Denise Meyer

Experienced Registered Nurse with a strong background in perioperative nursing, PACU recovery, pre-operative assessment, endoscopy, medical-surgical care, infection prevention, and clinical leadership. Skilled in caring for patients throughout the surgical continuum, including pre-operative admission, Phase I and Phase II recovery, discharge, and post-operative follow-up. Experienced in monitoring patients recovering from general anesthesia and moderate sedation, recognizing changes in condition, coordinating with surgeons and anesthesia providers, and maintaining safe, efficient patient flow in fast-paced ambulatory and hospital settings.

Proven ability to lead teams, prioritize competing clinical needs, and provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

Pre-Operative / PACU Registered Nurse | PACU Charge Nurse | Infection Prevention at Seattle Orthopedic Center / Proliance Surgeons (2019-04 – Present)

Multiple roles and tenure periods: August 2025–Present (current); February 2025–August 2025 (Per Diem); April 2019-June 2022 (previous period).

• Provide safe, high-quality nursing care throughout the perioperative continuum, including preoperative admission, Phase I recovery, Phase II recovery, discharge, and post-operative follow-up.
• Monitor and manage patients recovering from general anesthesia, assessing airway, vital signs, pain, nausea, and overall recovery status.
• Perform comprehensive pre-operative telephone assessments, evaluating medical history, medications, allergies, physical status, and psychological readiness for surgery.
• Conduct post-operative telephone assessments to evaluate recovery, identify complications or concerns, reinforce discharge instructions, and coordinate follow-up care.
• Serve as PACU Charge Nurse, supporting daily patient flow, prioritization, staffing needs, communication, and coordination of care in a high-volume ambulatory surgery environment.
• Recognize changes in patient condition and communicate effectively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, management, and interdisciplinary staff.
• Coordinate care for rapid patient turnover while maintaining safety, quality, accurate documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide compassionate psychological and physiological support to patients and families before and after surgical procedures.
• Serve in an Infection Prevention/Safety role, supporting departmental safety practices and monitoring radiation-safety requirements and ASC SIS Complete tracking.
• Demonstrate strong independent judgment, organization, flexibility, and ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.

Registered Nurse — Pre-Op / PACU / Endoscopy at Virginia Mason (2023-10 – 2025-08)

• Provided direct nursing care to surgical and endoscopy patients in pre-operative, Phase I, Phase II, and discharge settings.
• Monitored patients recovering from general anesthesia and moderate sedation, recognizing changes in condition and initiating appropriate interventions.
• Performed pre-operative assessments and admissions, including review of medications, allergies, medical history, and readiness for procedures.
• Provided safe moderate sedation care according to clinical protocols and patient-specific needs.
• Delivered patient and family education, emotional support, discharge teaching, and post-operative telephone follow-up.
• Collaborated closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, physicians, and interdisciplinary staff to ensure continuity and safety of care.
• Managed multiple patients and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accurate and complete documentation.
• Supported efficient patient throughput and rapid turnover while maintaining high standards of patient safety and quality.

Medical/Surgical Registered Nurse — Travel Contract, TotalMed at Modoc Medical Center (2022-07 – 2022-10)

• Performed comprehensive individualized patient assessments and prioritized care based on patient condition, clinical needs, and facility protocols.
• Recognized and communicated abnormal assessment findings to physicians and other members of the healthcare team.
• Documented patient assessments, responses to nursing interventions, and progress toward resolution of identified problems.
• Provided compassionate physical and psychological care to patients and families.
• Collaborated effectively with multiple departments while maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, accountability, and patient-centered care.

Registered Nurse / Charge Nurse at Transforming Age — Fred Lind Manor (2018-08 – 2019-04)

• Monitored resident health status and completed comprehensive assessments, service plans, pre-admission assessments, move-in assessments, and ongoing assessments in accordance with Washington State requirements.
• Led care conferences with residents, families/responsible parties, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Coordinated healthcare provider orders, follow-up, medication management, and communication with physicians.
• Served as shift Charge Nurse, delegating responsibilities to caregivers and medical technicians while maintaining quality and continuity of care.
• Recognized changes in resident condition and responded appropriately, communicating clinical concerns to physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Supported clinical compliance, documentation standards, resident safety, and regulatory requirements.

Licensed Practical Nurse at Transforming Age — Skyline Terraces (2018-02 – 2018-08)

• Assessed and documented resident health information and coordinated care with physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Oversaw and supported 2–3 clinical and support staff while maintaining professional standards and effective teamwork.
• Provided nursing care to residents with complex medical and cognitive conditions.
• Liaised between residents, families, physicians, and pharmacies to promote understanding and continuity of treatment.
• Delegated nursing responsibilities and supported medication management and prescription/refill coordination.
• Maintained HIPAA compliance and protected confidential patient information.

Associate of Arts & Sciences in Nursing – North Seattle College (2014-01 – 2018-12)

Licensed Practical Nursing Program in Nursing – North Seattle College

Registered Nursing Program in Nursing – North Seattle College