Meggie Secrist
Galesburg
Summary
Dynamic Registered Nurse with extensive experience at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, excelling in patient assessment and telemetry monitoring. Known for strong communication and problem-solving skills, I effectively manage emergencies and develop treatment plans that enhance patient recovery. Dedicated to delivering compassionate care while ensuring optimal patient outcomes. Highly motivated healthcare professional experienced in diverse healthcare settings. Well-versed in providing patient-centered care, developing care plans, and delivering quality patient care in accordance with physician orders. Proven track record of success in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Committed to providing compassionate and evidence-based care to diverse patient populations. Compassionate professional with extensive background in providing exceptional patient care. Dedicated to delivering high quality, compassionate care to diverse patient populations. Proven track record of successful outcomes in high-pressure, fast-paced clinical settings. Passionate about patient advocacy, education, and holistic healing.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Director of Nursing
Arcadia Care Skilled Nursing Facility
04.2025 - 07.2025
- Led nursing team in delivering high-quality patient care and ensuring adherence to best practices.
- Developed and implemented training programs for nursing staff to enhance clinical skills and knowledge.
- Mentored junior nursing staff, fostering professional growth and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
- Monitored compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring optimal safety and quality of care delivery.
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Collaborated with staff, management, and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
- Managed nursing schedules and budgets, streamlining processes for cost savings while maintaining high-quality patient care.
- Assisted in developing policies and procedures for safe medication administration, minimizing errors within the department.
- Served as a role model for nursing staff by demonstrating exceptional clinical skills, ethical behavior, and commitment to continuous learning.
- Established and monitored infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing overall service delivery within the facility.
- Implemented infection control measures, reducing hospital-acquired infections significantly over time.
Registered Nurse
OSF St. Mary Medical Center
04.2024 - 04.2025
- Worked on an Intermediate/Telemetry unit
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess changes in patient conditions, recognize complications and intervene appropriately.
- Managed multiple tasks while providing timely, high quality patient care.
- Administered medications and treatments in accordance with physician orders and hospital policies.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills to collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Provided direct patient care, including assessment and evaluation of health status, development of individualized plans of care and implementation of nursing interventions.
- Monitored vital signs as part of ongoing assessment process.
- Responded to life-saving situations based upon nursing standards and protocols.
- Educated patients about their diagnosis, medications, nutrition requirements, pain management strategies.
Registered Nurse
Flexcare Medical Staffing
12.2022 - 03.2024
- Worked at OSF St. Francis Medical Center on an Acute Neurology unit
- Worked at Springfield Memorial Hospital on a Gastrointestinal surgical unit
- Protected patients through careful monitoring and consistent use of aseptic techniques
- Helped patients feel comfortable and at ease with treatments and care using culturally-appropriate strategies
- Improved recovery by educating patients and caregivers on proper at-home care and treatment regimens
- Managed patient flows for unit, handling admissions and processing discharge paperwork
- Implemented treatment plans for acute and chronic conditions
- Recorded changes in patient conditions and laboratory test results
- Educated patients on preventive care and lifestyle choices to improve overall health
- Trained and mentored student nurses, interns and new graduates in proper procedures and care techniques
- Worked closely with physicians, surgeons and nursing staff as part of unit team
- Managed direct care of patients, conducted assessments and documented care activities
- Alleviated patient fears of treatments using kind, empathetic communication
- Dressed, cleaned and redressed wounds for optimum healing
- Resolved or reduced patient symptoms with intramuscular, intravenous and oral medicines
- Maximized unit efficiency, keeping supplies and records well-organized for expected needs
- Treated patients with mental health issues alongside multidisciplinary team
- Checked patients' diets, physical activities and risk factors for disease
- Controlled infection risks with proper wound care and aseptic techniques
- Intervened and stabilized patients during emergencies with immediate first aid, CPR or advanced life support care
Registered Nurse
Blessing Hospital
08.2022 - 12.2022
- Worked on an Acute Neurology/Psych overflow unit
- Monitored patient temperature, blood pressure and respiration
- Helped patients in and out of bed and into wheelchairs with transfer belts or lift equipment
- Evaluated scenes and implemented life-saving measures based on medical assessments
- Demonstrated comfort measures and proactive communication to improve patient compliance
- Utilized equipment and machines to treat patients
- Maintained privacy and confidentiality while performing care and treatment for patients
- Prevented further injuries to accident patients with proper immobilization
- Provided detailed reports to attending physician, nurses and supervisor
- Remained calm and collected during stressful and critical situations to resolve issues
- Practiced medical and legal principles required by federal and state laws
Registered Nurse
American Traveler
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Worked at the University of Chicago Hospital on a Liver/Kidney Transplant/Abdominal Trauma unit
- Worked at Springfield Memorial Hospital on a Covid unit then transferred to an IMC unit
- Cared for patients' wounds and promoted recovery by dressing, cleaning, and redressing areas
- Supported post-surgical patient needs, encouraging ambulation, monitoring catheters, and handling difficult personal hygiene tasks
- Stabilized patients during emergencies with first aid and life support care
- Implemented treatment plans for acute and chronic conditions
- Administered oral, IV and intramuscular medications as part of patient treatments
- Dressed, cleaned and redressed wounds for optimum healing
- Stabilized patients experiencing emergency complications and decompensations
- Educated patients on preventive care and lifestyle choices to improve overall health
- Alleviated patient fears of treatments using kind, empathetic communication
- Worked closely with physicians, surgeons and nursing staff as part of unit team
- Controlled infection risks with proper wound care and aseptic techniques
- Worked with interdisciplinary team to organize and implement patient care plans
- Achieved optimal patient outcomes by carefully monitoring conditions and delivering comprehensive support
- Checked patients' diets, physical activities and risk factors for disease
- Intervened and stabilized patients during emergencies with immediate first aid, CPR or advanced life support care
Registered Nurse
OSF St. Mary Medical Center
10.2016 - 08.2021
- Worked on an Intermediate/Telemetry unit which was turned into the Covid unit
- Floated to ICU and ER
- Protected patients through careful monitoring and consistent use of aseptic techniques
- Helped patients feel comfortable and at ease with treatments and care using culturally-appropriate strategies
- Improved recovery by educating patients and caregivers on proper at-home care and treatment regimens
- Stabilized patients experiencing emergency complications and decompensations
- Educated patients on preventive care and lifestyle choices to improve overall health
- Implemented treatment plans for acute and chronic conditions
- Trained and mentored student nurses, interns and new graduates in proper procedures and care techniques
- Administered oral, IV and intramuscular medications as part of patient treatments
- Conducted accurate chart updates in computer system
- Alleviated patient fears of treatments using kind, empathetic communication
- Worked closely with physicians, surgeons and nursing staff as part of unit team
- Dressed, cleaned and redressed wounds for optimum healing
- Worked with interdisciplinary team to organize and implement patient care plans
- Trained junior nurses and students in proper techniques
- Intervened and stabilized patients during emergencies with immediate first aid, CPR or advanced life support care
- Treated patients with mental health issues alongside multidisciplinary team
- Achieved optimal patient outcomes by carefully monitoring conditions and delivering comprehensive support
- Immunized patients against communicable diseases based on seasonal factors, age or current transmission rates
- Resolved or reduced patient symptoms with intramuscular, intravenous and oral medicines
- Checked patients' diets, physical activities and risk factors for disease
- Controlled infection risks with proper wound care and aseptic techniques
Education
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Nursing
Carl Sandburg College
05.2016
High School Diploma - undefined
Williamsfield High School
05.2005
Skills
- Chart updating
- Treatment planning
- Medication administration
- IV management
- Patient assessment
- Wound care
- Telemetry monitoring
- Problem-solving
- Direct nursing care
- Emergency response
- Strong communication
- Vitals monitoring
- Medication and IV administration
- Compassion and empathy
- Documentation and charting
- Infection control measures
- Clinical leadership
- Nursing management
- Patient education
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Recruiting and hiring
- Healthcare administration
- Shift scheduling
- Clinical documentation
- Nurse education and training
- Leadership and guidance
- Disease control
- Family support
Certification
- BLS
- ACLS
- NIH Stroke Scale
- Critical Care Courses
- Preceptor Courses
MIDDLE INITIAL
M
Timeline
Assistant Director of Nursing
Arcadia Care Skilled Nursing Facility
04.2025 - 07.2025
Registered Nurse
OSF St. Mary Medical Center
04.2024 - 04.2025
Registered Nurse
Flexcare Medical Staffing
12.2022 - 03.2024
Registered Nurse
Blessing Hospital
08.2022 - 12.2022
Registered Nurse
American Traveler
08.2021 - 06.2022
Registered Nurse
OSF St. Mary Medical Center
10.2016 - 08.2021
High School Diploma - undefined
Williamsfield High School
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Nursing
Carl Sandburg College