignment.