Latoya Mestas
Ignacio,CO
Summary
Skilled and fully credentialed Registered Nurse offering 13+ years of clinical experience and compassionate care to patients in the field. Completion of clinical rotations in nursing homes and acute care settings. Knowledgeable and skilled in communication. Can work well as part of an interdisciplinary team. Strong documentation and prioritization skills. Experienced in wound care, NG placement, catheter insertions, IV insertions, medication administration, respiratory treatments, management and staff scheduling.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Licensed Practical Nurse
Four Corners Health Care Center
Durango, CO
08.2016 - Current
- Administered medications and treatments to patients as ordered by physician, maintaining accountability for accurate narcotic count at beginning and end of each shift.
- Worked with families, caregivers and patients to determine best options for treatment, diagnosis and prevention.
- Took samples such as blood and urine to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
- Effectively prioritized assignments, executing care based on each patient's relative condition and delegating tasks to available personnel deliver safe and efficient care.
- Delivered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections, monitoring responses to address new concerns.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical ability, appearance and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Ordered, interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient condition.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Applied interpersonal communication skills to comfort and counsel patients and families throughout care process.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs and performed catheterizations.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Four Corners Health Care Center
Durango, CO
08.2017 - 10.2018
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents and families.
- Participated in interdisciplinary management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes and resident complaints or concerns.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Collaborated with staff, management and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Evaluated work performance of all nursing personnel to determine wage increases and implement discipline.
- Monitored and inspected staff processes to eliminate hazards posed for both residents and staff while ensuring continuous compliance with regulations.
- Generated and reviewed incident reports, SBAR's, and administration records
- Communicated with patients, ensuring that medical information was kept private.
- Created customized care plans, working with nursing staff and families to assess and meet individual needs.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Collaborated with management to maintain daily operations.
- Monitored and assisted with infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Cottonwood Inn
Durango, Colorado
01.2014 - 08.2016
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Obtained biological specimens for ordered tests and prepared for laboratory transport.
- Educated clients, patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Gathered dietary information, assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives and support wellness goals.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs and performed catheterizations.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications and changes
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Performed functional assessments, daily assessments and physical examinations for admission and discharge to report changes in patient condition.
- Delivered updates in patient status to MD recording all changes in medical records.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers and discharges per facility protocol
- Monitored/ trended patient vitals, blood glucose levels in EHR to keep team informed of any changing conditions.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency situations and to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Assisted other disciplines with referrals and collaborated closely with them for patient specific needs
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Pueblo Community College
Southwest Campus - Mancos12.2020
Skills
- Pulse Oximetry Tracking/ VS monitoring
- Patient Management / Care
- Infection Control and Aseptic Procedures
- HIPAA Compliance
- Transcribing Orders
- Infection Control compliance
- Treatment Planning
- Patient Assessments / care plans
- Maintaining nutrition
- Documenting intake/ output
- EMR / EHR
- Breathing treatments
- Problem resolution
- Medical record auditing
- Employee performance
- Staff education and training
- Clinical Training
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- OR experience
- Sterilization techniques competency
- Competency in positioning of patients
- EKG skills
- Excellent communication / multitasking skills
- Skilled in head to toe assessments
- Ability to work under stressful situations
- Strong medical ethic
- Culturally sensitive
- Compassionate and able to show empathy
- Knowledge of / appropriate body mechanics
- 3rd scrub in total joints, some plastic and dental cases
- Scheduling/front desk training in OR
- Proper handling of body fluids/specimens
- Assistant director of nursing management experience
- Accepting and giving report on patients
- Competency in policies and procedures
- Triaging
- Intravenous Therapy
Timeline
Assistant Director of Nursing
Four Corners Health Care Center
08.2017 - 10.2018
Licensed Practical Nurse
Four Corners Health Care Center
08.2016 - Current
Licensed Practical Nurse
Cottonwood Inn
01.2014 - 08.2016
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Pueblo Community College