Susan I. Melso
Pottstown
Summary
Registered Nurse with extensive experience in school nursing. Excelling in crisis intervention and health assessment. Proven ability to educate patients and families, fostering recovery and compliance. Adept at collaborating with educators to develop individual health plans, ensuring comprehensive care for diverse populations. Committed to enhancing patient outcomes through compassionate support.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Woods Services
Langhorne
11.2023 - Current
- Provided comprehensive nursing care to patients with a variety of mental health issues.
- Monitored medications for effectiveness and side effects, providing education about medication use to patients and families.
- Established trusting relationships with clients by maintaining professional boundaries while being empathetic towards their needs.
- Initiated crisis intervention when necessary to de-escalate situations or provide emotional support for individuals in distress.
- Referred patients to specialized health resources or community agencies to furnish additional assistance.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient information according to facility policies and procedures.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
Certified School Nurse
Norristown Area School District
Norristown
02.2020 - Current
- Provide care to 850 student's grades 5-8.
- Provided direct care to ill or injured students, including administering medications as prescribed by physicians.
- Implemented normal growth and development screenings to identify health problems.
- Assessed student's physical, mental, and emotional health needs in a timely manner.
- Coordinated with school administrators and teachers to develop individual health plans for students with chronic conditions.
- Participated in IEP meetings to discuss the impact of a student's medical condition on academic performance.
- Advised teachers on how to accommodate special-needs children in their classrooms.
- Collaborated with health groups to plan or implement programs designed to improve overall health of communities.
- Assisted families in applying for free or reduced-cost healthcare services.
- Attended professional development seminars related to nursing best practices.
Registered Nurse
General Healthcare Resources
Plymouth Meeting
09.2019 - 10.2024
- Provide Covid-19 testing for students and faculty, University of Pennsylvania.
- Provide Covid-19 testing at various walk-up and drive-up sites throughout Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware Counties, including Montgomery County IU #23.
- Provide vaccination for Covid-19 in collaboration with the Office of Public Health in Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties.
Registered Nurse
Rehab at Shannondell
Audubon
05.2018 - 02.2020
- Provided care to orthopedic, cardiac and medical residents on a 20 bed unit under the direction of the Director of Nursing and facility physician.
- Provided residents with medication administration, IV therapy, treatments, physical assessment, discharge and admission planning.
- Assessed need for resident to be transferred to a hospital as per facility policy if needed.
- Collaborated with dietitian, physical therapist, occupational therapist and social work.
- Delegated duties to Certified Nurse Aids as required.
Registered Nurse
Detweiler Family Medicine and Associates
Lansdale
05.2017 - 06.2018
- Provided vaccine administration to school students and staff in collaboration with the Department of Health and School Nurses in Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh and Berks Counties, through the CDC's Vaccine for Children Program.
Certified School Nurse
Quakertown Community High School
Quakertown
03.2013 - 02.2017
- Coordinated health care team for 1750 students grades 9-12 and district wide including faculty and staff.
- Participated in hiring process of Registered Nursing staff.
- Collaborated with school administrators and engineers in design of a new health suite.
Basic Life Support and First Aid Instructor
Northampton Community College
Bethlehem
10.2010 - 05.2016
- Volunteered to Instruct and Certify teachers, nurses, administrators, cafeteria and maintenance staff in First Aid and CPR including AED, bi-annually for 6 years.
Nursing Supervisor
KidsPeace Psychiatric Hospital
Orefield
08.2011 - 03.2013
- Provided direct supervision, leadership, support and mentoring to applicable nursing professionals and nonclinical direct care staff.
- Collaborated as a member of the treatment team to evaluate plan of care.
Certified School Nurse
Southern Lehigh School District
Bethlehem
08.2009 - 03.2013
- Coordinated health care team and provided vision, hearing, BMI screenings for 750 students grades 4-6.
- Provided input to Senior Accountant Executive, Sapphire K12, school nurse health software.
Registered Nurse
Quakertown Community School District
Quakertown
09.2005 - 08.2009
- Provided care to 450 ninth grade students under the direction of the Certified School Nurse.
Registered Nurse
St. Luke's Hospitals
Quakertown
09.2003 - 09.2005
- Monitored patients with acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, respiratory failure.
- Provided care for patients with drug overdoses, gastrointestinal bleeds, mental health diagnosis.
- Prepared patients for surgical and radiological procedures.
Registered Nurse
Progressive Nursing Staffers
Bala Cynwyd
06.1998 - 09.2002
- Flexibility in scheduling needs of Philadelphia area hospitals; Temple- Jeanes, Temple-Lower Bucks, Nazareth, Abington.
- Ability to float to telemetry, invasive cardiology, med-surg units with ease.
Registered Nurse
Tenet Hospitals, Medical College of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
03.1996 - 06.1998
- Float Nurse to several hospital units including Med/Surg, Surgical Trauma, Ortho, Open Heart step-down.
- Charge/Staff nurse for 36 bed Arrhythmia/Invasive Cardiac Procedure Unit.
Education
Masters in Education - School Nurse
Eastern University
01.2026
Master of Science in Nursing - Family Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner
DeSales University
11.2018
Registered Nurse Refresher Certificate Program -
Villanova University
05.2017
Post Baccalaureate Credits - M.Ed
Wilkes University
08.2013
School Nurse Certification -
Slippery Rock University
05.2009
Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing -
Pennsylvania State University
05.2008
Registered Nurse Diploma -
Frankford Hospital School of Nursing
08.1995
Skills
- Crisis intervention
- Health assessment
- Individual health planning
- Medication administration
- Patient education
- Collaboration with educators
Affiliations
- American Nurses Association
- National Association of School Nurses and Practitioners
- Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
Certification
- Basic Life Support - current
- Registered Nurse, PA
Accomplishments
- Obtained $1,000 grant to instruct CPR and 1st aid to faculty and staff in Quakertown.
- Developed policy and procedures for Narcan in Quakertown Community School District.
- Obtained free epi pens for all Quakertown Community Schools for an annual cost savings of $2000.
- Spearheaded purchase of ZOLL AED for all Quakertown Community Schools.
- Initiated the integration of SNAP software systems Parent Portal.
- Planned and implemented 5K walk/run team for district nurses.
Volunteer Experience
Certified teachers and nurses in American Heart Association CPR and 1st Aid, 2010-2016
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Woods Services
11.2023 - Current
Certified School Nurse
Norristown Area School District
02.2020 - Current
Registered Nurse
General Healthcare Resources
09.2019 - 10.2024
Registered Nurse
Rehab at Shannondell
05.2018 - 02.2020
Registered Nurse
Detweiler Family Medicine and Associates
05.2017 - 06.2018
Certified School Nurse
Quakertown Community High School
03.2013 - 02.2017
Nursing Supervisor
KidsPeace Psychiatric Hospital
08.2011 - 03.2013
Basic Life Support and First Aid Instructor
Northampton Community College
10.2010 - 05.2016
Certified School Nurse
Southern Lehigh School District
08.2009 - 03.2013
Registered Nurse
Quakertown Community School District
09.2005 - 08.2009
Registered Nurse
St. Luke's Hospitals
09.2003 - 09.2005
Registered Nurse
Progressive Nursing Staffers
06.1998 - 09.2002
Registered Nurse
Tenet Hospitals, Medical College of Pennsylvania
03.1996 - 06.1998
Masters in Education - School Nurse
Eastern University
Master of Science in Nursing - Family Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner
DeSales University
Registered Nurse Refresher Certificate Program -
Villanova University
Post Baccalaureate Credits - M.Ed
Wilkes University
School Nurse Certification -
Slippery Rock University
Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing -
Pennsylvania State University
Registered Nurse Diploma -
Frankford Hospital School of Nursing