Linda Collazo
Park Forest
Summary
Compassionate Night Nurse with over 10 years of experience in patient care. Proficient in conducting assessments and developing care plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and enhancing patient satisfaction.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Night Nurse
Advantage Nursing Services Inc.
Oak Forest, IL
11.2015 - Current
- Administered medication and monitored patient vitals during night shifts.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop patient care plans.
- Educated patients and families on post-discharge care and resources.
- Documented patient progress in electronic health records accurately and timely.
- Conducted regular assessments to identify changes in patient conditions promptly.
- Prevented hospital-acquired infections by adhering to strict infection control protocols and maintaining a clean work environment.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to make informed decisions about patient care based on clinical experience and evidence-based practice guidelines.
- Ensured continuity of care by effectively communicating with day shift nurses regarding any changes or issues that arose during the night shift.
- Reduced medication errors through diligent administration and thorough documentation.
- Promoted patient safety by accurately documenting all relevant information in electronic medical records systems.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and attentive care during overnight shifts.
- Monitored vital signs regularly, identifying trends or abnormalities and notifying the healthcare team accordingly.
- Administered medications safely and accurately according to physician orders, reducing potential adverse reactions.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between shifts through clear communication with incoming nursing staff members about ongoing patient needs.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities, staying current on best practices for nighttime nursing care.
- Conducted regular rounds to assess patients'' needs, intervening as necessary to prevent complications or address pressing concerns.
- Built rapport with patients and family members to deliver exceptional care.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
Crisis Care Night Nurse
Grand Prairie Services
Tinley Park, IL
11.2015 - 07.2026
- Administered medications and monitored patient vital signs during night shifts.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop personalized care plans.
- Provided emotional support and education to patients and families regarding health management.
- Trained new nursing staff on protocols and best practices for patient care.
- Conducted regular assessments to evaluate patient progress and adjust care strategies accordingly.
- Implemented infection control measures, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
- Managed medical records and documentation accurately, maintaining confidentiality standards.
- Demonstrated strong time management skills by prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities as appropriate for efficient patient care overnight.
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes, and treatment implementations.
- Performed patient assessments and adjusted care plans accordingly.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
Substitute Teacher
Oak Forest School District
Oak Forest, IL
10.2020 - 12.2021
- Implemented lesson plans to ensure curriculum continuity and student engagement.
- Adapted teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles and classroom dynamics.
- Collaborated with educators to assess student progress and provide targeted support.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, fostering a positive learning environment.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Developed strong rapport with students through consistent encouragement and support, fostering a positive learning atmosphere conducive to academic growth.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Enhanced classroom management by implementing positive reinforcement strategies and maintaining clear expectations for behavior.
- Promoted a collaborative learning environment through group projects and peer-to-peer activities, fostering teamwork and communication skills.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and research-based teaching strategies for continuous improvement in practice.
- Fostered positive classroom environment, managing student behavior and promoting respect.
- Encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving skills through project-based learning activities.
- Maintained detailed records of student attendance, assignments, and progress for seamless transition back to regular teachers.
United States Soldier
US Army
Ft Sam Houston
11.1990 - 10.2015
- Administered emergency care and life support to patients in critical situations.
- Evaluated patient conditions and prioritized treatment based on severity of injuries.
- Collaborated with medical teams to ensure seamless patient transport and handoff.
- Maintained and operated essential medical equipment during emergency responses.
- Implemented process improvements that increased response efficiency during emergencies.
- Led incident debriefings, identifying lessons learned to enhance future emergency responses.
- Enhanced patient care by efficiently assessing and addressing medical emergencies in high-pressure situations.
- Improved patient outcomes by administering appropriate treatments based on thorough assessments of vital signs, physical conditions, and medical histories.
- Evaluated patient vital signs and status to determine care needs using pulse oximeters and electronic vital sign machines.
- Continuously improved skills through regular training sessions, workshops, conferences, and staying up-to-date on industry best practices.
- Maintained levelheadedness and efficiency in high-pressure situations, effectively prioritizing tasks to save lives and provide medical care.
- Ensured accurate documentation of patient information, assessment findings, interventions performed, and overall condition by completing detailed reports in compliance with legal requirements and industry standards.
- Maintained a safe environment for all involved parties by adhering to strict safety measures during emergency situations.
- Controlled wounds and injuries en-route to hospitals, prepping patients for advanced treatments or maintaining conditions pre-arrival.
- Enhanced equipment readiness by rigorously inspecting, maintaining, and restocking ambulance supplies and tools as needed.
- Ensured ongoing compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing EMS through adherence to policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Triaged patients in emergency situations based on life-threatening needs and delegated tasks to better provide treatment to maximum patients at once.
- Communicated with patients about pain, comfort, and needs during transportation and preliminary medical care.
- Conducted equipment and vehicle checks to maintain continuous and safe operation.
- Administered emergency medication to patients, quickly responding to changes in conditions and medication reactions.
- Maintained accurate patient records and documentation of treatments to enable tracking history and safeguard information.
- Demonstrated leadership abilities while serving as lead EMT during designated shifts or special events requiring additional responsibilities beyond primary duties.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by providing mentorship and support to new EMTs entering the field.
- Upheld high-quality service standards by consistently meeting or exceeding performance evaluation benchmarks set forth by management.
Education
Long Term Substitute Teaching Certification - Long Term Substitute Teaching
Teaching Development
Chicago Heights, IL09-2020
Associate of Science - Liberal Arts And Sciences
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL06-2000
No Degree - Social Sciences
Governors State University
University Park, IL01-2002
LPN - Nursing
AVTS
Kansas City, KS08-1996
Skills
- Vital signs monitoring
- Clinical judgment
- Compassionate care
- Ethical practice
- Duty delegation
- Patient safety
- Recording vital signs
- HIPAA compliance
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments
- Policy compliance
- Clinical training
- Healthcare technology
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Problem-solving abilities
Certification
Ventilator trained and certified
Cpr and CPI trained and Certified
Trained in computer charting Carelogic and HMC
- Certified [Job Title], [Company Name] - [Timeframe]
Timeline
Substitute Teacher
Oak Forest School District
10.2020 - 12.2021
Night Nurse
Advantage Nursing Services Inc.
11.2015 - Current
Crisis Care Night Nurse
Grand Prairie Services
11.2015 - 07.2026
United States Soldier
US Army
11.1990 - 10.2015
Long Term Substitute Teaching Certification - Long Term Substitute Teaching
Teaching Development
Associate of Science - Liberal Arts And Sciences
Prairie State College
No Degree - Social Sciences
Governors State University
LPN - Nursing
AVTS
Ventilor trained and certified
I was trained to read and monitor a patient who required a Ventilator for breathing.