Cathy Chao
Long Beach,CA
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude, and excellent customer service. Strong interest in trauma-informed care, substance use disorders, and improving access to mental health services for vulnerable populations, including Veterans.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Torrance, CA
10.2025 - Current
- Performs comprehensive assessments integrating physical, psychological, and behavioral health factors
- Identifies changes in mental status and psychosocial needs impacting recovery
- Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to support safe discharge and continuity of care
Registered Nurse
College Medical Center
Long Beach, CA
07.2023 - 12.2025
- Provides care for patients with co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions
- Conducts mental status assessments and monitors response to medications
- Supports care coordination and discharge planning for complex patient populations
School Nurse
Temple City Unified School District
Temple City, CA
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Supported students with behavioral and emotional health needs through IEP accommodations
- Performed assessments and coordinated care with families and school staff
Lead Registered Nurse
Housing for Health, LA DHS
Los Angeles, CA
01.2021 - 06.2022
- Provided community-based care to underserved populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness
- Conducted risk assessments addressing safety, substance use, and mental health concerns
- Delivered harm reduction education and coordinated access to healthcare and social services
Charge Registered Nurse
Advanced Nursing Services
Los Angeles, CA
04.2020 - 12.2020
- Assessed high-risk patients in quarantine and isolation settings, identifying medical and psychosocial needs to guide appropriate care and support
- Monitored and interpreted patient symptoms, communicating changes in condition to physicians and interdisciplinary team members
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to develop and implement individualized, patient-centered care plans
- Responded to urgent and emergent situations with sound clinical judgment and adherence to safety protocols
- Supervised and trained RNs, LVNs, and support staff, promoting high standards of care and team accountability
- Fostered a compassionate, supportive environment for patients and families, emphasizing dignity and patient-centered care
Education
Master of Science - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
West Coast University of Health Sciences
Anahiem, CA11-2025
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Roseman University
Henderson, NV02-2020
Bachelor of Science - Healthcare Administration
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach12-2014
Skills
- Psychiatric assessment
- Mental status examination (MSE)
- Risk assessment (suicide, safety)
- Trauma-informed care
- Substance use awareness
- Care coordination
- Patient education
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Medication and IV administration
- Medication administration
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments
- Strong clinical judgment
- Patient assessment
- Precepting
- Telemetry monitoring
- Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification
- Complex Problem-solving
- Emergency response
- High level of autonomy
- Emotional awareness
- Emotional intelligence
- HIPAA education
Certification
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified, California (Active, Unrestricted)
- Nurse Practitioner Furnishing, California (Active, Unrestricted)
- Registered Nurse, California (Active, Unrestricted)
- Public Health Nurse, California (Active, Unrestricted)
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association
Professional Highlights
- Experience caring for high-risk and underserved populations
- Strong interest in trauma-informed and patient-centered psychiatric care
- Preceptor and mentor for new nurses
- Recognized for clinical judgment, teamwork, and adaptability in high-acuity settings
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
10.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse
College Medical Center
07.2023 - 12.2025
School Nurse
Temple City Unified School District
08.2022 - 06.2023
Lead Registered Nurse
Housing for Health, LA DHS
01.2021 - 06.2022
Charge Registered Nurse
Advanced Nursing Services
04.2020 - 12.2020
Master of Science - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
West Coast University of Health Sciences
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Roseman University
Bachelor of Science - Healthcare Administration
California State University, Long Beach