Connie Nelson

• Internal OR RN Float Nurse - Northern Colorado Region
• Enhanced patient safety by diligently monitoring surgical procedures and anticipating surgeon's needs.
• Reduced risk of infection by maintaining a sterile environment and following proper protocols during surgeries.
• Increased efficiency in the operating room by effectively managing surgical supplies, instruments, and equipment.
• Support improved patient outcomes with thorough nursing assessments and collaboration with the surgical team for comprehensive plans of care.
• Support successful complex surgical procedures with teamwork collaboration, effective multitasking, and open communication between surgeons, anesthesia providers, and other team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
• Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
• Streamlined operating room processes by staying up-to-date on new technologies and techniques in perioperative nursing practices and reporting on the effectiveness of surgical equipment, supplies, and instruments to ensure optimal functionality during procedures.
• Recorded observations, patient assessments and progress and physician's orders, using EMR [Software].

• MCR - (Level 1 Trauma) - Same as above. Internal OR RN Float Nurse - Northern Colorado Region at all three UCHealth campuses. Proficient in all service lines – specializing in orthopedics -total joints, robotics, general, urology, and gynecology.

Level 3 Facility - Same as above. Internal OR RN Float Nurse - Northern Colorado Region at all three UCHealth campuses.

• Identified opportunities to improve clinical practices, devised strategies and implemented plans to increase patient care standards and enhance operational procedures.
• Reviewed operational policies and recommended solutions and communicated effectively with staff members, physicians, and patients, employing active listening and interpersonal skills.
• Analyzed problematic areas to provide recommendations and solutions to streamline clinical operations, implementing efficient processes and targeted solutions to increase productivity.
• Prepared presentations to explain revisions, enhancements and process improvements of organization's systems and programs.
• Streamlined processes to enhance team efficiency and improve overall project outcomes.
• Developed and collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients, improving treatment outcomes.
• Implemented innovative technologies and key performance indicators to enhance data-driven decision making in operations management.
• Enhanced staff productivity through effective training programs and performance management strategies.
• Reduced operational expenses by optimizing resource allocation and managing budgets prudently.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients, improving treatment outcomes.

• In addition to direct patient care nursing role, served as a mentor to new and experienced nursing staff, providing guidance, support, and expertise throughout their professional growth.
• Championed continuous improvement initiatives resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings for clinical projects.
• Championed the adoption of evidence-based practices within the operating room, driving quality improvements in patient care.
• Communicated effectively with team members, physicians, and patients, employing active listening and interpersonal skills.
• Developed strong relationships with key vendors, ensuring timely delivery of essential supplies and equipment for surgical procedures.
• Implemented innovative inventory management strategies that reduced waste and optimized resource utilization in the operating room.
• Evaluated existing clinical processes to identify opportunities for improvement, resulting in optimized workflows and enhanced patient outcomes.
• Collaborated with hospital administration to develop strategic plans for expansion or renovation of operating room facilities.
• Led cross-functional teams to successfully devise strategic plans for the successful execution of multiple simultaneous clinical projects, achieving organizational objectives within specified timeframes.
• Oversaw contract negotiation and vendor selection for clinical projects, securing cost-effective solutions without compromising quality or timelines.
• Participated in quality improvement initiatives that led to measurable improvements in key performance indicators for the operating room department.
• Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians, and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
• Enhanced patient care by implementing clinical informatics systems and optimizing workflows for healthcare professionals.
• Improved data accuracy by standardizing data input methods, ensuring consistent documentation across all supporting departments.
• Led the successful transition to a new EHR system, minimizing disruption to patient care and maintaining seamless operations throughout the organization.
• Increased staff efficiency by providing comprehensive training on clinical informatics systems and supporting ongoing education efforts.
• Identified opportunities to improve clinical practices, devised strategies and implemented plans to increase patient care standards and enhance operational procedures.

• Reviewed project scope, required materials and labor pricing to develop competitive bids by working effectively with contractors, subcontractors, engineers and architects.
• Managed construction schedules to achieve maximum cost effectiveness by providing value engineering for construction means and methods.
• Verified completed projects met approved time, quality, and cost estimates.
• Kept detailed track of daily progress and productivity and analyzed data to identify and correct holdups.
• Supervised day-to-day activities of contractors to promote productivity and efficient use of resources, maintaining on-time and under-budget project delivery.