ESMERALDA SANTIBANEZ
Houston
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse with strong background in direct patient care and medical support in fast-paced environment. Familiar in managing patients with complex wounds, fistulas, ostomies and negative pressure wound therapy. 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.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, Cardiac Intermediate Unit
Harris Health System (Ben Taub Hospital)
Houston, Tx
09.2015 - Current
- Provided comprehensive care for an Acute Care, Level 1 Trauma Center, high-acuity 22 bed Cardiac IMU unit with a patient load of 4 patients per shift.
- Monitored, assessed, managed and educated post cardiac catheterization patients ensuring strict hemodynamic monitoring and timely identification of vascular complications.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to coordinate individualized care and implement effective, safe discharge plans for: geriatric, adult, COVID-19, post-surgical, NSTEMI, heart failure, stroke, dementia, psychiatric/behavioral, ventilator-assisted, dialysis, wound-care, palliative and chronic co-morbid disease management patient population.
- Led a team of 6 nurses and 3 PCAs as a Charge Nurse effectively managing emergency responses (codes) and staff assignments during high-acuity scenarios.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians using the SBAR method and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Administered medications and treatments in accordance with established protocols and safety guidelines.
- Complied with Nursing Quality Standards and practices necessary to meet outcome targets for quality indicators (ex: FALLS,CLABSI, CAUTI, Pressure Ulcers) helping the unit receive in 2018 & 2019 the Diamond and Sapphire Luminary Award that recognizes units for demonstrating excellence in quality, professional development and leadership; incorporated safety measures into nursing practice; adhered to Infection Prevention Standards and participated in quality audits and safety rounds.
- Initiated the quality improvement project to prevent falls in the unit called "Falling Stars," in 2018 resulting in a decrease of 20% in patient falls within the unit.
- Participated as a member of the Community of Practice in the Cardiac IMU.
- Trained and mentored new nursing staff on best practices and hospital policies to enhance team performance and contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care evident by receiving in 2016 the 5E Employee of the Quarter Award that honors exceptional staff for high-performance, dedication and demonstrating core values making a lasting impact on patient care and supporting the organization's mission.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth in developing critical thinking skills in a county hospital setting.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs evident by receiving in 2017 the Harris Health Hero that recognizes outstanding employees who demonstrate exceptional compassion, dedication, and clinical expertise in caring for patients.
Registered Nurse, Acute Rehabilitation Unit & ICU
Kindred Healthcare Hospital
Houston, Tx
02.2014 - 09.2015
- Intensive Care Unit (October 2014 - September 2015); 2-3 patients per shift.
- Acute Rehabilitation Unit (February - October 2014); 6-7 patients per shift.
- Provided comprehensive care for a long-term acute care facility, 86 bed capacity with an acute rehab and intensive care unit.
- Delivered specialized care and implemented discharge plans for acute patients with serious conditions such as respiratory failure, complex wounds, osteomyelitis, sepsis, stroke, congestive heart failure, often complicated by existing health problems like diabetes or COPD.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments and maintained accurate patient records using both paper charts and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems.
- Administered, titrated, and managed complex hemodynamics with vasoactive drips and continuous sedation.
- Monitored patient responses to treatment plans including: mechanical ventilation, respiratory therapy, dialysis, IV therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, and pulse lavage in accordance with established protocols and safety guidelines.
- Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
- Set up and assisted physicians with bedside sterile procedures committed to reducing infection rates through precise aseptic technique.
- Assisted patients with daily activities and therapeutic exercises, improving independence in self-care and helping in mobility restoration.
- Safely transferred patients with limited mobility between beds, wheelchairs, and commodes using a Hoyer lift, adhering strictly to safety protocols.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Escalated acute changes in patient condition to physicians, and nursing supervisor/manager ensuring prompt intervention and improved outcomes.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Implemented infection control protocols, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and best practices.
- Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
Registered Nurse
Vita-Living, Inc.
Houston, Tx
10.2013 - 02.2014
- Served as a clinical expert on a non-profit ICF (Intermediate Care Facility) consisting of 20 group homes/80 residents with a caseload of around 30 residents and 1 ICF Home consisting of 5 residents.
- Quickly responded and conducted focused assessments and phone assessments from field for residents: adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to identify changes in condition for residents and make the decision if condition warrants a primary care provider appointment or a hospital ER visit.
- Followed Physician's orders and communicated changes in health with physician, staff, family members and pharmacy.
- Completed and updated the State mandated Nursing Comprehensive Assessment for Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.
- Attended annual meetings for each resident on a caseload of 30 residents and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to improve their quality of life and offer tailored programming and medical attention.
- Managed daily documentation of nursing services and updated MAR for each resident as needed and monthly.
- Participated in on call duty once every 3 weeks.
- Conducted onboarding training sessions for new Direct Support Professionals (DSP) employees in Nursing/Medication Delegation. Training included: 10 rights of medication administration, protocols for administering and storing medications safely, accurate record-keeping in medication logs and reporting changes in a resident's condition to nursing staff.
Education
Wound, Ostomy, And Continence Nursing Program - Nursing
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing At Emory University
05-2023
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
The University of Texas Health Science Center At Houston (UTHealth) School of Nursing
08-2013
Skills
- Wound care
- Tracheostomy care- ventilator management
- Cardiac care- vascular closure device (Angio-seal) & TR band management
- Hospice and palliative care
- Long-term care
- Intravenous therapy: vasoactive drip titration & continuous sedation
- Telemetry & Hemodynamic monitoring: 12 lead EKG and ABG interpretation
- EMR (ProTouch)/EHR (Epic) systems
- Proficient in operating a hydraulic hoyer lift
- FLUENT IN SPANISH
Certification
- Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN), Expiration date: November 30, 2028
- Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN), Expiration date: January 31, 2028
- ACLS Provider, Expiration date: February 2027
- Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, Expiration date: August 2026
- Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA) certification, Expiration date: July 31, 2026
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Cardiac Intermediate Unit
Harris Health System (Ben Taub Hospital)
09.2015 - Current
Registered Nurse, Acute Rehabilitation Unit & ICU
Kindred Healthcare Hospital
02.2014 - 09.2015
Registered Nurse
Vita-Living, Inc.
10.2013 - 02.2014
Wound, Ostomy, And Continence Nursing Program - Nursing
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing At Emory University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
The University of Texas Health Science Center At Houston (UTHealth) School of Nursing
MEMBERSHIPS
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Member, 2024-Present
- Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society, Member, 2023-Present