Francis Lapena
Blackwood,NJ
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate nurse with 29 years of experience and success in providing individualized patient care. Committed to delivering best-in-class patient care through effective education and counseling. Proven leadership focused on increasing and enhancing patient care and satisfaction. Streamline safety protocols for comprehensive patient care.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Nurse, Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
08.2019 - Current
- Catered to patients undergoing major surgeries such as abdominal, thoracic, EVAR, vascular surgeries, ENT(radical neck dissection), Neurological( laminectomy and discectomy procedures)
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Acted as a patient advocate, ensuring their needs were met and their rights protected throughout their healthcare journey.
- Promoted a culture of safety by strictly adhering to infection control measures and reporting any potential hazards or concerns.
- Exhibited strong critical thinking skills when assessing complex medical situations and determining appropriate interventions.
- Educated patients on self-care management, empowering them to take an active role in their overall health and wellbeing.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient assessments and treatment plans.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Mentored new nursing staff, supporting their professional growth and development.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic procedures, ensuring accurate results for optimal treatment planning.
Staff Nurse, Medical, Telemetry and Oncology Unit
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
10.2010 - 07.2019
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic procedures, ensuring accurate results for optimal treatment planning.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Exhibited strong critical thinking skills when assessing complex medical situations and determining appropriate interventions.
- Streamlined workflow processes to increase efficiency in a high-volume clinical setting.
- Participated in hospital committees to recommend quality improvement initiatives.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
Staff Nurse, Progressive Care Unit
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
11.2006 - 09.2010
- Mainly took care of patients who underwent cardiac catheterization procedures, stroke patients, post open heart surgery patients who are transitioning from ICU, patients with respiratory conditions who does not qualify ICU admissions.
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Provided didactic and clinical instructions to orient new nurses and potential student nurses to achieve training outcomes. Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity. Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
Staff Nurse, Progressive Care Unit
Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital
04.2005 - 09.2006
- Patient population comprises of patients who underwent cardiac catheterization procedures, stroke, open heart surgery patients who are discharged from the ICU setting, neurological patients.
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy. Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
Staff Nurse, Operating Room
University Medical Center
02.2003 - 03.2005
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures by being the circulator.
- Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Provided effective bedside care to patients before and after procedures to deliver comfort.
- Verified patient information to make licensed staff aware of relevant health factors.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Strengthened training and nursing knowledge by taking part in continuing education programs.
- Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing.
- Observed surgeon's body language, movements and demeanor during operations to anticipate needs.
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
Staff Nurse, Operating Room and Recovery Room
St. Luke's Medical Center
07.1995 - 01.2003
- Provided effective bedside care to patients before and after procedures to deliver comfort.
- Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures by serving as both being circulating and scrub nurse.
- Coordinated nursing care to be carried out according to facility guidelines and regulations.
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
- Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing.
- Observed surgeon's body language, movements and demeanor during operations to anticipate needs.
- Verified patient information to make licensed staff aware of relevant health factors.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Accurately documented treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Strengthened training and nursing knowledge by taking part in continuing education programs.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Santo Tomas
Manila, Philippines03-1994
Skills
- Central line management
- Catheter care
- Airway management
- Fluid balance monitoring
- Intravenous therapy
- Family communication
- Telemetry monitoring
- Pressure ulcer prevention
- Tracheostomy care
- Discharge planning
- Postoperative care
- Blood transfusion
- Surgical recovery
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Ventilator management
Affiliations
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Daisy Award Nominee
I was nominated for the award for demonstrating empathy for patients and family in a safe, caring and healing environment,
Timeline
Staff Nurse, Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
08.2019 - Current
Staff Nurse, Medical, Telemetry and Oncology Unit
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
10.2010 - 07.2019
Staff Nurse, Progressive Care Unit
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
11.2006 - 09.2010
Staff Nurse, Progressive Care Unit
Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital
04.2005 - 09.2006
Staff Nurse, Operating Room
University Medical Center
02.2003 - 03.2005
Staff Nurse, Operating Room and Recovery Room
St. Luke's Medical Center
07.1995 - 01.2003
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Santo Tomas
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