Highly motivated and skilled Registered Nurse since 2005, with 3 years of acute care and the past 9 years of experience in various critical care settings in Medical, Cardio-thoracic, Surgical-Trauma Intensive Care Units at Level 1 and 2 Trauma centers
Comfortable in fast paced emergency situations, capable of working well under pressure while remaining calm. Flexible, quick learner who adapts easily to new situations, and continually strives to expand professional knowledge and responsibilities.
Innovative problem solver, successful in managing time, prioritizing task,exercising sound judgement, and improving the safety and quality of patient care.
Effective communicator who easily relates well to people from all cultures and socioeconomic conditions as well as successfully builds and maintains positive rapport with patients, families, staff, and other healthcare professionals.
Creates a positive work environment and promotes teamwork by serving as resource roleand mentor regarding clinical patient care issues and decision making skills.
Skills And Competencies
Massive blood transfusion protocols
Hypothermia therapy
External ventricular drain
Mechanical ventilation
ABG/lab valueinterpretation
Tracheostomy care
Chest tube management
Cardiac rhythm strip interpretation
Temporary & permanent pacemakers
In depth knowledge of IV therapy
Chest pain management
Brain death protocols with organ procurement process
Non-invasive/invasive hemodynamic monitoring (ie.Vigeleo, PA catheters)
Balloon Pump Therapy
CRRT (Prisma Flex)
Rotoprone therapy
Palliative care awareness
Preceptor
High level of autonomy
Patient-family focus centered care
Extensive wound care therapy
patient/family advocate
Charge Nurse duties
Work History
Trauma-Surgical ICU, Staff RN, 12/2012 to 02/2017 University Medical Center Brackenridge (Level 1 Trauma Center, 20 bed unit) – Austin, TX
Performed RN duties for critically ill trauma, orthopedic, vascular, oral, maxillofacial, otorhinolaryngological, handreconstructive, surgical oncological, neurosurgery, urology,and post-operative patients.
Provided trauma specific patient care such as stabilizing critical patients, performing mass transfusion and fluid resuscitation, titrating intravenous critical drips by interpretation of non-invasive and invasive hemodynamic monitoring values, ACLS, assist providers with chest tube, line insertions, and life saving bedside procedures, wound care, brain death protocols while working w/ organ procurement specialist, RSI, and following protocols to prevent VAP, CAUTI, and CLABSI.
Provided care specific for reconstructive plasticand vascular surgerypatients such as leech therapy, Vioptics monitoring, heparin & TPA administration/titrating, and associated assessments and monitoring.
Demonstrated leaderships skills such as responding as a member of critical care response team to emergencies for entire hospital inpatient settings, assumed role as a reliable resource to nurses on unit, serving as a preceptor for new-hire RNs and nursing/paramedic students.
Recognized by University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing for outstanding service as a preceptorby supervisingtheassigned Capstone nursing student for the duration of the student\'s 120 hr. practicum, as well as mentoring and guiding new graduates transition from student role to RN role working as a healthcare professional.
Trained as expert resource user for new up to datetechnology communication device tools andproviding education to staffby teaching interactive training classes to staff and serving as expert resource for staff on the unit during the implementation of new devices.
Trauma-Surgical ICU RN, 09/2010 to 11/2012 Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital (Level II Trauma Center, 20 bed unit) – Fort Worth, TX
Resuscitated and provided patient centered care for critically injured trauma patients, performed assessments, monitored and identified changes in patient conditions/status to provide appropriate interventions that promoted healing.
Obtained and interpreted patient health data to initiate, implement, and revise plan of care to meet patient, physician and family needs by using excellent communication skills and developing trusting relationships.
Coordinating patient care with in-house multidisciplinary teams and outside agencies such as for organ donation by developing good rapport with all members.
Ensured hospital compliance with national credentialed agencies by performing electronic health record audits,utilizing EPICsystem,and providing collected data to unit based councils working to improve issues related to patient safety, clinical quality improvement, healthy work environment, and patient satisfaction.
Recipient of AACN Beacon Award of Excellence for Trauma Intensive Care Unit team for employing evidence based practices to make holistic improvements in patient care.
Participated in biweekly multidisciplinary trauma patient rounds by presenting all pertinent dataof my1-2 assigned trauma patients to trauma team memberswhile encouraging patient/family participation during rounds to coordinate care with other disciplines.
Medical and Cardio-Thoracic ICU RN, 01/2008 to 04/2012 Medical Center of Arlington (Medical and Cardio-Thoracic Intensive Care Unit, 24 bed unit) – Arlington, TX
Cared for pre/post-op CABG, valve replacement, endarterectomy, thoracotomy, pacemaker, and balloon pump patients and developing a strong clinical background managing hemodynamic monitoring and titrating intravenous vasoactive medications accordingly.
Responsible for treating 1-2 critically ill patients presenting with conditions such as sepsis, shock, MODS, DIC, ARDS, GI bleeds, DKA, ARF, MI, CVA, CHF, COPD,renal and liver failure, and complex comorbidities.
Ensured implementation and maintenance of protocols were followed in compliance with evidence based nursing practice standards and patient care outcomes, as well as maintaining regulatory standards of core measures.
Contributed to organizational growth initiatives as an active member on unit-based council responsible for coordinating annual competency credentials for all ICU unit staff, an active member of patient education, procedural committees, as well as serving as preceptor for nursing students, new graduate, and new hire nurses.
Recipient of Florence Nightingale Nominee Award for demonstrating passion and commitment to the nursing profession and patients.
Ortho/Neuroscience Acute Care RN, 01/2005 to 01/2008 Medical Center of Arlington (Med-Surg/Ortho/Neuro/Bariatrics, 34 bed acute care) – Arlington, TX
Served as primary RN for 6-7 patients providing care to medical-surgical, neurological, orthopedic,and bariatric gastric bypass surgery patient populations by performing assessments, planning evidence based nursing care duties, safely administering medicationusing barcode scanningEMR(Meditech), developing care plans, coordinating patient care w/ multidisciplinary teams, and providing education to patients and families.
As needed frequently assumed charge RN roleas a strong leader in a stroke certified34 bed unitresponsible for performing duties such as, supervising all unit staff, coordinating patient assignments based on acuity and staff competency, serve as leader and resource for all staff on unit, and upholding standards of excellent patient care and customer satisfaction.
Accurate and detailed maintenance of patient information in Meditech Electronic Health Record and Electronic Medication Record while maintaining HIPPA compliance.
Demonstrated cultural awareness communication and supportive skills in caring for patients and families at the end of life.
Recognized by management for excellent bedside manner, patient sensitivity, customer service skills, and selected by the bariatrics surgeon team as a top performer providing exceptional post-op care to patients recovering from gastric bypass surgery.
Education
Bachelor of Science: Nursing, 2004 Texas Christian University (Harris College of Nursing) - Fort Worth, TX
Study Abroad, Texas Christian University Center in London, England (Summer,2002) Global Perspective in Health Care Systems A Study of the Universal Health Care System in comparison to U.S. Health Care System
License/Certifications/Professional Affliations
Texas Registered Nurse (License # 717718)
BLS/ACLS Certifications
Trauma Nursing Core Course Certification (TNCC)
National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Certification
American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
Trauma Care After Resuscitation Course (TCAR)
Community Involvement
The Christi Center: Served the community of Austin as an ambassador by providinglove, comfort, hope, and on-going supportto those who are adjusting to life after the death of a loved one.
The Settlement Home for Children: Promoted healing and growth to Austin Community individuals that have experienced emotional trauma, abuse, and neglect.
Junior League of Austin: Improved local community through leadership and voluntarism.
