IRIS LOPEZ, BSN RN
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Professional, seasoned and diligent licensed bilingual registered nurse with a history of providing empathetic care and leading peers as a relief charge nurse who holds twenty-five years of experience in the healthcare field. Areas of experience include community clinic, inpatient adult and adolescent behavioral health, long-term and acute hospital care settings. Nursing areas of passion are behavioral health and oncology. Strong in critical thinking, effective communication, adaptive and time management skills. Teamwork, responsibility and empathy is the hallmark of caring for her!
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse Medical-Surgical/Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse
Lovelace Medical Center
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
11.2021 - Current
- Relief Charge Nurse.
- Oncology Infusion.
- Assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
- Administered medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Monitored vital signs, administered injections, and provided assistance with medical procedures.
- Documented patient progress notes accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record system.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Instructed patients on proper self-care techniques at home following discharge from the hospital.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care plans.
- Ensured compliance with standards of professional practice as well as state and federal regulations related to health care delivery services.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in nursing practices by attending continuing education classes or seminars.
- Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives within the department.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Maintained a safe environment for all patients by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
- Provided emotional support and comfort to families during difficult times.
- Counseled patients regarding medication side effects or lifestyle changes necessary for improved health outcomes.
- Coordinated discharge planning activities including arranging follow up appointments or referrals for additional services.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.
REGISTERED NURSE (RN)
Banner - University Medical Center South Campus
Tucson, AZ
11.2020 - 11.2021
- Participates in the admission, discharge and or transfer of care from observation to inpatient to patient's requiring acute care via the nursing process with other members of the healthcare team
- PCU training completed
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms, heart rhythm changes, vital signs, labs or changes in patients' conditions
- Responds to or initiates Rapid Response code as needed
- Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel
- Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity
- Communicates changes in patient's clinical condition with Physicians, Nursing Supervisor/Manager, and peers as appropriate
- Develops nursing care plans in coordination with patient, family and interdisciplinary staff as necessary
REGISTERED NURSE
Kindred Hospital Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM
11.2017 - 10.2020
- Participates in the admission, discharge and care to patient's requiring transitional acute care via the nursing process with other members of the healthcare team
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms, heart rhythm changes, vital signs, labs or changes in patients' conditions
- Responds to or initiates MET code as needed
- Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel
- Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity
- Communicates changes in patient's clinical condition with Physicians, Nursing Supervisor/Manager, and peers as appropriate
- Develops nursing care plans in coordination with patient, family and interdisciplinary staff as necessary
REGISTERED NURSE
Copper Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
Avondale, AZ
12.2016 - 10.2017
- Coordinated and delivered general psychiatric nursing care via the nursing process to patients hospitalized for treatment of substance abuse, dual diagnosis of mental health disorders
- Maintained accurate, detailed reports and records
- Monitored, recorded, and reported symptoms, vital signs, labs or changes in patients' conditions
- Monitored all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity
- Directed or supervised less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel
- Ensured safety and care of all patients, at all times
- Served as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to support the organization's philosophy of care
REGISTERED NURSE
Maricopa Behavioral Health: Desert Vista & Annex
Phoenix, AZ
09.2013 - 07.2016
- Utilized the nursing process and evidenced based knowledge to provide comprehensive care to the psychiatric patient population
- Performed all aspects of care, delegated and supervised care to the less-skilled healthcare providers according to MIHS policies and functioned as a professional patient advocate and educator
- Monitored, recorded, and reported symptoms, vital signs, labs or changes in patients' conditions accurately
- Monitored all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity
- Consulted and coordinated with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans
REGISTERED NURSE
Youth Development Institute
Phoenix, AZ
06.2012 - 08.2013
- Actively participated in the development and implementation of treatment plans for adolescent clients with a broad range of medical and mental health issues by utilizing the nursing process
- Monitored, recorded, and reported symptoms, vital signs, labs or changes in patients' conditions accurately
- Monitored all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity
- Responded promptly to mental and medical health crises
- Consulted and coordinated with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans
- Provided direct support, teaching and supervision to unlicensed staff
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
Youth Development Institute
Phoenix, AZ
06.2005 - 06.2012
- Functioned as part of a healthcare team to assess adolescent patient with mental health needs and crises, plan and modify care, and implement interventions
- Administered prescribed medications at scheduled times
- In addition to noting times with amounts on adolescent patients' charts
- Measured and recorded patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration
- Recorded food and fluid intake and output
- Provided basic patient care or treatments, such as dressing wounds, scrapes, abrasions, applying bandages and/or ace wraps
- Observed adolescent patients, charting and reporting changes in medical and mental health conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action
- Prepared patients for examinations, tests, or treatments and explain procedures
- Collected samples, such as blood, urine and sputum from adolescent patients
- Evaluated nursing intervention outcomes, conferring with other healthcare team members as necessary
- Educated and train unlicensed healthcare workers
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Community Heath Systems, Inc.
Bloomington, CA
02.2002 - 09.2004
- Assisted physicians in examining and treating patients.
- Monitored vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate.
- Prepared patient rooms for examination, including stocking supplies and ensuring cleanliness.
- Maintained and monitored VFC (Vaccines for Children) program.
- Maintained accurate patient records documenting treatments, medications administered and other pertinent information.
- Collected specimens for laboratory analysis; prepared specimens for transport to lab.
- Administered prescribed medications under the direction of a physician or RN.
- Performed basic medical procedures, such as EKGs and phlebotomy, according to established protocols.
- Provided emotional support to family members during difficult times.
- Coordinated care provided by other healthcare professionals involved in patient's care plan.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
Purdue Global University
Lafayette, IN03-2026
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Phoenix, AZ05.2015
Associate of Science - Nursing
GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Glendale, AZ05.2012
Vocational Nurse -
CONCORDE CAREER COLLEGE
San Bernardino, CA12.2002
Medical Assistant -
CONCORDE CAREER COLLEGE
San Bernardino, CA12.1998
Skills
- Electronic Medical Record
- Wound Care
- Precepting
- Nursing staff leadership
- Critical Care
- Care Planning
- Culturally-sensitive care
- Chronic Disease Management
- Patient Counseling
- Spanish proficiency
- Palliative and Pain Management
- Direct nursing care
- Staff Supervision
- Emotional awareness
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Patient & Family advocacy
Certification
- Registered Nurse- NM #RN-89101
- Registered Nurse- AZ #RN174712
- Oncology Infusion
- CPR/BLS Certification
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Accomplishments
- Certificate of Appreciation September 09, 2014
- "Voice of the Patient Award" April-June 2019
- Certificate of Excellence March 2019
- Nursing Excellence Awards Nominee: Medical-Surgical Nursing Fall 2019
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Registered Nurse Medical-Surgical/Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse
Lovelace Medical Center
11.2021 - Current
REGISTERED NURSE (RN)
Banner - University Medical Center South Campus
11.2020 - 11.2021
REGISTERED NURSE
Kindred Hospital Albuquerque
11.2017 - 10.2020
REGISTERED NURSE
Copper Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
12.2016 - 10.2017
REGISTERED NURSE
Maricopa Behavioral Health: Desert Vista & Annex
09.2013 - 07.2016
REGISTERED NURSE
Youth Development Institute
06.2012 - 08.2013
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
Youth Development Institute
06.2005 - 06.2012
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Community Heath Systems, Inc.
02.2002 - 09.2004
- Registered Nurse- NM #RN-89101
- Registered Nurse- AZ #RN174712
- Oncology Infusion
- CPR/BLS Certification
Master of Science - Nursing
Purdue Global University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Associate of Science - Nursing
GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Vocational Nurse -
CONCORDE CAREER COLLEGE
Medical Assistant -
CONCORDE CAREER COLLEGE
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