Mary Carlynn Appelt
Warner Robins
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with 21 years of experience in direct patient care of normal newborn, intermediate care newborns and NICU patients. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle critical care neonates and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with parents and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service. Works well with diverse populations and promotes patient safety. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Professional with strong background in nursing leadership, focused on delivering high-quality patient care and operational efficiency. Expertise in team collaboration, staff development, and resource management. Known for adaptability and achieving results in dynamic healthcare settings. Proficient in clinical skills, patient advocacy, and regulatory compliance.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Manager-Pediatrics, Postpartum, and Nursery
Houston Healthcare
03.2024 - Current
- Led staff meetings to keep team informed of departmental changes and provide opportunities for nurses to share ideas and concerns.
- Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback to support professional growth of nursing staff members.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Managed budgets and controlled costs, achieving financial targets without compromising patient care quality.
- Supervised, directed, and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Developed and implemented quality improvement initiatives to provide best possible patient care and identify and address areas of concern.
- Monitored clinical outcomes closely, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
- Coordinated staffing resources during times of high patient acuity or census fluctuations to maintain optimal nurse-to-patient ratios.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
Registered Nurse, NICU
Houston Healthcare
01.2024 - 03.2024
- Assisted with complex medical procedures such as intubation, lumbar punctures, and umbilical line placements under physician supervision.
- Maintained a safe and clean environment by adhering to infection control policies, proper equipment handling, and waste disposal procedures.
- Promoted family-centered care by providing education, support, and resources to parents of NICU patients.
- Advocated for patient rights and needs, ensuring a patient-centered approach to care delivery within the NICU setting.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop individualized plans of care for premature and critically ill neonates.
- Enhanced patient care by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and protocols in the NICU setting.
Registered Nurse, Nursery/NICU
South Georgia Medical Center
06.2005 - 12.2023
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated families and caregivers on how to care for newborn. Education provided and demonstrated how to adequately care for preterm infant after discharge. Assessed caregivers understanding of the information provided.
- Collected blood, urine, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Advised caregivers of appropriate newborn care, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as CPAP, vapotherm, and nasal cannula.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients in the nursery/NICU, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, technicians, and unit clerks.
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education.
- Provided clinical instructions to orient new nurses and potential student nurses to achieve training outcomes.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO/CMS accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to parents/caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients/neonates.
- 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.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging situations, involving sick/preterm infants.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Performed frequent checks on medical equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
Patient Care Technician/Nurse Intern, Nursery/NICU
South Georgia Medical Center
06.2002 - 06.2005
- Maintained clean and safe environment to promote patient safety and comfort.
- Answered parents' request for assistance, assessed needs, and offered qualified support.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional needs/requirements.
- Obtained patient vital signs and reported results to staff nurse or physician, noting changes from prior measurements.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Assisted in transferring patients, bassinet/isolette and patient care equipment to other rooms adhering to necessary safety precautions.
- Responded to patient emergencies with immediate care and notified clinicians to provide comprehensive assistance.
- Organized and replenished unit supplies to maintain team readiness for expected demands.
- Collected and transported specimens to prepare for lab testing.
- Supported patient admissions, discharges, and transfers to promote team productivity.
- Educated parents and families on proper care and treatment to facilitate successful home care.
- Changed linens in rooms, keeping spaces fresh and clean for patient health and satisfaction.
- Documented patient information and care activities in electronic health record.
- Assisted nursing staff with completing daily rounds, documenting vital signs and answering calls.
- Upheld infection control and prevention policies across different patient-facing areas.
- Reduced risks of patient infection and cross-contamination by cleaning and sterilizing equipment.
- Observed patients under care conditions to help identify symptoms, responses to treatments and progress with goals.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Valdosta State University
05.2005
High School Diploma -
Valdosta High School
05.2001
Skills
- Care Planning
- Chart Updating
- Vaccine Administration
- ADL Assistance
- Critical Care/NICU
- Supply Restocking
- Lab Result Interpretation
- Precepting
- Medical Assessment
- Patient Management
- Nursing Staff Leadership
- Appointment Scheduling
- Emergency Response
- Data Collection
- Patient and Family Advocacy
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Licensed RN
- Home Care
- Professional Bedside Manner
- Setting up Referrals
- Emotional Awareness
- Oxygen Saturation Standards (NRP guidelines)
- Intravenous Therapy (PIV/UVC/UAC)
- At-Risk Patient Care
- Infection Control Measures
- Relationship Building
- Medication Administration
- Feeding Pumps Understanding
- Family Education
- Care Plan Development
- Infant Vitals Monitoring
- Newborn Care
- Collecting Vitals
- Patient Assessment
- Medication Distribution
- Preventive Health
- Admission and Discharge
- Breastfeeding Education
- Employee Evaluation
- Emergency Procedures (Emergent UVC insertion)
- Direct Patient Care
- Maintaining Privacy
- Acute Care Expertise/NICU
- Treatment Planning
- Staff supervision
- Quality improvement
- Critical thinking
- Department management
- Policy development
- Staff leadership
- Hiring and terminations
- Clinical supervision
- Staff development
- Conflict management
- Performance improvement
- Budget planning
- Budget management
- Compliance oversight
- Task delegation
- Deadline management
- Case review
- Multitasking and organization
Accomplishments
- Training - Trained multiple, newly hired nursery/NICU staff nurses in various nursing procedures to ensure consistent quality of care. Trained nursing students from various local college nursing programs.
- Supervision - Leader in creating and implementing process improvement plans for nursery/NICU. Chairman of the NURSERY/NICU Unit based council
- Documentation - Ensured charting accuracy through precise documentation. Developed "near miss" documentation for EPIC program.
- Patient Advocacy - Explained treatment procedures, medication risks, special diets and physician instructions to parents prior to infant's discharge.
- Retention and Recruitment Committee Member
- Daisy Award Nominations (2)
- Above and Beyond Awards (3)
- Committee member for Nurses Week activities and gifts
Certification
Stable (current)
NRP (current)
CPR (current)
Timeline
Nurse Manager-Pediatrics, Postpartum, and Nursery
Houston Healthcare
03.2024 - Current
Registered Nurse, NICU
Houston Healthcare
01.2024 - 03.2024
Registered Nurse, Nursery/NICU
South Georgia Medical Center
06.2005 - 12.2023
Patient Care Technician/Nurse Intern, Nursery/NICU
South Georgia Medical Center
06.2002 - 06.2005
High School Diploma -
Valdosta High School
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Valdosta State University
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