Carla Mena
Visalia,CA
Summary
Dynamic Registered Nurse with extensive experience at Kaweah Delta Hospital, excelling in emergency care and patient advocacy. Proven ability to administer medications safely and lead nursing staff, enhancing patient outcomes through strong clinical judgment and compassionate care. Committed to continuous improvement and effective communication in high-pressure environments.
- Emergency Department Registered Nurse with 14 years of experience delivering high-acuity, trauma-informed care in fast-paced emergency settings, including 6 years of charge nurse leadership. Currently practicing as an Emergency Nurse, recognized for clinical excellence, decisive leadership, and calm performance under pressure.
- Emergency Department Registered Nurse with 14 years of experience providing comprehensive emergency and trauma care in high-volume settings.
Served 6 years as Charge Nurse, overseeing unit operations, staff coordination, patient flow, and critical decision-making during high-acuity situations.
Demonstrated expertise in rapid assessment, trauma response, and crisis management while maintaining patient safety and quality of care.
Currently employed as an Emergency Nurse, delivering evidence-based care with a strong focus on teamwork, efficiency, and compassionate patient advocacy.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Corcoran State Prison
Corcoran, CA
04.2018 - Current
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to ensure effective treatment.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for inmates.
- Conducted health assessments and documented findings in electronic health records.
- Implemented infection control protocols to maintain a safe healthcare environment.
- Trained new nursing staff on facility policies and emergency procedures.
- Managed emergency medical situations, providing critical care as needed.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
Kaweah Delta Hospital
Visalia, CA
06.2005 - 04.2018
- Administered emergency care, triaging patients based on severity of conditions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to implement patient-centered treatment plans.
- Utilized advanced medical equipment and technology for diagnosis and treatment.
- Mentored junior nurses, providing guidance on best practices and protocols.
- Developed and refined workflows to enhance department efficiency and patient safety.
- Assessed patient needs, ensuring timely interventions in high-pressure situations.
- Trained staff on new procedures and technologies to improve service delivery.
- Demonstrated strong clinical reasoning skills when assessing patients'' conditions, initiating appropriate interventions, and escalating concerns to physicians as needed.
- Improved patient outcomes by consistently providing high-quality emergency care and implementing evidence-based nursing practices.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients presenting with diverse medical conditions in the Emergency Department.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds, and thoracic trauma.
- Acted as a resource for colleagues by sharing clinical expertise, participating in educational opportunities, and serving as a preceptor for new nurses joining the Emergency Department team.
- Answered codes quickly and orchestrated efficient, skilled medical care.
- Upheld professional nursing standards and ethical principles when advocating for patients'' rights, respecting their autonomy, and maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Prevented potential medication errors by diligently verifying orders, double-checking dosages, and administering medications according to established protocols.
- Coordinated with healthcare teams to ensure seamless patient transitions from emergency care to specialized departments.
- Administered emergency medications to stabilize patients, improving chances for recovery.
- Participated in continuous education programs to stay updated with latest in emergency nursing practices.
- Assisted in training and mentoring of new nursing staff, ensuring high standards of care.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
Radiation Oncology Registered Nurse
Kaweah Delta Hospital
Visalia, CA
2010 - 2016
- Administered radiation treatments according to prescribed protocols, ensuring patient safety and comfort.
- Monitored patient responses during therapy sessions, adjusting care plans as necessary for optimal outcomes.
- Collaborated with oncologists and interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment strategies.
- Educated patients on radiation procedures, potential side effects, and aftercare instructions for informed decision-making.
- Implemented process improvements that enhanced workflow efficiency in treatment delivery and patient care services.
- Maintained accurate medical records to track patient progress, document treatments administered, and monitor trends in response to therapy over time.
- Promoted a safe working environment within the radiation oncology department by adhering to safety protocols and reporting any potential hazards or incidents promptly.
- Contributed to the development of departmental policies and procedures to ensure consistent delivery of optimal patient care.
- Provided emotional support for patients undergoing radiation therapy, helping them cope with the challenges associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- Educated patients on post-treatment care instructions, ensuring adherence to guidelines for managing potential side effects and promoting overall wellbeing.
- Assessed patients during course of treatment to identify concerning reactions.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
Education
Associate of Science - Health Sciences
College of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA06.2005
Skills
Medication and IV administration
Medication administration
Direct patient care
Patient assessments
Documentation and charting
Patient assessment
Strong clinical judgment
Patient education and counseling
Clinical judgment
Patient and family advocacy
Patient care
Compassion and empathy
Patient monitoring
IV setup
Intravenous therapy
Professional bedside manner
Physical assessments
Patient care planning
Patient evaluation
Telemetry monitoring
Family education
Licensed RN
Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification
Taking vitals
Critical care
Collecting vitals
Nursing staff leadership
Medication distribution
Precepting
Patient discharge
Lab result interpretation
EMR systems
Performing ekgs
Complex Problem-solving
Proper catheter insertion/removal
Intake and discharge
Emergency response
EMR / EHR
Procedure preparations
Emergency procedures
Emergency care
Cardiac care
Mental health nursing
Appointment scheduling
Call triaging
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Corcoran State Prison
04.2018 - Current
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
Kaweah Delta Hospital
06.2005 - 04.2018
Radiation Oncology Registered Nurse
Kaweah Delta Hospital
2010 - 2016
Associate of Science - Health Sciences
College of The Sequoias