Danielle Thomas
New Prague
Summary
Registered nurse with over 10 years of clinical experience in perioperative nursing and emergency medicine. Expertise in charge nursing, staff education, and mentorship, with a focus on patient care coordination and workflow management. Demonstrated success in enhancing unit operations, mentoring nursing staff, and implementing clinical processes that elevate patient outcomes and safety.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse - Pre-Op / PACU (Casual)
Orthopedic Institute
Chaska
11.2025 - Current
- Conducted pre-operative assessments, verified documentation and consents, initiated IV therapy, and administered medications to prepare patients for surgery
- Provide pre-operative and post-anesthesia care for orthopedic surgical patients in a high-volume ambulatory surgery center
- Delivered PACU recovery care, monitored airway stability, vital signs, pain control, and anesthesia recovery to ensure patient safety and comfort
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care plans, recovery expectations, and discharge instructions to promote understanding and adherence
- Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and surgical teams to ensure safe and efficient patient care
Registered Nurse - Pre-Op / PACU / OR Circulator
Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA)
Lakeville
10.2024 - Current
- Perform pre-operative patient assessments, chart review, consent verification, IV access, and medication administration
- Provide comprehensive perioperative nursing care across pre-operative, intraoperative, and post-anesthesia phases
- Circulated for orthopedic, ENT, and plastic surgery cases, ensuring patient safety and effective communication among surgical team
- Provided PACU recovery care for pediatric and adult patients, facilitating smooth transitions from anesthesia to recovery
- Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal surgical outcomes
- Educated patients and families on post-operative recovery and discharge care, enhancing understanding and compliance
- Provided guidance to nursing staff and surgical teams to enhance patient care
Registered Nurse - Charge Nurse / Preceptor
Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA)
Eagan
02.2024 - 10.2024
- Directed staffing assignments, managed patient flow, and scheduled surgical cases to optimize surgical operations.
- Functioned as a Preceptor mentoring newly hired nursing staff
- Contributed to the successful launch of a new ambulatory surgery center by developing perioperative workflows and orienting staff
- Facilitated staff education related to perioperative procedures and patient safety practices
- Collaborated with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and leadership
- Developed clinical workflow improvements to streamline processes and improve patient care delivery.
RN, Clinical Nurse Educator
Iqvia/Novasyte- Masimo
07.2023 - 05.2024
- Educated nurses, physicians, and hospital staff on medical device implementation through peer-to-peer sessions and in-services.
- Supported medical device implementation by facilitating targeted educational initiatives.
- Assessed education needs of staff and collaborated to enhance customer experience.
RN, Emergency Department
Mayo Clinic Health System
New Prague
12.2020 - 11.2023
- Triage patients to prioritize care based on condition severity, enhancing timely treatment.
- Utilized advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and basic life support (BLS) techniques during critical situations.
- Assist in emergency procedures, ensuring compliance with protocol standards.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- Organized workflows within Emergency Department, facilitating efficient operations and promoting quality patient outcomes.
- Managed medical equipment such as ventilators, cardiac monitors, IV pumps.
- Educated patients and families on treatment plans and discharge instructions, improving understanding and compliance.
- Actively participated in performance improvement initiatives within the department.
- Facilitated seamless transfer of patients to other units or facilities, ensuring continuity of care.
Education
Registered Nurse -
Rasmussen College
Mankato, MN12-2019
Skills
- Post-anesthesia care
- Medication management
- Patient monitoring
- Critical care
- Clinical judgment
- Surgical teamwork
- Crisis management
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Team leadership
- Communication skills
- Conflict resolution
- Patient education
Personal Information
Title: RN
Certification
- RN - Minnesota Board of Nursing
- ACLS
- BLS
- PALS
- TNCC
- Periop 101
- Certified Preceptor
Core Leadership Competencies
- Clinical Team Leadership
- Staff Mentorship & Preceptorship
- Charge Nurse Operations
- Patient Care Coordination
- Staff Education & Orientation
- Quality Improvement & Patient Safety
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Clinical Workflow Optimization
- Regulatory & Compliance Standards
- Perioperative Nursing (Pre-Op, PACU, OR Circulating)
Leadership Highlights
- Charge Nurse responsible for coordinating staffing assignments and patient flow in a busy ambulatory surgery center
- Preceptor responsible for orientation and mentorship of new nursing staff
- Assisted with operational development and workflow implementation for a newly opened surgical facility
- Experienced in staff education, in-servicing, and competency training
Timeline
Registered Nurse - Pre-Op / PACU (Casual)
Orthopedic Institute
11.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse - Pre-Op / PACU / OR Circulator
Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA)
10.2024 - Current
Registered Nurse - Charge Nurse / Preceptor
Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA)
02.2024 - 10.2024
RN, Clinical Nurse Educator
Iqvia/Novasyte- Masimo
07.2023 - 05.2024
RN, Emergency Department
Mayo Clinic Health System
12.2020 - 11.2023
Registered Nurse -
Rasmussen College