Jeniphr Cala
Woodbridge,VA
Summary
Dedicated Registered Nurse with over 18 years of experience in delivering comprehensive patient care. Advanced skills working with diverse patient populations with a focus on maximizing patient safety and proactive in managing patient needs in the acute care setting. Offering excellent clinical knowledge and judgement combined with strong assessment skills, documentation, and problem-solving abilities. Demonstrated ability to foster relationships and coordinate with health care professionals to advocate for patient needs and provide top-quality care.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Registered Nurse, Team Coordinator (IMCU)
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
Woodbridge , VA
2024.01 - Current
- Manage staffing levels within the unit while ensuring optimal levels of patient care in a 26 bed IMCU as Charge Nurse.
- Provide direct patient care, including assessments and treatments, to a variety of patients.
- Review medical charts for accuracy and completeness according to established standards.
- Provide leadership and direction to nursing staff, ensuring quality patient care.
- Resolve conflicts between staff members or between staff members and patients and families in a professional manner.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives to ensure best practice standards were met within the unit setting.
Clinical Mentor Extender
Inova Health System
Fairfax , VA
2023.01 - 2024.01
- Provide clinical guidance, support and mentorship to new graduate and international nurses
- Assess new graduate nurses' strengths and weaknesses to identify any educational gaps
- Coach and instruct new graduate nurses in areas of delegation, time management, critical thinking, prioritization, education (i.e. policy and procedure review), and wellbeing
- Relay feedback on new graduate nurses' performance, education gaps, and support needs to their unit leadership
- Participate in professional development activities such as teaching Bootcamp For New Graduate and International Nurses and Vascular Access class
Registered Nurse, Interventional Radiology
Vascular Institute Of Virginia
Woodbridge , VA
2020.09 - 2023.05
- Monitor patient’s vital signs and telemetry during the interventional radiology procedures and update the physician as needed
- Insert an IV and administer moderate sedation if required for a procedure and monitor the patient’s sedation level to keep them comfortable during the procedure
- Care for patients pre and post procedures (I.e. arteriograms, embolizations, venograms, fistulagrams, etc.) and provided education to the patient and family regarding their procedure and what to expect, discharge instructions, medication management, and health risk factors.
Registered Nurse
Novant Health Prince William Medical Center
Manassas , VA
2019.08 - 2020.10
- Deliver high-quality nursing care to patients on an 11 bed telemetry unit with emphasis on orthopedics (both pre and post-operative) and oncology patients.
- Consistently maintain core measures, patient satisfaction and HCAHPs above 80%.
- Collaborate with doctors to plan post-treatment home care and prevent return hospitalization due to complications.
- Perform blood and blood product transfusions and intravenous infusions to address patient symptoms or underlying causes.
- Treat patients using pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities to address various disorders, diseases and injuries.
- Develop and adapt individualized treatment plans according to patient recovery goals.
CNA Teaching Instructor
American Red Cross
Alexandria , VA
2019.07 - 2020.01
- Provided educational lectures according to the American Red Cross curriculum to students and led hands on learning activities in the clinical lab.
- Conducted evaluations of student performance, provided feedback and guidance on areas of improvement.
- Assessed students' knowledge and skills through assignments and exams.
- Supervised small groups of students during their clinical rotations at skilled nursing facilities.
- Encouraged active participation from all students during class discussions and activities.
Registered Nurse
Queens Medical Center
Honolulu , HI
2013.05 - 2017.07
- Provided high-quality nursing care on a 32-bed medical-surgical unit for patients suffering from chronic and acute medical concerns, including asthma, COPD, pneumonia, GI bleeds, DKA,ESRD, liver failure, sepsis, cellulitis, and wound management.
- Performed patient needs assessments after reviewing vitals and used this data to create and implement tailored care plans.
- Performed blood and blood product transfusions and IV infusions.
- Coordinated care in collaboration with patients, caregivers, and primary care physicians and/or hospitalists and modified care plans as needed to achieve patient care goals.
- Demonstrated critical thought and judgment in delivery of care and management of acute and chronic pain.
- Planned and managed patient care in alignment with hospital standards of care.
- Educated patients and caregivers on diagnoses, discharge plan objectives, chronic disease management, post op care, medication self-administration, and wound management.
- Trained and mentored new RNs and CNAs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
- Mentored and delivered clinical coaching to nursing students.
Registered Nurse Progressive Care Unit/Travel RN
Sinai Hospital(Supplemental Health Care)
Baltimore , MD
2011.09 - 2012.09
- Provided high-quality nursing care for patients on a 35-bed telemetry unit with an emphasis on myocardial infarctions, pre and post cardiac catheterization, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and ESRD.
- Assessed and continuously monitored 4-5 patients each shift, recognized critical cardiac rhythms and initiated emergency interventions.
- Responded to life-threatening emergencies as an ACLS certified RN.
- Assessed patient needs including taking vital signs, blood draws, inserting peripheral IVs, and maintaining central line catheters.
- Completed comprehensive patient assessments to determine individual needs and appropriate level of care, formulating plans of care in collaboration with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, including physicians, case managers and social workers.
- Performed blood and blood product transfusions and IV infusions to include IV push medications.
- Educated patients and caregivers on diagnoses, treatment plans and options, chronic disease management, medication management, and wound management.
- Provided necessary discharge teaching for patients and caregivers to achieve the best possible outcomes for the patient.
- Mentored and delivered clinical coaching to nursing students.
Registed Nurse Interventional Radiology/Travel RN
Reston Hospital Center(Supplemental Health Care)
Reston , VA
2011.03 - 2011.08
- Functioned as a member of a 2-3 person team, sedating and monitoring the patient throughout the IR procedure, including routine procedures such as PICC line insertion to complicated procedures such as splenic embolization and angioplasty and vascular stenting.
- Supported and observed radiological technicians and physicians with various tasks.
- Coordinated with the multidisciplinary team to provide optimum patient care by screening, prepping, and monitoring patients throughout all stages of a procedure.
- Responsible for clear, accurate, and accessible documentation of a procedure to include the surgical "time out."
- Provided patient education and follow-up care to ensure patient compliance and positive outcomes.
Registered Nurse Float Pool
Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital
Fayetteville , NC
2009.05 - 2011.02
- Provided supplemental staffing to a 66-bed long-term acute care hospital that specializes in the treatment of critically ill and medically complex patients that require extensive clinical management of multi-system organ failure, ESRD, COPD, wound infections, osteomyelitis, diabetic complications, pneumonia, and respiratory failure.
- Delivered care to a diverse patient population with serious medical conditions, both acute and chronic, that required proficiency in wound care therapies, cardiac monitoring, titration of critical drips to include heparin, vasopressors, and Lasix, tracheostomy care and ventilator weaning.
- Knowledgeable in isolation precautions, infectious disease processes, and sterile technique to be able to adequately assist the physician with bedside procedures such as thoracentesis, paracentesis, bronchoscopies, and chest tube insertions.
- Displayed sound, ethical, and independent decision-making ability consistent with medical protocols.
Registered Nurse Cardiac Cath Lab
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
Fayetteville , NC
2007.06 - 2007.12
- Assisted physicians and cardiovascular technicians during diagnostic and and interventional cardiac catheterizations as well as pacemaker placement and ablation procedures to promote optimal patient outcomes.
- Performed set up and provided equipment and supplies before, during, and after procedures.
- Assessed, prepared, and positioned patients for procedures. Documented findings in patient records and notified physician of abnormal findings.
- Performed conscious sedation and hemodynamic monitoring on patients.
Registered Nurse PCCU/Travel Nurse
Inova Fairfax Hospital (Supplemental Health Care)
Fairfax , VA
2006.05 - 2007.05
- Managed and implemented patient care for patients with cardiovascular diagnoses such as myocardial infarction, angina, heart failure, and rapid atrial fibrillation on continuous cardiac telemetry monitoring.
- Provided post operative/procedural care for the following: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Cardiac Cath, Pacemaker placement, Valve Replacement, Angioplasty/Stent Placement, etc.
- Experience in admitting and discharging patients in a timely manner focusing on admitting diagnosis and core measures.
- Delegated and supervised one to two patient care technicians per shift.
Registered Nurse Float Pool
Strong Memorial Hospital
Rochester , NY
2002.08 - 2006.04
- Provided supplemental staffing to units in need for 13 week assignments at a time on the following units: Cardiac Stepdown, Cardio-Thoracic Surgical Stepdown, and Medical and Surgical ICU.
- Delivered quality care and comfort to patients with heart failure, liver failure, pulmonary hypertension, alcohol withdrawal, pulmonary embolisms, DVTs, myocardial infarction, sepsis, etc.
- Prepared patients for stress testing, echocardiograms, peripheral diagnostic studies, cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology procedures, and surgical procedures.
- Monitored patients on continuous cardiac monitoring and continuous vital signs monitoring as necessary according to patients needs. Identified critical cardiac rhythms and intervened according to ACLS guidelines or assisted physicians at the bedside to run a code blue. Interpreted rhythm strips every 4 hours and notified physicians with any significant changes.
- Monitored post-op vitals, set up PCA, fluids, reviewed post-op orders and assimilated patients to unit post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery, VATS procedure, Valve Replacement, Liver Transplant, Femoral Artery Bypass Graft, Gastric Bypass, , Bowel resection, Carotid endarterectomy, TIPS procedure, etc.Assisted physicians with bedside procedures, including insertion and management of central, arterial and PICC lines, bronchoscopy, chest tube placement, intubation, wound debridement, cardioversion, etc.
- Assessed patient condition, progress and medication side effects, accurately recording and reporting on observations and changes to supervising physician.
- Administered oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients as well as blood and blood product transfusions and monitored responses for emergent concerns/adverse reactions.
- Monitored and maintained chest tubes, NG tubes, NG/gastric feeding tubes, JP drains, Blake drains, PD catheters, nephrostomy tubes, pacer wires.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop and adapt individualized treatment plans, consistently achieving patient care and recovery goals.
- Offered patient and family guidance and support in diagnosis and healthcare treatment/maintenance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Georgetown University
Washington, DC2002
Skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Active listener
- Hardworking and organized
- Multitasking
- Teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Flexibility
- Ability to build trust and make positive connections
Certification
- Registered Nurse, State of Virginia - Expires 08/31/2024
- BLS Certification - Exp: 03/2025
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Team Coordinator (IMCU)
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
2024.01 - Current
Clinical Mentor Extender
Inova Health System
2023.01 - 2024.01
Registered Nurse, Interventional Radiology
Vascular Institute Of Virginia
2020.09 - 2023.05
Registered Nurse
Novant Health Prince William Medical Center
2019.08 - 2020.10
CNA Teaching Instructor
American Red Cross
2019.07 - 2020.01
Registered Nurse
Queens Medical Center
2013.05 - 2017.07
Registered Nurse Progressive Care Unit/Travel RN
Sinai Hospital(Supplemental Health Care)
2011.09 - 2012.09
Registed Nurse Interventional Radiology/Travel RN
Reston Hospital Center(Supplemental Health Care)
2011.03 - 2011.08
Registered Nurse Float Pool
Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital
2009.05 - 2011.02
Registered Nurse Cardiac Cath Lab
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
2007.06 - 2007.12
Registered Nurse PCCU/Travel Nurse
Inova Fairfax Hospital (Supplemental Health Care)
2006.05 - 2007.05
Registered Nurse Float Pool
Strong Memorial Hospital
2002.08 - 2006.04
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Georgetown University
- Registered Nurse, State of Virginia - Expires 08/31/2024
- BLS Certification - Exp: 03/2025
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