BETSY CARTAGENA RN
Brentwood
Summary
Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Admissions Nurse/Unit Coordinator
Smithtown Center of Nursing and Rehabilitation
12.2024 - 08.2025
- Patient Assessment: Gathering medical history, performing physical assessments, and documenting findings.
- Coordination: Collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare team members.
- Paperwork Management: Ensuring all required forms and documentation are completed and accurate.
- Patient Education: Explaining the admission process, treatment plans, and any necessary pre-operative or post-discharge instructions.
- Emotional Support: Providing reassurance and support to patients and their families during a potentially stressful time.
- Compliance: Adhering to regulatory and institutional policies and procedures.
- Associating appropriate ICD 10 codes to diagnostic testing, medications, acute and chronic conditions.
- Chart audits and review and update of Care Plans.
- Displayed functional familiarity with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance coverage protocols.
- Attended in-house trainings and continuing education classes.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
Nurse Supervisor
St. Joseph’s Convent Brentwood, NY
09.2021 - 10.2024
- Managed the care of 60 sisters living in an Assisted living setting. Served as a resource for problem solving, provide clinical expertise, facilitated staff mentoring and coaching.
- Ensured that patients had adequate care by managing nurse schedules and interacting with healthcare professionals, patients and visitors.
- Provided on-going review of medications, charts, and medical history.
- Provided end of life care (Palliative Care)according to the sister’s needs and wishes.
- Worked with the Interdisciplinary team to ensure that the sisters were provided with a high quality of care.
- Initiated the EMR system(Matrixcare)which involved staff and resident education and on-going management of medical records and updating of medical information.
- Responsible for purchasing and maintaining supplies.
- Oversight of nursing staff.
- Attended Care Plan meetings in LTC or rehabilitation facilities upon admission or D/C of a resident.
- Conducted comprehensive telephonic assessments, while on call, directing the nursing staff to appropriate levels of care based on protocols .
- Educated the residents on medication management, management of acute and chronic diseases and illnesses.
- Interviewed and processed new hires, disciplined staff, as per facility policies.
Nurse Manager
Maria Regina Residence Brentwood, NY
03.2017 - 06.2021
- Ensure patient and staff satisfaction; maintaining a safe environment for staff, residents, and visitors; ensuring standards and quality of care are maintained; and aligning the unit’s goals with the facility’s strategic goals.
- Work closely with orientees and assist them with managing challenges and reinforce positive collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Care Team.
- Guide and mentor staff in developing critical thinking skills that would enable them to make safe and effective care decisions.
- Promote a workplace environment where staff engage each other in a productive and positive manner.
- Ensuring that staff is current in competencies, assessments, and annual trainings.
- Treatment planning, Scheduling, wound management, and Electronic Health Record management.
- Utilize Evidence-Based Practice to improve resident outcomes.
- Responsible for management of Dementia Unit.
Charge Nurse
Maria Regina Residence Brentwood, NY
02.2004 - 03.2017
- Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in medical records.
- Simultaneously served as lead health care provider and office manager of unit.
- Supervised 20 other employees and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Actively participated in unit-based Quality Assurance Program.
- Provided palliative care in inpatient settings ranging from assessment to development and implementation of care plans.
- Sound, ethical and independent decision-making ability consistent with medical protocols.
- Assisted patients with healing and recovery after surgery.
- Provided necessary health education training for patients.
- Provided behavioral/emotional support and supervision for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- Assisted patients with multiple chronic diagnoses including COPD and asthma.
- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, treatments, medications, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care.
- Provided quality nursing care in accordance with resident care policies and procedures.
- Maintained patient charts and confidential files.
Medical Surgical Nurse
Long Island Jewish Medical Center New Hyde Park, NY
03.2003 - 11.2003
- Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in medical records.
- Administered IV therapy.
- Sound, ethical and independent decision-making ability consistent with medical protocols.
- Assisted patients with healing and recovery after surgery.
- Provided necessary health education training for patients.
Program Coordinator
Economic Opportunity Council Bay Shore, NY
11.2001 - 03.2003
- Coordinated recreational programs and activities for the developmentally disabled and respite services for families affected with HIV/AIDS.
- Supervised other employees, led recruiting and hiring, managed employee review process and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations.
Education
RN-BSN program -
Chamberlain University
Infection Control Preventionist Certification - undefined
Centers for Disease Control (TRAIN)
Associates of Applied Science - Nursing
Suffolk Community College
Brentwood, NY, United StatesSkills
- Certified in BLS and CPR
- Spanish language skills
- COMPUTER LITERATE/EHR - Matrix/Sigma
- PRI Certified
- Inpatient admissions protocol
- ICD-10
- Update electronic charts
- Training staff
- Diagnostic test ordering
- Immunizations and vaccinations
Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
- CPR certified through American Heart Association
- Registered Nurse in the State of NY, License number 537716-1
Education and Training
SIGMA/MatrixCare proficient
Timeline
Admissions Nurse/Unit Coordinator
Smithtown Center of Nursing and Rehabilitation
12.2024 - 08.2025
Nurse Supervisor
St. Joseph’s Convent Brentwood, NY
09.2021 - 10.2024
Nurse Manager
Maria Regina Residence Brentwood, NY
03.2017 - 06.2021
Charge Nurse
Maria Regina Residence Brentwood, NY
02.2004 - 03.2017
Medical Surgical Nurse
Long Island Jewish Medical Center New Hyde Park, NY
03.2003 - 11.2003
Program Coordinator
Economic Opportunity Council Bay Shore, NY
11.2001 - 03.2003
Infection Control Preventionist Certification - undefined
Centers for Disease Control (TRAIN)
Associates of Applied Science - Nursing
Suffolk Community College
RN-BSN program -
Chamberlain University