Melissa Gonzalez
Crown Point
Summary
Dedicated Registered Nurse specializing in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), emphasizing patient assessment and interdisciplinary collaboration. Skilled in Epic EHR and evidence-based patient education, delivering safe, high-quality care while fostering open communication with patients and families. Effectively manages pain control techniques to enhance recovery for post-operative patients.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PACU Registered Nurse
St. Mary’s Medical Center
Crown Point
12.2022 - Current
- Administer pre- and post-operative medications, monitor vital signs, and evaluate patient recovery to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Provide wound care, pain management, and post-anesthesia monitoring in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and multidisciplinary teams for seamless and safe transitions of care.
- Perform comprehensive pre-operative assessments and prepare patients for surgical procedures.
- Educate patients and families on post-operative expectations and home-care instructions to enhance recovery and understanding.
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation in Epic EHR while upholding HIPAA and safety standards.
- Offer emotional support to patients and families during vulnerable perioperative moments.
Medical Assistant
Lakeshore Bone and Joint
07.2021 - 03.2022
- Assisted with wound care and orthopedic procedures while ensuring adherence to infection-control standards.
- Provided patient education to enhance understanding and ensure a supportive clinical experience.
- Prepared patient charts and reviewed treatment plans to support efficient clinic operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Purdue University Northwest
12-2026
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Rasmussen University
12-2022
Certified Medical Assistant -
Jeremi Institute
06-2021
Skills
- Post-Anesthesia Care
- Post-operative care protocols
- Patient assessment
- Clinical Assessment & Critical Thinking
- Rapid Clinical Assessment
- Medication administration
- Discharge planning
- Care coordination
- Emergency response
- Epic Electronic Health Records
- Epic EHR
- HIPAA Compliance
- Critical Care Support
- Patient Education & Advocacy
Certification
- Registered Nurse (RN), Indiana
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- NIH Stroke Scale Certification
Technical And Clinical Skills
- Epic EHR
- Post-operative care protocols
- Emergency response and rapid clinical judgment
- Patient and family communication
- Critical care nursing exposure
- HIPAA-compliant communication platforms (Teams, Zoom)
- Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
- Ability to thrive in high-pressure, fast-paced environments
Timeline
PACU Registered Nurse
St. Mary’s Medical Center
12.2022 - Current
Medical Assistant
Lakeshore Bone and Joint
07.2021 - 03.2022
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Purdue University Northwest
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Rasmussen University
Certified Medical Assistant -
Jeremi Institute