ARLENE DENISE CRUZ
Somerset
Summary
Dynamic Nurse Clinician with extensive experience at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, excelling in patient advocacy and education. Proven ability to enhance team collaboration and patient safety through critical thinking and effective communication. Bilingual in English and Spanish. Proficient in electronic medical records and dedicated to delivering compassionate, individualized care in high-pressure environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Clinician- Staff Nurse for Outpatient Genitourinary Medical Oncology Team
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
01.2017 - Current
- Adapted swiftly to changing situations while maintaining high-quality patient care.
- Established strong rapport with clinical staff and providers, enhancing team collaboration.
- Delivered compassionate and empathetic care to patients and families during challenging times.
- Focused rigorously on patient education regarding health promotion, disease management, and treatment options.
- Liaised effectively with nurses and leadership to enhance patient safety and satisfaction.
- Performed comprehensive assessments to address physical, psychological, environmental, and social needs.
- Worked with a multidisciplinary team and advocated for patients to help meet their needs.
- Documented patient information accurately in electronic medical records according to protocols.
- Coordinated individualized patient care involving radiology, laboratory tests, and follow-up appointments.
- Served as a preceptor for new nurses by guiding departmental policies and procedures, as well as orienting them to patient resources within the Rutgers Cancer Institute system.
- Assessed the learning needs of patients and staff, identified areas needing improvement, developed educational materials, and delivered lectures on oncologic topics.
- Coordinated discharge planning to ensure continuity of care post-hospitalization.
RN – Staff Nurse for Inpatient Medical Oncology Unit
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
01.2010 - 01.2017
- Applied nursing practices to enhance patient care outcomes.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clinical staff, improving collaboration in challenging cases.
- Delivered compassionate care to patients and families while prioritizing education on health management.
- Collaborated with nursing teams and leadership to elevate patient safety and satisfaction levels.
- Exercised critical thinking in high-stress situations, considering various aspects of patient care.
- Provided specialized psychosocial and physical care tailored to individual patient needs.
- Actively contributed to patient safety committee initiatives aimed at reducing fall incidents.
Education
Masters of Science - Nursing, Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care
William Paterson University
Wayne, NJ01.2024
Bachelors of Science - Nursing
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL01.2009
Pre-Nursing Associates in Arts -
Miami Dade College
Miami, FL01.2006
Skills
- Fluent in English
- Fluent in Spanish
- Critical thinking
- Multitasking capacity
- Conflict resolution
- Teamwork and collaboration
- MS Office suite
- Office 360 programs
- Patient Electronic Charting Systems (Epic, Sunrise, Aria)
- HealthStreams' continuing education platform
Certification
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certified in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Licensed Registered Nurse for the state of New Jersey
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Professional (AHA, BLS)
- Oncology Nursing Certification (ONCC), 10/17 - present
Personal
- Active leader of the New Brunswick Spanish SDA Church, serving as:
- Youth Director
- Pathfinder Club Subdirector
- Music Director
- Health Department collaborator (health presentations, fairs, and education)
Personal - Activities
- Active leader of the New Brunswick Spanish SDA Church
- Youth Director
- Music Director
- Health Department collaborator (health presentations, fairs, and education)
Accomplishments
- Oncology Nursing Excellence Award Nominee in 2018, 2019, and 2022
Languages
English
Professional
Spanish
Professional
Timeline
Nurse Clinician- Staff Nurse for Outpatient Genitourinary Medical Oncology Team
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
01.2017 - Current
RN – Staff Nurse for Inpatient Medical Oncology Unit
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
01.2010 - 01.2017
Masters of Science - Nursing, Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care
William Paterson University
Bachelors of Science - Nursing
University of Central Florida
Pre-Nursing Associates in Arts -
Miami Dade College
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