MARIA COONS
CONCORD,NC
Summary
Organized and knowledgeable Registered Nurse experienced in treating and caring for patients. Successful in providing fast and accurate assessments and working calmly under pressure. Recognized for collaborating well with doctors to maintain top-notch healthcare practices.
Driven Registered Nurse with 15 + years of experience caring for patients within PCCU, CVIMC, and Med-Surg setting. Smoothly deliver comprehensive patient care and delegate tasks according to patient needs and personnel skillsets. Dedicated to providing top quality care within multidisciplinary team environment.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Department of Veterans Affairs
Salisbury, NC
07.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
- Administered medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions through ongoing assessment of patient responses.
- Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values and beliefs.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
- Provided patient care and education to patients with chronic illnesses.
- Documented patient progress notes accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record system.
SYSTEM WIDE REGISTERED NURSE (FLOAT)
CONE HEALTH
Greensboro, North Carolina
07.2022 - Current
- Function as a system wide float RN working in a fast-paced environment in PCCU (Progressive Coronary Care Unit) and Medical-Surgical Unit, and COVID unit of Cone Health System's Four Hospitals
- Performed ongoing patient assessments, notifying supervising clinician of abnormal findings
- Assessed patient individual health care needs, implement nursing interventions, and evaluated patient outcomes
- Administered medications as ordered by the Physician, monitor IVs, administer treatments, performed dressing changes, and provided education to patient and family
- Flexible to changing priorities and workload, able to multitask and function as a team player in a fast-paced environment
- Provided care to patients with COVID and other respiratory conditions that required the use of oxygen, High Flow, Optiflow, BI-PAP, and CPAP
- Tracheostomy care given to trach patients including suctioning and changing trach lines/dressings
- Treated and closely monitored patients with acute and chronic conditions such as Afib with RVR, NSTEMI, Sepsis, CHF, COPD, Hypertensive crisis, CVA, DKA, DM, GI bleed, Hemodialysis, and alcohol/drug withdrawals
- Skilled with NG tube, Dobhoff/Cortrack, PEG tubes, PIV insertion, and Central line care including but not limited to PICC removal, dressing changes, and blood draw
- Strong assessment, critical thinking skills, and communication skills, and collaboration skills to determine proper patient Plan of care
- Functions as a Staff RN by taking care of six high acuity cardiac, stroke, and COVID patients
- Cared for patients with acute and chronic medical conditions such as Stroke, A-fib, CHF, COPD, DM, post-MI, Gi bleed, and other co-morbidities
- Prepared patients for procedures such as Cardiac Catheterization, PPM placement, chest tube insertion, Thoracentesis, and Paracentesis
- Treated and closely monitored patients post cardiac catheterization (femoral and radial approach) with or without intervention
- Functions as a Relief Charge Nurse
- Functions as Nurse Preceptor for newly hired nurses
- Skilled in taking care of COVID patients with various respiratory interventions such as BI-PAP and CPAP
- Assigned to Progressive Care Unit with COVID and Medical-Surgical patients with various acute and chronic heart and lung conditions
- Treated and closely monitored patients post cardiac catheterization, PPM, chest tube placements, cardiac ablation, cardioversion, and post CVA treatment
- Treated and closely monitored DKA patients with insulin drips.
REGISTERED NURSE TRAVELER
AYA HEALTHCARE (HIGHT POINT WAKE FOREST)
High Point, North Carolina
12.2021 - 07.2022
- Function as a system wide float RN working in a fast-paced environment in PCCU (Progressive Coronary Care Unit) and Medical-Surgical Unit, and COVID unit of Cone Health System's Four Hospitals
- Performed ongoing patient assessments, notifying supervising clinician of abnormal findings
- Assessed patient individual health care needs, implement nursing interventions, and evaluated patient outcomes
- Administered medications as ordered by the Physician, monitor IVs, administer treatments, performed dressing changes, and provided education to patient and family
- Flexible to changing priorities and workload, able to multitask and function as a team player in a fast-paced environment
- Provided care to patients with COVID and other respiratory conditions that required the use of oxygen, High Flow, Optiflow, BI-PAP, and CPAP
- Tracheostomy care given to trach patients including suctioning and changing trach lines/dressings
- Treated and closely monitored patients with acute and chronic conditions such as Afib with RVR, NSTEMI, Sepsis, CHF, COPD, Hypertensive crisis, CVA, DKA, DM, GI bleed, Hemodialysis, and alcohol/drug withdrawals
- Skilled with NG tube, Dobhoff/Cortrack, PEG tubes, PIV insertion, and Central line care including but not limited to PICC removal, dressing changes, and blood draw
- Strong assessment, critical thinking skills, and communication skills, and collaboration skills to determine proper patient Plan of care
- Functions as a Staff RN by taking care of six high acuity cardiac, stroke, and COVID patients
- Cared for patients with acute and chronic medical conditions such as Stroke, A-fib, CHF, COPD, DM, post-MI, Gi bleed, and other co-morbidities
- Prepared patients for procedures such as Cardiac Catheterization, PPM placement, chest tube insertion, Thoracentesis, and Paracentesis
- Treated and closely monitored patients post cardiac catheterization (femoral and radial approach) with or without intervention
- Functions as a Relief Charge Nurse
- Functions as Nurse Preceptor for newly hired nurses
- Skilled in taking care of COVID patients with various respiratory interventions such as BI-PAP and CPAP
- Assigned to Progressive Care Unit with COVID and Medical-Surgical patients with various acute and chronic heart and lung conditions
- Treated and closely monitored patients post cardiac catheterization, PPM, chest tube placements, cardiac ablation, cardioversion, and post CVA treatment
- Treated and closely monitored DKA patients with insulin drips.
REGISTERED NURSE/CHARGE NURSE
NOVANT HEALTH (ROWAN)
Salisbury, North Carolina
12.2018 - 02.2022
- Function as a Relief Charge RN by supervising three RN's, one Care Partner, and three monitor technicians in a 15 bed Cardiovascular Unit (CVIMC)
- Assisted Cardiothoracic physicians with bedside procedures including but not limited to chest tube insertion/removal, thoracentesis, and pacer wire removal
- Function as Nurse Preceptor for newly hired nurses
- Function as Nurse Resource
- Assisted with the Code Blue Team
- Prepared patients for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), Cardiac Catheterization, PPM placement, Thoracic and Abdominal Aneurysm Repair, and Peripheral Vascular Surgeries
- Cared for patients post Cardiac and Vascular Surgeries including but not limited to CABG (post ACCU), and Vascular Stenting
- Treated and closely monitored four to five patients with acute/chronic Cardiovascular issues such as A-fib, CHF, AMI, NSTEMI
- Closely monitored patients on Cardiac Medication drip such as AMiodarone, Cardizem, and Nitroglycerin
- Treated and closely monitored five cardiac and vascular patients pre and post cardiovascular procedures
- Administer cardiac medications orally, via gastric tubes, IV, IM, transdermal, and topical
- Closely monitor patients receiving blood products, cardiac medication IV drip such as Cardizem, Amiodarone, and Nitro drip for any adverse reactions
- Assisted Cardiothoracic physicians and residents with bedside procedures including but not limited to chest tube insertions/removal, central line placements, thoracentesis, paracentesis, and pacer wire removal
- Prepared patients for cardiac and vascular procedures such as Cardiac catheterization, CABG, vascular stenting, aneurysm repairs
- Provided education for patients and families regarding disease process, medications side effects, diagnostic procedures, and Plan of Care.
REGISTERED NURSE TRAVELER
AYA HEALTHCARE (MOSES CONE HOSPITAL)
Concord, North Carolina
09.2021 - 12.2021
- Function as a system wide float RN working in a fast-paced environment in PCCU (Progressive Coronary Care Unit) and Medical-Surgical Unit, and COVID unit of Cone Health System's Four Hospitals
- Performed ongoing patient assessments, notifying supervising clinician of abnormal findings
- Assessed patient individual health care needs, implement nursing interventions, and evaluated patient outcomes
- Administered medications as ordered by the Physician, monitor IVs, administer treatments, performed dressing changes, and provided education to patient and family
- Flexible to changing priorities and workload, able to multitask and function as a team player in a fast-paced environment
- Provided care to patients with COVID and other respiratory conditions that required the use of oxygen, High Flow, Optiflow, BI-PAP, and CPAP
- Tracheostomy care given to trach patients including suctioning and changing trach lines/dressings
- Treated and closely monitored patients with acute and chronic conditions such as Afib with RVR, NSTEMI, Sepsis, CHF, COPD, Hypertensive crisis, CVA, DKA, DM, GI bleed, Hemodialysis, and alcohol/drug withdrawals
- Skilled with NG tube, Dobhoff/Cortrack, PEG tubes, PIV insertion, and Central line care including but not limited to PICC removal, dressing changes, and blood draw
- Strong assessment, critical thinking skills, and communication skills, and collaboration skills to determine proper patient Plan of care
- Functions as a Staff RN by taking care of six high acuity cardiac, stroke, and COVID patients
- Cared for patients with acute and chronic medical conditions such as Stroke, A-fib, CHF, COPD, DM, post-MI, Gi bleed, and other co-morbidities
- Prepared patients for procedures such as Cardiac Catheterization, PPM placement, chest tube insertion, Thoracentesis, and Paracentesis
- Treated and closely monitored patients post cardiac catheterization (femoral and radial approach) with or without intervention
- Functions as a Relief Charge Nurse
- Functions as Nurse Preceptor for newly hired nurses
- Skilled in taking care of COVID patients with various respiratory interventions such as BI-PAP and CPAP
- Assigned to Progressive Care Unit with COVID and Medical-Surgical patients with various acute and chronic heart and lung conditions
- Treated and closely monitored patients post cardiac catheterization, PPM, chest tube placements, cardiac ablation, cardioversion, and post CVA treatment
- Treated and closely monitored DKA patients with insulin drips.
REGISTERED NURSE/CHARGE NURSE
CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER (NORTHEAST)
Concord, North Carolina
02.2007 - 12.2018
- Function as a Relief Charge RN by supervising three RN's, one Care Partner, and three monitor technicians in a 15 bed Cardiovascular Unit (CVIMC)
- Assisted Cardiothoracic physicians with bedside procedures including but not limited to chest tube insertion/removal, thoracentesis, and pacer wire removal
- Function as Nurse Preceptor for newly hired nurses
- Function as Nurse Resource
- Assisted with the Code Blue Team
- Prepared patients for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), Cardiac Catheterization, PPM placement, Thoracic and Abdominal Aneurysm Repair, and Peripheral Vascular Surgeries
- Cared for patients post Cardiac and Vascular Surgeries including but not limited to CABG (post ACCU), and Vascular Stenting
- Treated and closely monitored four to five patients with acute/chronic Cardiovascular issues such as A-fib, CHF, AMI, NSTEMI
- Closely monitored patients on Cardiac Medication drip such as AMiodarone, Cardizem, and Nitroglycerin
- Treated and closely monitored five cardiac and vascular patients pre and post cardiovascular procedures
- Administer cardiac medications orally, via gastric tubes, IV, IM, transdermal, and topical
- Closely monitor patients receiving blood products, cardiac medication IV drip such as Cardizem, Amiodarone, and Nitro drip for any adverse reactions
- Assisted Cardiothoracic physicians and residents with bedside procedures including but not limited to chest tube insertions/removal, central line placements, thoracentesis, paracentesis, and pacer wire removal
- Prepared patients for cardiac and vascular procedures such as Cardiac catheterization, CABG, vascular stenting, aneurysm repairs
- Provided education for patients and families regarding disease process, medications side effects, diagnostic procedures, and Plan of Care.
REGISTERED NURSE
CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER (MAIN)
Charlotte, North Carolina
10.2005 - 02.2007
- Function as a Relief Charge RN by supervising three RN's, one Care Partner, and three monitor technicians in a 15 bed Cardiovascular Unit (CVIMC)
- Assisted Cardiothoracic physicians with bedside procedures including but not limited to chest tube insertion/removal, thoracentesis, and pacer wire removal
- Function as Nurse Preceptor for newly hired nurses
- Function as Nurse Resource
- Assisted with the Code Blue Team
- Prepared patients for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), Cardiac Catheterization, PPM placement, Thoracic and Abdominal Aneurysm Repair, and Peripheral Vascular Surgeries
- Cared for patients post Cardiac and Vascular Surgeries including but not limited to CABG (post ACCU), and Vascular Stenting
- Treated and closely monitored four to five patients with acute/chronic Cardiovascular issues such as A-fib, CHF, AMI, NSTEMI
- Closely monitored patients on Cardiac Medication drip such as AMiodarone, Cardizem, and Nitroglycerin
- Treated and closely monitored five cardiac and vascular patients pre and post cardiovascular procedures
- Administer cardiac medications orally, via gastric tubes, IV, IM, transdermal, and topical
- Closely monitor patients receiving blood products, cardiac medication IV drip such as Cardizem, Amiodarone, and Nitro drip for any adverse reactions
- Assisted Cardiothoracic physicians and residents with bedside procedures including but not limited to chest tube insertions/removal, central line placements, thoracentesis, paracentesis, and pacer wire removal
- Prepared patients for cardiac and vascular procedures such as Cardiac catheterization, CABG, vascular stenting, aneurysm repairs
- Provided education for patients and families regarding disease process, medications side effects, diagnostic procedures, and Plan of Care.
Education
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING -
WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
01.2012
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING -
COLLEGE OF THE SEQUOIAS
01.2003
Skills
- Team-work oriented with adaptability and flexibility
- Bilingual(English-Filipino)
- Strong Assessment skills and Critical Thinking Skills
- Daisy Award Nominee
- EPIC and CERNER Proficient
- Effective communication skills
- Leadership, Charge RN role, Preceptor
- Involved in Practice Council to improve Best Practices for patients
- Dedicated and passionate Registered Nurse with exceptional clinical and patient care skills
- Tracheostomy Care
- Patient Assessments
- Direct Patient Care
- Gastrostomy Tube Care
- Patient Monitoring
- COVID patient care
- Created some educational posterboards for staff education
- Excellent teaching skills for patient and family
- IV drips and monitoring
- Peripheral IV insertion and removal
- Central Lines (PICC, IJ, Femoral) dressing changes and removal
- Chest tube : Management, assist with insertion and removal
- Thoracentesis and Paracentesis: set up and assist at bedside
- Pleuryx Catheter: Management and Drainage
- EKG: obtain and rhythm interpretation
- Nasogastric Tube: Placement and removal
- Foley Catheter: insertion and removal
- CPAP, BIPAP, Optiflow, Venti mask
- Arterial Sheath removal and post sheath removal management
- Trans-Radial band management and removal
- Wound Care and Dressing changes
- Medication and IV Administration
Certification
- Registered Nurse North Carolina Board of Nursing
- CPR/BLS (Basic Life Support) American Heart Association
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) American Heart Association
- NIHSS (The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale)
- CVRN-BC (Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification)
Awards
- Daisy Award Nominee
- Values in Action
Volunteer Experience
ROWAN COMMUNITY CARE CLINIC, Salisbury, NC, 01/2019, 01/2022
References
- Choua Cauble, VA Medical Center, (980) 255-9506, jcauble1@ctc.net
- Kathy Bruse, AYA Healthcare, (518) 774-8559, ksbruse@frontier.com
- Heather Esposito, Atrium Health, hesposito@atriumhealth.org
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Department of Veterans Affairs
07.2023 - Current
SYSTEM WIDE REGISTERED NURSE (FLOAT)
CONE HEALTH
07.2022 - Current
REGISTERED NURSE TRAVELER
AYA HEALTHCARE (HIGHT POINT WAKE FOREST)
12.2021 - 07.2022
REGISTERED NURSE TRAVELER
AYA HEALTHCARE (MOSES CONE HOSPITAL)
09.2021 - 12.2021
REGISTERED NURSE/CHARGE NURSE
NOVANT HEALTH (ROWAN)
12.2018 - 02.2022
REGISTERED NURSE/CHARGE NURSE
CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER (NORTHEAST)
02.2007 - 12.2018
REGISTERED NURSE
CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER (MAIN)
10.2005 - 02.2007
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING -
WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING -
COLLEGE OF THE SEQUOIAS