Blanca Howard
Fort Worth,TX
Summary
Compassionate Health care professional with 18 +year diverse nursing experience in patient care and medical support. Known for collaborative work with medical teams to deliver high-quality care and adapt to evolving patient needs. Proven expertise in assessing, screening, and carrying out prescribed treatment of patients to support the long-term vision and mission of healthcare organizations, providers and patients.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse Specialty Clinic, Endocrine & Diabetes Clinic, Rheumatology Clinic
A North Texas, Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic
Fort Worth, TX
05.2022 - Current
- Collaborated with providers and other clinical staff to coordinate treatment, carry out interventions and deliver comprehensive services to Veterans
- Counseled and instructed patients and family on diagnoses, lab and imaging results and self-management of chronic endocrine and rheumatological disease
- Planned and implemented diabetes device management (CGM, Insulin Pumps) to include device initiation
- Guided therapeutic communication, conflict resolutions and interventions with device management to facilitate completion of plans of care
- Communicated with providers via electronic, and direct messaging to relay patient needs and resolve shortfalls and care
- Used EMR system to update records, transfer files, update providers, order necessary labs, research results to complete veteran care
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients acuity levels and individual needs.
Clinical Nurse, Preoperative and Post Anesthesia Care
Medely Healthcare Professional Network
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
05.2022 - Current
- Assessed patients for surgical and procedure readiness according to planned procedure in a variety of specialties to include pain management, orthopedics, urological, gastroenterology and ophthalmology
- Safely and satisfactorily managed post anesthesia procedural patients with sound judgment according to facility and nursing protocols
- Administered medications and treatments to manage patient's condition
- Utilized advanced assessment skills to identify early indications of deterioration in a patient''s condition, enabling prompt intervention when needed.
- Demonstrated knowledge of technical procedures and proper equipment use.
Clinical Nurse, Charge Nurse, Preceptor, Post Anesthesia Care Unit
JPS Hospital Network Level 1 Trauma Center
Fort Worth, TX
01.2014 - 05.2022
- Coordinated planned nursing care with Anesthesia, Surgery Physicians and Operating Room personnel and Surgical Residency Program
- Assisted in Perioperative patient teaching and assessment with formulation of diagnosis establishing goals and medication
- Application of various methods of pharmacological and holistic pain management
- Sound working knowledge of advanced devices and technologies
- Impressively handles queries and problems of patient and families with superb documentation of assessments in electronic record system
- Actively reviewed clinical charting documentation for accuracy and adherence to clinical protocols
Clinical Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Baylor Scott & White Health Care System
Grapevine
03.2015 - 05.2016
- Developed patient care plans, performed physical assessments of adult critical care patients, delegated staff nurse duties
- Assisted Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers with non-invasive and invasive procedures
- Managed ventilators and titrated critical medications
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing
- Monitored fluid intake and output levels
- Liaise with social work and hospice personnel for sensitive patient care
- Completed flowchart reporting and computerized charting and Rx requests
Flight Nurse, Element Leader, Mission Management, Medical Crew Director
United States Air Force
Travis AFB, USA
05.2011 - 12.2013
- Self-directed with astute judgment skills; high level personal accountability; 5-7 person crew working independently of primary facilities and resources while in flight
- Demonstrated innovation and ability to lead and motivate outstanding healthcare teams
- Team leader for Corporate level pilot program inflight medical equipment and supply program
- Planned, organized and positioned equipment and supplies for use in emergency conditions before, during and after transport.
- Directed and managed clinical and support staff in patient care activities on board various airframes while maintaining highest level of nursing care and professionalism
- Exercised sound decision-making abilities when faced with complex or rapidly changing situations involving critically ill or injured patients.
- Maintained flight medicine knowledge base by attending mandatory meetings, performing chart and equipment reviews, skills labs and clinical rotations and participating in continuing education sessions for care and transport of critically ill and injured patients internationally and within the United States
- Promoted collaboration among medical team members through effective communication strategies during challenging cases.
Clinical Nurse, Element Leader, Ambulatory Care
United States Air Force
Travis AFB, USA
06.2010 - 07.2011
- Performed methodical telephone triage using Woodkie Protocol
- Case and referral management documented with information obtained from interviews
- Assisted physicians with surgeries and procedures employing non-pharmacological, pharmacological and conscious sedation
- Ensured efficacy of treatments through monitoring of treatment regimens and disease management
- Developed care plans, including assessments, evaluations and nursing diagnosis
- Effectively managed clinical oversight for 14,000 patient enrollment
- Full Time, 40+ hours/week, Captain
Clinical Nurse, Charge Nurse, New Nurse Transition Preceptor
United States Air Force
Travis AFB, USA
02.2008 - 06.2010
- Instructed new nursing personnel assigned to the unit/shift
- Preceptor in wound care and trauma response
- Trained new staff on quality and infection control procedures
- Maintained all confidential personnel files, license, BLS and minimum competency compliance records as well as patient files conforming to HIPAA Protocol
- Experienced with multiple surgical and recovery procedures in specialties including Neurology, Plastics and Reconstruction, Burn and traumatic injury, Wound care, Orthopedic, Gynecological, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, General and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
- Deployed to remote location in high risk environment working in diverse nursing roles and work centers is response to point of injury trauma patients as well as preparation for worldwide evacuation
- Full Time, 36+ hours/week, 1st & 2nd Lt
Registered Nurse, Staff Nurse
Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center
Alamogordo, New Mexico
06.2006 - 09.2007
- Developed patient care plans, performed physical assessments of adult and pediatric patients, delegated staff nurse duties
- Assisted patients with daily functions
- Assisted doctors with non-invasive procedures
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing
- Monitored fluid intake and output levels
- Scheduled patient admissions and discharges; assisted patients with daily goals
- Full time, 36-48 hours/week
Education
Graduate Study Program -
Maryville University
St Louis, MO01.2021
Bachelor of Science, Nursing -
Creighton University
Omaha, NE05.2006
Skills
- Medication administration
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments
- Documentation and charting
- Patient assessment
- Strong clinical judgment
- Patient education and counseling
- Wound care
- Patient monitoring
- Intravenous therapy
- Care plan development
- Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification
- Nursing staff leadership
- Precepting
- Team coordination
Accomplishments
- Supervision - Directed Mission Management Flight of 12 persons for Command level Pilot Unit (Air Mobility Command and Tanker Airlift Control Center)
- 16+ years of supervisory and charge nurse experience
- 24 hours Graduate level study and accomplishment
Certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Basic Life Support
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Registered Nurse Specialty Clinic, Endocrine & Diabetes Clinic, Rheumatology Clinic
A North Texas, Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic
05.2022 - Current
Clinical Nurse, Preoperative and Post Anesthesia Care
Medely Healthcare Professional Network
05.2022 - Current
Clinical Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Baylor Scott & White Health Care System
03.2015 - 05.2016
Clinical Nurse, Charge Nurse, Preceptor, Post Anesthesia Care Unit
JPS Hospital Network Level 1 Trauma Center
01.2014 - 05.2022
Flight Nurse, Element Leader, Mission Management, Medical Crew Director
United States Air Force
05.2011 - 12.2013
Clinical Nurse, Element Leader, Ambulatory Care
United States Air Force
06.2010 - 07.2011
Clinical Nurse, Charge Nurse, New Nurse Transition Preceptor
United States Air Force
02.2008 - 06.2010
Registered Nurse, Staff Nurse
Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center
06.2006 - 09.2007
Bachelor of Science, Nursing -
Creighton University
Graduate Study Program -
Maryville University