Whitney Helms

Registered Nurse with 8+ years of progressive nursing experience across ICU step-down, medical-surgical neurology, ventilator care, rehabilitation, and long-term care leadership. Strong background in high-acuity clinical assessment, concurrent medical record review, documentation accuracy, interdisciplinary communication, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance. Experienced reviewing diagnoses, procedures, physician orders, clinical findings, medication records, and multidisciplinary documentation to identify inconsistencies, incomplete information, and changes in condition requiring clarification or follow-up.

Demonstrates strong critical thinking, decisive clinical judgment, and the ability to work independently in fast-paced environments. Proficient with EPIC, Cerner, eClinicalWorks, and Microsoft Office. Currently pursuing an MSN-FNP with expected graduation December 12, 2026.

Registered Nurse - Medical-Surgical Neuro Unit at Baptist Memorial Hospital (2022-06 – Present)

Provide high-acuity care for postoperative, stroke, and medically complex neurological patients, using detailed assessment findings to identify clinical changes requiring timely intervention or provider follow-up.

• Review physician orders, diagnoses, laboratory and imaging results, medication records, nursing documentation, and interdisciplinary notes to support accurate, coordinated patient care.
• Identify inconsistencies, incomplete information, changes in condition, and documentation concerns and communicate findings to physicians and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Perform and document focused neurological assessments, including Glasgow Coma Scale, seizure monitoring, and other unit-specific observations in accordance with clinical protocols.
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, therapists, case management, pharmacy, and nursing staff to reconcile clinical information and maintain complete, timely documentation.

Registered Nurse - ICU Step-Down Unit at Regional One Health (2021-02 – 2022-06)

Managed medically complex patients transitioning from intensive care, including cardiac, neurological, respiratory, and multisystem conditions requiring close surveillance and rapid clinical decision-making.

• Reviewed medical records, physician orders, diagnostic results, procedures, medication regimens, and patient-response trends to identify changes in condition and potential documentation or safety concerns.
• Monitored invasive lines, central venous access, cardiac status, respiratory support, and other high-acuity therapies while maintaining documentation accuracy and adherence to established protocols.
• Applied decisive clinical judgment to recognize subtle changes in patient status, escalate concerns to providers, respond to emergencies, and coordinate transfer to higher levels of care when indicated.

Ventilator Unit Manager - Registered Nurse at Collierville Nursing and Rehab (2020-10 – 2021-02)

Directed day-to-day clinical operations for a high-acuity ventilator unit, coordinating nursing, respiratory therapy, physician services, and interdisciplinary care.

• Conducted ongoing review of patient status, diagnoses, respiratory-care documentation, treatment plans, medications, and changes in condition during interdisciplinary rounds.
• Collaborated with physicians and respiratory therapists regarding ventilator management, weaning strategies, treatment response, and documentation of clinical changes.
• Provided staff education and competency support related to ventilator care, emergency response, documentation requirements, quality standards, and unit workflows.

Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) at Signature Healthcare of Memphis (2020-05 – 2020-10)

Supported clinical operations for a 120-bed long-term care facility, supervising RNs, LPNs, and CNAs while helping maintain regulatory and documentation standards.

• Participated in chart oversight, quality assurance, infection prevention, performance improvement, staffing coordination, and follow-up of clinical documentation concerns.
• Helped lead initiatives that improved clinical quality metrics and supported stronger CMS performance while reinforcing patient-safety and compliance standards.
• Assisted with EHR implementation and served as Acting Director of Nursing in the DON's absence, independently prioritizing clinical, regulatory, and operational issues.

Weekend RN Supervisor at Christian Care Center (2019-10 – 2020-05)

Provided weekend clinical leadership for long-term care and rehabilitation units, coordinating staffing, patient care, and escalation of urgent clinical concerns.

• Conducted rounds and reviewed changes in condition, new orders, and documentation completeness while reinforcing regulatory and facility requirements during off-hours.

Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in Nursing – University of Memphis (2026-12)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in Nursing – University of Memphis (2022-05)

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in Nursing – Southwest Tennessee Community College (2019-10)

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Program in Nursing – Tennessee College of Applied Technology (2017-06)