Traci Hilger
Elizabeth city,NC
Summary
Healthcare professional with extensive experience in high-stress emergency settings in the Intensive Care and Emergency Department. Proven ability to deliver exceptional patient care while maintaining composure during medical crises. Highly reliable team member with adaptability to changing situations and commitment to collaborative success.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
Elizabeth City, NC
02.2025 - Current
- Administered medications and monitored vital signs for critically ill patients.
- Assisted with advanced procedures such as central line insertions, arterial lines placements, bronchoscopies, and endotracheal intubations under physician supervision.
- Responded swiftly to emergency situations, providing life-saving interventions.
- Handled ventilator support, feeding tubes and central lines.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures, ensuring accurate treatment administration and timely patient recovery.
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients.
- Administered medications and treatments per physician orders, ensuring patient safety and adherence to protocols.
- Reduced hospital-acquired infections through diligent monitoring of infection control measures and strict adherence to protocols.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing compassionate, evidence-based nursing care in a fast-paced medical intensive care environment.
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
Elizabeth City
04.2022 - 02.2025
- Administered emergency care to diverse patient populations in high-pressure situations.
- Monitored vital signs and assessed patient conditions for timely interventions.
- Provided valuable support to families during critical situations by offering emotional support, answering questions, and assisting with decision-making processes related to their loved one''s care.
- Educated patients and answered questions about health condition, prognosis, and treatment.
- Streamlined triage processes, reducing wait times for critical patients during peak hours.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance departmental efficiency and outcomes.
- Demonstrated strong clinical reasoning skills when assessing patients'' conditions, initiating appropriate interventions, and escalating concerns to physicians as needed.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Improved patient outcomes by consistently providing high-quality emergency care and implementing evidence-based nursing practices.
- Reduced patient wait times by efficiently triaging patients based on acuity levels and prioritizing urgent cases.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds, and thoracic trauma.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by delivering compassionate, culturally sensitive care tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Acted as a resource for colleagues by sharing clinical expertise, participating in educational opportunities, and serving as a preceptor for new nurses joining the Emergency Department team.
- Reduced stress and anxiety for patients and families by offering compassionate care and support.
Licensed Practical Nurse, Emergency Department
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
Elizabeth City, NC
05.2019 - 04.2022
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to treatment plans.
- Educated patients and families on health management and discharge instructions.
- Conducted routine assessments to evaluate patient conditions and report changes.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient vital signs and progress notes.
- Supported nursing staff in procedural tasks, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Improved patient outcomes by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting relevant information.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Demonstrated excellent technical skills in wound dressing changes, IV therapy administration, catheter insertion, and other routine nursing procedures.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Managed time-sensitive tasks effectively under pressure while maintaining composure during critical situations or emergencies.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing, and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Maintained a safe and therapeutic environment for patients through effective risk assessment and crisis intervention strategies.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork through active participation in unit meetings, performance improvement initiatives, and collaborative problem-solving efforts.
- Monitored patient reactions to medications and treatments, quickly addressing adverse reactions.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
Certified Nursing Assistant II Intensive Care Unit
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
Elizabeth City, NC
08.2016 - 05.2019
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to nursing staff promptly.
- Trained new staff on patient care protocols and safety procedures.
- Advocated for patient needs, enhancing overall satisfaction with care services.
- Implemented best practices for infection control, improving workplace safety standards.
- Provided high-quality personal care services such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and feeding to ensure patient dignity.
- Maintained a clean, safe environment by sanitizing surfaces, changing linens, and disposing of waste properly.
- Reduced fall incidents by implementing safety measures like bed alarms and proper positioning techniques.
- Prevented pressure ulcers development through frequent turning, repositioning of patients, and diligent skin assessments.
- Enhanced team efficiency by promptly responding to call lights and reporting changes in patient condition to nurses.
- Utilized therapeutic communication, empathy and active listening skills to encourage and develop positive relationships with patients.
- Assisted nurses with wound care procedures ensuring proper healing processes took place.
- Collected patient specimen samples ,obtained EKG's and assisted in MRT and Code alerts.
Certified Nursing Assistant, Step-Down Unit
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
Elizabeth City, NC
09.2013 - 08.2016
- Assisted patients with daily living activities, ensuring comfort and safety.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to nursing staff for timely interventions.
- Maintained accurate patient records, documenting care provided and observations made.
- Trained new staff on best practices in patient assistance and safety protocols.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care delivery and outcomes.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
- Conducted regular rounds to monitor patients'' physical and mental status throughout shifts.
- Served as an advocate for each patient's needs during shift handoffs or interdisciplinary conferences with other healthcare professionals.
- Improved patient satisfaction with empathetic listening and addressing concerns promptly.
- Maintained clean and safe environment, reducing risk of infections and promoting health.
Certified Medical Technician
Waterbrooke Assisted Living
Elizabeth City, NC
02.2002 - 09.2013
- Administered medications and monitored vital signs to ensure patient safety and well-being.
- Assisted healthcare providers with patient examinations, enhancing care delivery efficiency.
- Implemented electronic health record systems to streamline patient data management processes.
- Trained and mentored junior staff on best practices in patient care and office protocols.
- Led initiatives to enhance resident engagement through organized health-related activities and events.
- Train new aides on medication administration procedures and best practices for patient care.
- Implement infection control measures to maintain a safe environment for residents and staff.
- Provide compassionate support to residents, fostering positive relationships and enhancing quality of life.
- Took patient vital signs, height, and weight measurements and monitored glucose and patient wellbeing.
- Interacted kindly with patients and families and displayed positive, outgoing attitude, resulting in establishment of long-term, professional relationships.
- Reduced medication errors by maintaining accurate documentation of administered medications.
- Safeguarded patient privacy by adhering strictly to HIPAA regulations during all aspects of medication handling and administration processes.
- Performed regular safety checks on medication storage areas to maintain a secure and organized environment.
- Reviewed medication orders for accuracy and completeness before administering medication.
- Counted and recorded medication inventory routinely to maintain medication security and control.
- Reordered medication to maintain adequate supply.
- Turned and repositioned patients to prevent bedsores.
- Administered psychotropic medications and anxiety education to patients to provide mental health care.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC05-2025
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
College of The Albemarle
Elizabeth City, NC05-2022
Diploma - Practical Nursing
College of The Albemarle
Elizabeth City, NC07-2019
Associate of Applied Science - General Occupational Technology
College of The Albemarle
Elizabeth City, NC05-2019
Associate - General Education
College of The Albemarle
Elizabeth City, NC07-2018
Skills
- Hemodynamics monitoring
- ECG
- Intravenous therapy
- Neurological monitoring
- Compassionate care
- Ethical practice
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Emergency interventions
- Honest and dependable
- Adaptable and flexible
- Task and work prioritization
- Shock symptom identification
- Pediatric advanced life support
Certification
- PALS
- BLS
- ACLS
- NIHSS- Stroke Scale Certification
- Handle with Care
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
02.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
04.2022 - 02.2025
Licensed Practical Nurse, Emergency Department
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
05.2019 - 04.2022
Certified Nursing Assistant II Intensive Care Unit
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
08.2016 - 05.2019
Certified Nursing Assistant, Step-Down Unit
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
09.2013 - 08.2016
Certified Medical Technician
Waterbrooke Assisted Living
02.2002 - 09.2013
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Western Carolina University
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
College of The Albemarle
Diploma - Practical Nursing
College of The Albemarle
Associate of Applied Science - General Occupational Technology
College of The Albemarle
Associate - General Education
College of The Albemarle