Michelle Richards

Assisted active-duty service members with medical preparation and submission of VA disability claims prior to retirement or separation. Managed timelines, prepared medical forms/addendums for CMO review, coordinated with VSOs and transition advisors, and followed up for one year post–active duty to support continuity of care.

Provided PRN nursing care in ICUs for a broad mix of surgical, orthopedic, cardiac, neuro, and step-down patients. Collaborated with clinicians to support timely notification, emergency response, and compliance with ICU protocols, including blood and component administration.

Provided PRN ICU/step-down coverage for surgical, orthopedic, cardiac, neuro, and step-down patients. Supported emergency readiness, participated in codes/IRRT preparedness, and delivered ICU therapies including CRRT and blood/component administration.

Served as Nurse Care Facilitator for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) services, coordinating seal active-duty service member care using an interdisciplinary approach. Managed patient schedules and follow-up appointments and collaborated with case managers during interdisciplinary meetings across multiple specialty assessments.

Managed day-to-day operations and staffing for an Interdisciplinary Pain Medicine Clinic, including scheduling templates and appointment coordination based on acuity. Coordinated referrals for pain management for active-duty personnel with limited duty or pending medical board needs and supported interdisciplinary ECHO meetings to transition chronic pain regimens.

Worked in an 18-bed ICU/step-down unit caring for surgical, orthopedic, cardiac, neuro, and step-down patients. Served as a mentor and role model for hospital corpsman and new incoming nurses while collaborating with physicians and providing ICU support including IV placement and moderate sedation.

Provided cardiac ICU nursing for post-cath and pulmonary hypertension populations, including titration therapies and advanced mechanical circulatory support. Supported patients receiving IABP and LVAD/PVAD and other advanced therapies, with experience in inotropic/vasopressor support, ventilators, and CRRT.

Worked in an advanced heart failure unit caring for patients requiring advanced therapies, including total artificial hearts and LVADs. Supported bridge-to-transplant and destination-therapy populations, including management of pulmonary hypertension patients.

Provided step-down nursing care for burn, trauma, and general surgery patient populations. Delivered high-acuity nursing support and collaborated with the care team to support continuity of care.

Provided urgent care and family practice triage and initiated IV therapy and infusions as ordered. Performed EKGs, phlebotomy, and ordered X-rays in the RIS system to support timely diagnostic evaluation.

Activities and societies: Member and participant in the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners Association; American Nursing Association conferences; Case Management Society of America (CMSA) Virginia Chapter conferences; continuing education for nursing licensure and case management certification.

Currently pursuing a master’s in nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner focus.

Earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Earned an Associate in Science of Nursing.

Completed nursing pre-requisites and service-learning experiences.