Lorna Espinal
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Gentle Nurse Navigator with a commitment to personal care for short- and long-term patients. Compassionate, hardworking and dedicated patient advocate with extensive knowledge of local community needs and barriers to healthcare. Looking to transition to a position in a large hospital.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Bilingual Nurse Navigator
Levine Cancer Institute
04.2017 - Current
- Provided information about health system navigation, patient rights and health information privacy.
- Built partnerships with local agencies and groups to assist with patient care, support or educational needs.
- Coordinated appropriate and efficient delivery of healthcare services to promote optimal outcomes by assessing and matching unmet needs with referrals and support services.
- Synchronized care with multidisciplinary team to promote timely follow-up of treatment and supportive care recommendations.
- Facilitated timely scheduling of appointments, diagnostic testing and procedures to advocate for patients, expedite plan of care and promote continuity.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Atrium Healthcare, Previously Carolinas Healthcare System
10.2015 - 04.2017
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Effectively communicated with physicians regarding patient needs, performance, medications and changes.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Responded promptly and professionally to patient questions and concerns.
- Participated in patient and family planning process, as well as provided instructions and addressed question and concerns.
- Performed evaluations on consistent basis to address changes in patient needs, conditions and medications, altering care plans when required.
- Liaised with physicians regarding patient needs, performance and changes.
- Coordinated with interdisciplinary professionals to develop plans of care, administer tests and monitor patient status.
- Completed initial assessments of patients and family to determine and address individual home care needs. ·
- Conducted regular re-evaluations to address changes in needs and conditions, introducing revisions to care plans.
- Coordinated rehabilitative and preventive nursing processes and procedures.
- Negotiated with suppliers and vendors to procure medical equipment, supplies and services.
Registered Nurse Intermediate Care Unit
Novant Presbyterian Medical Center
10.2013 - 10.2015
- Assessed and coordinated patient discharge planning needs with multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- Conducted continuous cardiac monitoring on patients stepping down from ICU care.
- Completed daily assessments and documented information in electronic medical records.
- Implemented physician orders and tracked progress against care plan to assess results.
- Helped team manage patient flow by promoting timely placements for admissions, discharges and transfers.
- Helped physicians complete bedside procedures to address patient concerns.
- Administered intramuscular, oral, and intravenous medications to treat patients' conditions and symptoms.
- Delivered well-rounded care by incorporating behavior modeling and culturally specific approaches.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Used EPIC to document patient care in electronic medical charts.
- Documented fluid intake and output of patients to identify emerging issues such as electrolyte imbalances.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Novant Presbyterian Medical Center
04.2011 - 10.2013
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Monitored patient vital signs to perform thorough condition assessments.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens, and pain management techniques.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Managed patients' pain by implementing pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management interventions.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Performed intravenous therapy procedures and monitored chest tubes.
- Monitored hemodynamic variances to identify signs of life-threatening complications.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
Nurse Assistant
Novant Presbyterian Medical Center
11.2008 - 04.2011
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
- Helped patients effectively manage routine bathing, grooming, and other hygiene needs.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Reported unusual or urgent circumstances in patients' condition or environment immediately to nurse supervisor.
- Maximized patient satisfaction by helping individuals carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking.
- Wiped down equipment with proper cleaning products after each patient transport to reduce instances of infection.
- Agreed to take on additional shifts and extra hours during busy periods and holidays to maintain proper staffing and floor coverage.
- Utilized nursing knowledge to identify patient needs and offer appropriate remedies.
- Utilized therapeutic communication, empathy and active listening skills to encourage and develop positive relationships with patients.
- Supported ambulation and physical therapy needs by conducting planned exercise routines.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC05.2018
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC05.2014
Associate of Science - Nursing
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC12.2010
High School Diploma -
Chesterfield High School
Chesterfield, SC05.2002
Skills
- Proficient/fluent in Spanish
- Manage Cases
- Medication Side Effect Knowledge
- Microsoft Office
- Care Coordination
- Patient Care Assessment
- Patient Education
- Patient Documentation
- Oncology Certified Nurse
Accomplishments
- submitted a blog to the Journal of Oncology Navigation Survivorship (JONS) in July 2023. "Vaccine Hesitancy among Hispanic cancer patients in the United states.
- Daisy Award recipient October-2019
- Presented an abstract and a poster at the Oncology Nursing Society conference (ONS) in April 12, 2019 - Anaheim, CA. "A bilingual nurse navigator can improve care coordination for Latinos with cancer."
- Created a video for Atrium Health-Levine Cancer Institute in Spanish to address pertinent information to help reduce the spread of COVID19 cases among minority/vulnerable population.
- I partnership with Carolinas Breast Friends (CBFs) to create a support group to empower/support Latina's women who are affected by breast cancer.
Certification
- Oncology certified nurse (OCN)
- Certified Medical interpreter
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Bilingual Nurse Navigator
Levine Cancer Institute
04.2017 - Current
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Atrium Healthcare, Previously Carolinas Healthcare System
10.2015 - 04.2017
Registered Nurse Intermediate Care Unit
Novant Presbyterian Medical Center
10.2013 - 10.2015
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Novant Presbyterian Medical Center
04.2011 - 10.2013
Nurse Assistant
Novant Presbyterian Medical Center
11.2008 - 04.2011
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
Queens University of Charlotte
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Queens University of Charlotte
Associate of Science - Nursing
Queens University of Charlotte
High School Diploma -
Chesterfield High School
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