Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Lilian Lemus Cardenas

Chester,VA

Summary

Passionate and dedicated nursing student in an LPN-to-RN bridge program at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, graduating in December 2025. Currently employed as a Patient Care Technician with float experience in ICU, ED, Stepdown, and Med-Surg units. Strong foundation in patient-centered care, and high-acuity patient support. Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Overview

2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Nurse Extern

VCU Health
Richmond, Virginia
05.2025 - 08.2025
  • Completed a summer nurse externship through the Oncology division, with Palliative Care as my home unit, supporting patients with advanced illness and those receiving end-of-life care.
  • Gained experience providing comfort focused, hands on care including assistance with mobility, hygiene, feeding, toileting, and repositioning, while being mindful of patients' dignity and preferences.
  • Learned to care for immunocompromised patients and those receiving chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant-related care.
  • Became more comfortable supporting families during difficult transitions and learned to communicate with empathy, patience, and respect during sensitive conversations.
  • Observed how nurses managed symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, anxiety, and agitation, and helped implement non-pharmacologic comfort measures to improve patient quality of life.
  • Participated in interdisciplinary rounds and collaborated with nurses to support patients' physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
  • Regularly documented patient care activities in EPIC.
  • This experience helped me grow in my ability to be present, calm, and compassionate in challenging situations, while developing a deeper understanding of supportive care.

Patient Care Technician

Bon Secours
Mechanicsville, VA
09.2023 - Current
  • Float to ICU, ED, Med-Surg, and Stepdown units to support care for critically ill patients.
  • Aid patients with ADLs including bathing, feeding, ambulation, and mobility assistance.
  • Routinely obtain and document vital signs, blood glucose levels, and fluid intake/output, and promptly notified the nurse of any critical changes in the patient’s condition.
  • Perform 12-lead EKGs, cardiac monitor setup, bladder scans, and suction setup.
  • Monitored and communicated patient status and observations to nursing staff to support treatment, planning, and effective care delivery.
  • Provide compassionate care while preserving patient privacy and dignity in accordance with HIPAA.

Clinical Experience - Medical-Surgical Unit

VCU Medical Center
09.2024 - 12.2024
  • Provided direct patient care including assessments, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs).
  • Administered medications under RN supervision.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams including physical therapy, nutrition, and case management.
  • Focused on building foundational nursing skills in an acute care environment.

Clinical Experience - Acute Care Surgery Unit

VCU Medical Center
01.2025 - 02.2025
  • Delivered care to patients recovering from surgical interventions.
  • Gained experience in assessing surgical sites, monitoring for complications, managing surgical drains, and assisting with early ambulation.

Clinical Experience - Psychiatric Unit

Chippenham Hospital - Tucker Pavilion
02.2025 - 03.2025
  • Cared for patients experiencing psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, mania, and mood disorders.
  • Developed skills in therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and creating a safe, and supportive environment.

Clinical Experience - Labor and Delivery / Mother-Infant

VCU Medical Center
03.2025 - 04.2025
  • Assisted in laboring patient care, observed vaginal delivery, and supported postpartum assessments.
  • Monitored for complications such as postpartum hemorrhage and performed fundal and lochia assessments.
  • Provided newborn care including newborn assessments, bathing, and safe feeding techniques.

Clinical Experience - Acute Care Pediatrics

Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
04.2025 - 05.2025
  • Delivered age-appropriate care to pediatric patients across developmental stages.
  • Administered medications and performed safety checks under supervision of RN and clinical instructor.
  • Provided support in feeding, ambulation, hygiene, and observation for early signs of deterioration.
  • Engaged with caregivers to ensure family-centered care and emotional support during hospitalization.

Education

Associate of Applied Science - Nursing

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA
12.2025

Certificate in Practical Nursing -

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA
12.2023

Skills

  • Vital Signs Monitoring
  • Telemetry Setup & EKG (12-lead)
  • Bladder Scans
  • Suction Setup
  • Fluid I&O Documentation
  • EMR Documentation (Epic)
  • HIPAA Compliance

Certification

Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, Active

Timeline

Nurse Extern

VCU Health
05.2025 - 08.2025

Clinical Experience - Acute Care Pediatrics

Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
04.2025 - 05.2025

Clinical Experience - Labor and Delivery / Mother-Infant

VCU Medical Center
03.2025 - 04.2025

Clinical Experience - Psychiatric Unit

Chippenham Hospital - Tucker Pavilion
02.2025 - 03.2025

Clinical Experience - Acute Care Surgery Unit

VCU Medical Center
01.2025 - 02.2025

Clinical Experience - Medical-Surgical Unit

VCU Medical Center
09.2024 - 12.2024

Patient Care Technician

Bon Secours
09.2023 - Current

Associate of Applied Science - Nursing

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Certificate in Practical Nursing -

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

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