Elena Rubio-McDonald
Plano,TX
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse with an advanced degree in nursing education and over 20 years of experience in Professional Development, Progressive Care, and Medical-Surgical Nursing. Well versed in clinical education best practices, competency evaluation, and interdisciplinary collaboration for unit and organizational excellence. Focused on producing positive transition to practice outcomes while simultaneously providing high-quality care to patients.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Nurse Educator
Parkland Health
12.2019 - Current
- Clinical Nurse Educator/Nursing Professional Development Practitioner for large, urban safety-net hospital serving a vulnerable patient population in north Texas.
- Nursing and Clinical Operations Policy and Procedure Specialist.
- Provides onboarding and orientation for experienced nurses, unlicensed assistive personnel, and graduate nurses to promote patient safety and clinical excellence.
- Teach effective and efficient nursing practice through application of evidence-based practice in medical-surgical, progressive, neuroscience, acute, and critical care environments.
- Lead the development of annual training plans based on identified gaps in knowledge or skills.
- Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration that supports diverse perspectives and promotes patient-centered solutions.
- Integrate clinical improvement strategies in educational design aligned to organizational, state, and national nursing standards.
- Facilitate open communication between management and clinical staff, addressing concerns and implementing solutions to improve overall team satisfaction.
- Improve nursing competency evaluation through the creation and delivery of targeted training sessions and workshops.
Operating Room Staff Nurse
Baylor Scott & White Health
03.2019 - 10.2019
- AORN Nurse Residency Program completion
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and lifestyle options.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Acted as a patient advocate, ensuring their needs were met and their rights protected throughout the healthcare journey.
School Nurse
Carpenter Middle School
09.2017 - 01.2019
- Managed health services for school of 685 students and faculty.
- Monitored ongoing medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes, adjusting care plans accordingly to maintain optimal student wellness levels.
- Implemented emergency protocols in medical emergencies to promote safety for students and staff.
- Educated students on various health topics to promote overall health and wellbeing.
- Served as a resource for faculty and staff by providing training on first aid, CPR, and other health-related topics.
Clinical Nurse Educator
Baylor Scott & White Health
04.2014 - 08.2017
- Clinical Nurse Educator/Nursing Professional Development Practitioner for Critical Care, Emergency Services, and Interventional Radiology Services clinical staff.
- Improved nursing competency through the creation and delivery of targeted training sessions and workshops.
- Coordinated continuing education events, connecting nurses with relevant resources to advance their expertise within their respective fields.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to ensure consistent patient care and education across various departments.
- Educated nursing staff on successful methods for performing in the role of Charge Nurse, Preceptor, and Telemetry Monitoring.
Progressive Care Staff Nurse
Baylor Scott & White Health
02.2011 - 04.2014
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Improved patient satisfaction scores by providing empathetic, compassionate care to diverse populations.
- Exhibited strong critical thinking skills when assessing complex medical situations and determining appropriate interventions.
Medical-Surgical & Transplant Staff Nurse
Parkland Health
09.2008 - 04.2011
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed detailed nursing assessment and interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Promoted a culture of safety by strictly adhering to infection control measures and reporting any potential hazards or concerns.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient assessments and treatment plans.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
Staff Nurse
Cheyenne Regional Medical Center
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Staff Nurse, Nursery, Resource Pool, Medical Intensive Care
Staff Nurse
Presbyterian Healthcare Services
01.2000 - 01.2000
- Staff Nurse, Medical Intensive Care
Education
Master of Science in Nursing Education -
University of Texas at Tyler
Tyler, TX12.2023
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX05.2000
Skills
- Staff Development
- Onboarding
- Transition to Practice
- Quality Improvement
- Clinical Expertise
- Interprofessional Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Progressive Care Nursing
Certification
- Advanced Life Support Instructor Certification, American Red Cross, 2016-Current
- Advanced Wilderness Life Support Certification (AWLS), 2014-2019
- Basic Life Support Instructor Certification, American Red Cross, 2016-Current
- Medical-Surgical Nurse Certification (RN-BC), Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, 2016-2021
- Progressive Care Nurse Certification (PCCN-K), Association of Critical-care Nurses, 2023-Current
- State Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Certification, Texas Health Department, 2017-2023
Memberships & Leadership
- UT Tyler: Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society – Iota Nu Chapter, Nominated for the Graduate Student Excellence Award
- Parkland Health: Nursing Policy and Procedure Committee Co-chair, Evidence-based Practice and Research Council; Nurses in Support Roles Council – Clinical Education Department Representative; Clinical Education Department Nursing Professional Development Team
- Baylor Scott & White Health: Shared Governance Hospital wide Staff Nurse Council Chair; Unit-based Council Chair – Progressive Care Unit
- Association of Critical-care Nurses
- Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
Publications
Effect of Doula Care Education on Cesarean Section Rates: A Benchmark Study, University of Texas at Tyler | Scholar Works, https://scholarworks.uttyler.edu/cgi/preview.cgi?article=1324&context=nursing_msn
Community Service
- Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Advisor, 2018, 2023, Troop 1000 Plano
- Boy Scouts of America, Committee Chair, 2016, 2018, Troop 1000 Plano
- Boy Scouts of America, District Trainer, 2010, 2011
- Boy Scouts of America, Outdoor Activities Chair, 2011, 2012, Troop 1013 Prosper
Timeline
Clinical Nurse Educator
Parkland Health
12.2019 - Current
Operating Room Staff Nurse
Baylor Scott & White Health
03.2019 - 10.2019
School Nurse
Carpenter Middle School
09.2017 - 01.2019
Clinical Nurse Educator
Baylor Scott & White Health
04.2014 - 08.2017
Progressive Care Staff Nurse
Baylor Scott & White Health
02.2011 - 04.2014
Medical-Surgical & Transplant Staff Nurse
Parkland Health
09.2008 - 04.2011
Staff Nurse
Cheyenne Regional Medical Center
01.2002 - 01.2005
Staff Nurse
Presbyterian Healthcare Services
01.2000 - 01.2000
Master of Science in Nursing Education -
University of Texas at Tyler
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Texas Woman's University