Krystal Garza
Summary
Knowledgeable Director of Nursing with comprehensive background in leading nursing teams and enhancing patient care standards. Proficient in implementing strategic initiatives that drive quality improvement and operational efficiency. Demonstrated ability in staff development and fostering collaborative environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Post-Surgical and Rehab Nurse Director
Mission Regional Medical Center
01.2023 - Current
- Provides direct supervision to Medical-Surgical and Rehabilitation units with a combined capacity of 52 beds.
- Establish goals for the nursing department.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Streamlined nursing operations by optimizing staffing schedules, resource allocation, and workflow processes.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Worked closely with administration to develop and implement best practices to improve patient outcomes.
- Promotes employee and customer satisfaction as well as provision of quality patient care.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Oversaw and approved hiring and orientation of new nursing staff. Provided direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Enhanced staff performance by conducting regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and patients for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Managed budgets effectively, identifying cost-saving measures while maintaining high-quality patient care standards.
- Led quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes through data-driven analysis and targeted interventions.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by fostering a compassionate and supportive environment within the nursing department.
Nursing Director of Telemetry and ICU
Knapp Medical Center
04.2022 - 10.2022
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss, patient status, census changes, and patient complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, patients, and families.
- Streamlined nursing operations by optimizing staffing schedules, resource allocation, and workflow processes.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Worked closely with administration to develop and implement best practices to improve patient outcomes.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Promoted a culture of safety by enforcing compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
- Managed budgets effectively, identifying cost-saving measures while maintaining high-quality patient care standards.
- Mentored new nurses through orientation programs, facilitating their integration into the team and fostering their professional growth.
- Prepared and reviewed infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
Registered Nurse, Nurse Manager
Knapp Medical Center
05.2021 - 04.2022
- Develop and implement nursing policies, procedures, and protocols to improve patient outcomes and enhance the overall patient experience.
- Monitor departmental productivity, ensuring cost-effective staffing, and operational efficiency.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
Registered Nurse, House Supervisor
Knapp Medical Center
01.2018 - 05.2021
- As a House Supervisor I managed admissions and discharges efficiently.
- Ensured all departments were staffed appropriately.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, providing emotional support during challenging situations.
- Addressed patient concerns promptly by investigating issues thoroughly and collaborating with appropriate personnel to resolve problems efficiently.
- Served as a liaison between administration, medical staff, and nursing team for seamless communication and coordination of care efforts.
- Managed staffing schedules, ensuring adequate coverage for all shifts while minimizing overtime costs.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Advocated for patient needs within the healthcare organization, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to optimize resource allocation and service delivery.
- Promoted a safe and healthy work environment through adherence to infection control policies and procedures.
- Enhanced overall staff morale by recognizing individual achievements and fostering a collaborative, supportive work environment.
- Enhanced communication between departments for smooth patient transfers and efficient use of resources.
Registered Nurse
Knapp Medical Center
02.2013 - 01.2018
- Work alongside physicians, dieticians, physical therapists, and the entire healthcare team to provide my patients with an optimal outcome.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care, ensuring seamless communication between healthcare providers.
- Educate patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Consistently maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Closely monitor acute conditions.
- Skillfully performed venipuncture, IV insertion, and catheterizations, ensuring proper technique and adherence to infection control standards.
- Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.
- Develop patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations and nursing diagnoses
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
- Educate patients on their diagnoses and prevention.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families through active listening, empathy, and clear communication during challenging situations.
- Precept newly hired nurses, teaching them hands-on skills, time management, and caring for patients and their families.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction with compassionate, personalized nursing care tailored to each individual''s needs.
- As a charge nurse on the Medical-Surgical Unit managing and ensuring each and every nurse and patient are properly taken care of.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens, and pain management techniques.
- Administer and monitor chemotherapy medications to oncology patients.
- Managed complex wound care, including dressing changes, monitoring for signs of infection, and collaborating with wound care specialists as needed.
- Demonstrated flexibility in managing multiple priorities concurrently during high-stress periods while maintaining a calm demeanor.
- Implemented fall prevention strategies to minimize patient injuries and promote a safe environment within the medical-surgical unit.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Provide support to nursing personnel and maintain the organization's mission and values
- Mentored new staff members and nursing students, fostering a supportive learning environment within the unit.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Monitored patient vital signs to perform thorough condition assessments.
Education
MASTER'S OF SCIENCE - Nursing Education
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO-GRANDE VALLEY
Edinburg, TX12.2015
BACHELOR'S OF SCIENCE - Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PAN-AMERICAN
Edinburg, TX12.2012
Skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Strong Clinical judgment
- Palliative care experience
- Cardiac care experience
- Intensive care unit experience
- Hospice care experience
- Rehabilitative care experience
- Post-Surgical care experience
- Nurse education and training
- Leadership and guidance
- Strong work ethic
- Professional development
- Budget/Productivity management
- Policies compliance enforcement
- Staff recruitment and retention
- Staff scheduling
- Critical/Analytical thinking
- Relationship building
- Policy development
- Nursing staff supervision
- Interdepartmental collaboration
- Nursing ethics
- Patient advocacy
- Patient safety
Certification
- American Heart Association BLS, 2025
- American Heart Association ACLS, 2025
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Post-Surgical and Rehab Nurse Director
Mission Regional Medical Center
01.2023 - Current
Nursing Director of Telemetry and ICU
Knapp Medical Center
04.2022 - 10.2022
Registered Nurse, Nurse Manager
Knapp Medical Center
05.2021 - 04.2022
Registered Nurse, House Supervisor
Knapp Medical Center
01.2018 - 05.2021
Registered Nurse
Knapp Medical Center
02.2013 - 01.2018
BACHELOR'S OF SCIENCE - Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PAN-AMERICAN
MASTER'S OF SCIENCE - Nursing Education
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO-GRANDE VALLEY
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