CYNTHIA LAFUENTE
SAN ANTONIO,TEXAS
Summary
Patient-oriented Nurse with many years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision, and varied department operations. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments. Worked with people in various environments. Excel in planning and teaching. Trained as a Critical Care Nurse, through Methodist Hospital.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Methodist Converse Free-standing ED
San Antonio, Texas
06.2024 - Current
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Mentored and supervised nursing staff, fostering professional growth and development.
- Managed staffing needs by creating schedules, adjusting assignments based on patient acuity levels, and delegating tasks efficiently.
- Facilitated timely discharge planning by collaborating with patients, families, and healthcare providers.
- Provided comprehensive patient education on disease management, medication administration, and self-care techniques.
- Contributed to quality improvement initiatives through data collection, analysis, and implementation of best practices.
- Developed strong working relationships with community resources to expand available support services for patients upon discharge.
- Served as a liaison between patients, families, and physicians to ensure clear communication and continuity of care.
- Addressed performance issues among nursing staff through constructive feedback during evaluations or informal coaching sessions.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores through the implementation of evidence-based nursing practices focused on meeting individual needs.
- Motivated nursing staff to pursue advanced training and collaborated with unit leaders to identify skill needs.
- Collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to devise and manage individualized plans of care.
- Supported patient self-advocacy within family relationships and during treatment plans.
- Introduced initiatives based on staff education, infection control audits, safe medication administration and proper wound care to achieve unit and facility goals.
ER Nurse
Methodist Converse Free-standing ED
San Antonio, TX
06.2022 - Current
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Nurse Refresher Student
St. David's North Austin Medical Center
Austin, TX
04.2022 - Current
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Examined wounds and treated lacerations with bandaging, suturing and topical medications.
- Educated and guided patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits to prevent Type-2 diabetes and other complications.
- Teamed with physicians to provide comprehensive patient care, referrals and high-risk management strategies.
- Evaluated new patients by taking vital signs, reviewing lab results and taking visual assessment of patients.
- Educated patients on treatment options, medical needs and non-medical options for treatments and therapy.
- Provided preventive care such as well-child checks, adult physicals and gynecological examinations.
- Used MEDITECH to create detailed patient reports on patient's condition status and treatments received.
- Helped patients manage acute and chronic pain.
- Prescribed appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
- Performed patient physicals and compared and contrasted results with established medical records to provide proper diagnosis and facilitate appropriate treatment.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Explained medications and side effects to patients, family members and caregivers and thoroughly reviewed physician-ordered tests.
SCIENCE TEACHER
Antonian Prep High School
San Antonio, Texas
08.2018 - Current
- Taught AP Biology, Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology
- Managed more than 100 students per day.
- Worked one to one with students and parents to resocialize students to an in person teaching environment.
- Established lesson plans and projects
DEPARTMENT CHAIR, TEACHER
Holy Cross High School
San Antonio, Texas
08.2010 - 05.2018
- Science Department Chair.
- Teach Freshman Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, AP Biology, AP Environmental, 6th grade Math, 7th and 8th grade Science.
- National Honor Society Sponsor.
- Academic Team Sponsor.
- Freshman Class Sponsor.
VICE-PRINCIPAL/TEACHER
St. Monica Catholic School
San Antonio, Texas
08.2007 - 05.2010
- Assist in the running of a middle school, which including curriculum design, class scheduling, budgeting.
- Teaching Algebra I/Biology.
TEACHER
St. Monica Catholic School
San Antonio, Texas
08.2005 - 05.2007
- Initiated science department in new middle school, ordered supplies, developed science and math curriculum.
Elementary School Nurse
Huppertz Elementary
San Antonio, United States
08.2003 - 05.2005
- Oversaw health services for students and faculty.
- Developed care plans and made referrals as necessary for students with health concerns or injuries.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Served as liaison between families, school personnel and other healthcare providers on behalf of students.
Charge Nurse
Santa Rosa Hospital Medical Center
San Antonio, TX
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes and treatment implementations.
- Implemented quality patient care techniques to align with safety, health and organizational regulations.
- Triaged incoming phone calls from emergency rooms and inpatient units to determine needs and prioritize care.
- Administered medications and treatments to patients as ordered by physician, maintaining accountability for accurate narcotic count at end of each shift.
RN Floor Nurse-Telemetry
Methodist Medical Center
San Antonio, TX
- Observed patient health and side effects from treatments and medications, noting all details in patient chart.
- Administered heart and blood pressure medication to cardiac patients as prescribed by physicians.
- Provided patients with information on such subjects as side effects from medications and benefits of proper nutrition to help promote better outcomes.
- Collaborated across disciplines to coordinate disposition, referral and psychosocial support needs.
Education
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX 08.2023 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of The Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX05.1996
No Degree - NURSE REFRESHER COURSE
Austin Community College
Austin, TX06.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
St. Mary's University
San Antonio, TX05.1992
Master of Arts - Education And Catholic School Leadership
ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY
San Antonio, TX05.2013
Skills
- Equipment Sterilization
- Decision Making
- Nursing Consultation
- Procedure Assistance
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Critical Thinking
- Patient Condition Monitoring
- Accurate Documentation
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- First Aid
Additional Information
- BLS American Heart Association and Red Cross
- TNCC
- ALS
- PALS
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Methodist Converse Free-standing ED
06.2024 - Current
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
Angelo State University
08.2023 - Current
ER Nurse
Methodist Converse Free-standing ED
06.2022 - Current
Nurse Refresher Student
St. David's North Austin Medical Center
04.2022 - Current
SCIENCE TEACHER
Antonian Prep High School
08.2018 - Current
DEPARTMENT CHAIR, TEACHER
Holy Cross High School
08.2010 - 05.2018
VICE-PRINCIPAL/TEACHER
St. Monica Catholic School
08.2007 - 05.2010
TEACHER
St. Monica Catholic School
08.2005 - 05.2007
Elementary School Nurse
Huppertz Elementary
08.2003 - 05.2005
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of The Incarnate Word
No Degree - NURSE REFRESHER COURSE
Austin Community College
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
St. Mary's University
Master of Arts - Education And Catholic School Leadership
ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Charge Nurse
Santa Rosa Hospital Medical Center
RN Floor Nurse-Telemetry
Methodist Medical Center
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