Melissa Johns

Compassionate and adaptable Family Nurse Practitioner with strong clinical judgement, seeking a position in correctional healthcare where I can provide high-quality, patient centered care to underserved populations. With over 10 years of direct patient care experience, I am committed to maintaining safety, professional boundaries, and collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary teams. My background in adult emergency medicine, trauma, and palliative care has equipped me with broad medical knowledge and the resourcefulness needed to manage chronic disease, acute issues, mental health concerns, and urgent care needs with efficiency, empathy, and respect for institutional protocols.

Cook Children's Physician Network - Fort Worth, TX Feb 2023 - Present

Pediatric Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Experienced in managing complex medical needs of critically ill children in hem-onc and bone marrow transplant units. Specialized in symptom management, including pain, nausea, mood, and sleep disorders. Provided end-of-life care and guided goals-of-care discussions. Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams across inpatient and outpatient settings. Delivered empathetic support to patients and families, emphasizing communication. Independently covered NICU, PICU, and general units as an on-call provider.

Riverside Regional Medical Center - Newport News, VA March 2021 - Feb 2023 Emergency Medicine & Trauma Nurse

Core emergency and trauma nurse in a 42-bed Level 2 trauma center, providing care across the lifespan. Performed triage, physical assessments, and administered critical care medications with a focus on safety. Managed high-acuity cases including trauma, cardiac arrests, STEMIs, strokes, sexual assaults, and conscious sedation. Delivered effective, independent care in a fast-paced environment while collaborating closely with physicians and healthcare teams to ensure timely, high-quality patient outcomes.

Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters - Norfolk, VA July 2019 - March 2021

Pediatric Neuroscience & Trauma/Surgery Nurse

Served as charge nurse and preceptor on a neuroscience unit specializing in trauma and surgical patients. Provided care for pediatric patients with a wide range of conditions, including traumatic injuries, post-surgical wounds, seizure disorders, neuromuscular disorders, and developmental disabilities. Cross-trained in transitional care, managing patients with tracheostomies and ventilators.

Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital - Virginia Beach, VA

Hematology/Oncology Nurse

May 2018 - July 2019

Chemotherapy-certified nurse caring for adult and geriatric patients with cancer and blood disorders. Provided wound care, including post-surgical wounds, wound vacs, fungating tumors, and radiation burns. Administered blood products, monitored labs, and managed symptoms and pain in coordination with providers.

Rhode Island Hospital - Providence, RI

Neuroscience Nurse

July 2017 - May 2018

Began as a new graduate nurse at Rhode Island’s only stroke center and largest Level 1 trauma hospital. Cared for patients with strokes, traumatic brain injuries, seizure disorders, and cognitive conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Completed a nurse residency program and advanced to charge nurse.

Woman & Infants Hospital - Providence, RI Summer 2016 Outpatient Chemotherapy Infusion Center Volunteer

Assisted the nursing staff in creating a positive environment for the cancer patients during their chemotherapy infusions. Offered alternative holistic therapy in the form of coloring, personal touch, imagery, and therapeutic conversation.

Community Care Nurses - North Kingstown, RI Jan 2013 - Aug 2016 Pediatric Home Health CNA

A certified nursing assistant that completed a high school-based technical school certificate. Assisted the patients with activities of daily living, therapeutic play, and personal care.

Master of Science in Nursing, FNP March 2020 - July 2022 Simmons University - Boston, MA
GPA 3.8
Inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society for Nursing - 2021

200 clinical hours in the rural emergency department at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital - assessing, diagnosing, and treating emergency illnesses. Evaluating labs and imaging. Independently conduced procedures including suturing, I&D, wound care, splinting, and foreign body removal.

50 clinical hours in pediatric general surgery at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters

32 clinical hours in pediatric inpatient hospitalist medicine at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters

112 specialty clinical hours in palliative care & pain management at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital

Over 130 clinical hours in primary care medicine at Sentara Family Medicine Physicians Williamsburg