Laura Alvarado
Helena,MT
Summary
Ambitious Board Certified Registered Nurse. Proven ability to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service. Expert in all aspects of patient care with success in working with multidisciplinary teams to create care plans focused on helping patients recover from medical or surgical procedures. Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong worth ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Coordinator RN
St Peters Health Care
Helena, MT
07.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of care.
- Ordered medications, supplies, equipment, and tests as necessary for proper patient care.
- Administered medications and various vaccines and performed in-office labs and tests.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Referred patients to specialized health resources or community agencies to furnish additional assistance.
Registered Nurse-PACU
Christus Surgery Center -Alamo Heights
San Antonio, TX
05.2022 - 03.2023
- Delivered individualized care to post-operative patients by monitoring pain levels, checking vital signs and explaining next steps to recovery.
- Utilized effective communication skills to educate patients and family members on side effects from both surgery and anesthesia.
- Evaluated patients recovering from surgeries and coming out of anesthesia.
- Monitored patient pain levels and administered medication to diminish patient discomfort.
- Employed nursing best practices and clinical judgment to continuously evaluate patients' progress and employed intervention to achieve desired outcomes.
- Administered medications to manage progression off anesthesia medications, deal with side effects and promote recovery.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Evaluated assigned patients to effectively plan, implement and document skilled nursing care.
- Helped patients regain independence with clear recovery goals and guidance.
Pre Operative/PACU Registered Nurse
Dr. Gary Lawton
San Antonio, TX
02.2018 - 04.2021
- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, including treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care
- Managed care for post-operative patients from initial recovery through discharge
- Managed care from admission to discharge, including patient assessments, care planning, health educations and discharging support to provide comprehensive care to over 7 patients daily
- Implemented interventions, including medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management
- Adhered to strict safety measures by carefully determining proper dosages before administering medications
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions
- Organized, implemented and appraised perioperative nursing care for each patient throughout entire surgery experience.
- Administered pain medication and implemented management techniques to assist patients experiencing discomfort.
- Individualized care for each surgical patient by soothing anxieties, checking vital signs and explaining procedures.
- Collaborated with health groups to plan or implement programs designed to improve overall health of communities.
- Conducted specified laboratory tests to help detect conditions and determine diagnosis.
- Administered local, inhalation or intravenous anesthetics to patients undergoing procedures.
- Delivered individualized care to post-operative patients by monitoring pain levels, checking vital signs and explaining next steps to recovery.
- Utilized effective communication skills to educate patients and family members on side effects from both surgery and anesthesia.
- Evaluated assigned patients to effectively plan, implement and document skilled nursing care.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
Registered Nurse
HCA Methodist Metropolitan Hospital
San Antonio, TX
05.2016 - 02.2018
- Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations
- Performed triage on all incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses
- Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Centene Corp
San Antonio, TX
05.2014 - 05.2016
- Identified care needs of individual patients and coordinated responses based on physician advice, insurance limitations and procedural costs
- Reduced care costs without sacrificing quality through effective service coordination and multidisciplinary collaboration
- Coordinated care of injured workers by liaising with hospital staff to organize treatments and program resources
- Authored clinical notes and updates to be reviewed by patient's primary physician
- Worked with suppliers and vendors on provision of medical equipment, items and services
- Created individualized care plans based on nursing diagnosis and incorporated appropriate nursing methods to achieve positive outcomes
- Education
Clinic LVN
On Assignment Healthcare Staffing
San Antonio, TX
09.2013 - 03.2014
- Prepared patient rooms for visits by cleaning, sanitizing equipment and stocking supplies.
- Performed nursing assessments and collected patient medical histories to help determine proper diagnosis.
- Cared for clinic patients by administering medications and treatments for various conditions.
LVN Case Manager
Health Care Support Staffing
San Antonio, TX
07.2011 - 03.2013
- Looked for physical, emotional and symptomatic changes in patient condition and obtained necessary care for medical concerns.
- Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients.
- Collected and documented vital signs to track current patient conditions.
- Communicated concerns regarding patients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers.
Home Health LVN
Encompass Home Health
San Antonio, TX
07.2011 - 07.2012
- Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds and managed catheters.
- Answered patient calls, identified issues and determined how best to provide assistance within parameters established by facility and supervisor.
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information.
- Inserted, cared for and removed patients' catheters and monitored fluid output.
Home Health LVN
Everlasting Home Health
San Antonio, TX
08.2010 - 05.2011
- Charted changes in patient conditions and discussed concerns with supervising healthcare provider.
- Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds and managed catheters.
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information.
Home Health LVN
Encompass Home Health
San Antonio, TX
10.2007 - 08.2010
- Worked with registered nurses to deliver comprehensive, high-quality care to patients.
- Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds and managed catheters.
- Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients.
- Monitored patient's respiration activity, blood pressure and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions
San Antonio, TX05.2011
Licensed Vocational Nursing - Nursing
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions
San Antonio, TX08.2007
Skills
- Immunizations and Vaccinations
- Patient Examination
- Attention to Detail
- Procedure Room Preparation
- Compassionate and Caring
- Medical Recordkeeping
- Procedure Assistance
- Accurate Documentation
- Clear Patient Communication
- Medication Administration
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Patient Condition Monitoring
- Patient Care Assessment
- Critical Thinking
- Medical Procedure Preparation
- Pain Management Oversight
- IV Fluid Administration
Certifications
- ACLS
- BLS
Timeline
Clinical Coordinator RN
St Peters Health Care
07.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse-PACU
Christus Surgery Center -Alamo Heights
05.2022 - 03.2023
Pre Operative/PACU Registered Nurse
Dr. Gary Lawton
02.2018 - 04.2021
Registered Nurse
HCA Methodist Metropolitan Hospital
05.2016 - 02.2018
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Centene Corp
05.2014 - 05.2016
Clinic LVN
On Assignment Healthcare Staffing
09.2013 - 03.2014
LVN Case Manager
Health Care Support Staffing
07.2011 - 03.2013
Home Health LVN
Encompass Home Health
07.2011 - 07.2012
Home Health LVN
Everlasting Home Health
08.2010 - 05.2011
Home Health LVN
Encompass Home Health
10.2007 - 08.2010
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions
Licensed Vocational Nursing - Nursing
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions