Maria Hernandez
Laredo,TX
Summary
Hardworking Nurse Practitioner with 23 years of experience conducting physical examinations, ordering and interpreting lab testing and prescribing treatments or medications to address diverse conditions. Passionate about patient education and promoting sustainable wellness habits to mitigate pain and illness.
Highly qualified and board certified family and women Health Nurse practitioner driven to build strong relationships with patients and families. Acts as patient advocate to achieve best possible outcomes.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Family Nurse Practitioner
Mercy Ministries
08.2013 - Current
- Handled complex cases involving multiple comorbidities effectively by employing critical thinking skills and seeking expert consultations when necessary.
- Performed comprehensive physical assessments, accurately diagnosing conditions, and determining appropriate interventions.
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Performed patient physicals and compared and contrasted results with established medical records to provide proper diagnosis and facilitate appropriate treatment.
- Utilized evidence-based and holistic approaches to care in family practice settings.
- Educated patients on treatment options, medical needs, and non-medical options for treatments and therapy.
- Coordinated with physicians, specialists, and other medical staff to develop treatment plans for chronic conditions.
- Educated and guided patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits to prevent Type-2 diabetes and other complications.
- Coordinated referrals for specialty services and additional care.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to concerns.
- Attended continuing education seminars and workshops to stay current with best practices.
- Monitored patient progress and adjusted treatments accordingly.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students, fostering their clinical skills development in primary care settings.
- Prescribed appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
- Provided mental health support by assessing emotional well-being, offering counseling services, and referring patients to specialists when needed.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Doctor Oscar Benavides
12.2005 - Current
- Handled complex cases involving multiple comorbidities effectively by employing critical thinking skills and seeking expert consultations when necessary.
- Performed comprehensive physical assessments, accurately diagnosing conditions, and determining appropriate interventions.
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Performed patient physicals and compared and contrasted results with established medical records to provide proper diagnosis and facilitate appropriate treatment.
- Educated patients on treatment options, medical needs, and non-medical options for treatments and therapy.
- Provided preventive care such as well-child checks, adult physicals, and gynecological examinations.
- Educated and guided patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits to prevent Type-2 diabetes and other complications.
- Promoted health maintenance and disease prevention through patient education and counseling on lifestyle modifications.
- Administered immunizations and performed other preventive health measures.
- Assessed patient needs, clearly communicating diagnosis and treatment plans to patients and families.
- Prescribed medications or treatments based on patient medical assessments.
- Discussed care plans with patients and explained test results and proper use of medications.
- Contributed to staff professional growth by conducting training sessions on clinical best practices and new medical technologies.
- Utilized telehealth technology effectively, increasing convenience for patients while maintaining high-quality care standards.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based care and treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
- Prescribed appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students, fostering their clinical skills development in primary care settings.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to concerns.
- Coordinated referrals for specialty services and additional care.
Adjunct Professor
Texas A&M International University
01.2006 - 05.2009
- Taught diagnostic lab and wellness and health promotion courses, providing instruction to up to 25 undergraduate students.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations.
- Used exams, quizzes and assignments to assess student comprehension.
- Strengthened critical thinking skills in students through the incorporation of problem-based learning activities.
- Built relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional and academic goals while providing coaching on effective study habits.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Boosted class participation rates by fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment.
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Laredo Family Planning
12.2002 - 12.2005
- Performed annual exams examining patients for medical conditions involving age, menstruation, pregnancy, and sexual health.
- Educated women on perimenopause, explaining symptoms, bodily changes and physical limitations.
- Counseled women and gave referrals to specialists for women diagnosed or at risk for breast cancer.
- Warned women of risks of sexually transmitted diseases and educated on methods of prevention.
- Treated and prescribed medication to women dealing with yeast infections and urinary tract infections.
- Educated and recommended birth control options to patients and educated on associated health risks.
- Performed comprehensive physical examinations and documented patient histories to gather information and identify health issues.
- Discussed care plans with patients and explained test results and proper use of medications.
- Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Facilitated patient referrals to specialists and other healthcare providers.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Gateway Community Clinic
12.2000 - 12.2002
- Performed annual exams examining patients for medical conditions involving age, menstruation, pregnancy, and sexual health.
- Counseled women and gave referrals to specialists for women diagnosed or at risk for breast cancer.
- Educated women on perimenopause, explaining symptoms, bodily changes and physical limitations.
- Warned women of risks of sexually transmitted diseases and educated on methods of prevention.
- Treated and prescribed medication to women dealing with yeast infections and urinary tract infections.
- Educated and recommended birth control options to patients and educated on associated health risks.
- Administered prenatal and postnatal care for mothers to include vitamin regimens, postnatal pain management, breastfeeding coaching and hormone imbalances.
- Performed hormone level tests and treatments for women experiencing hormone imbalances or for women dealing with postpartum depression.
- Performed comprehensive physical examinations and documented patient histories to gather information and identify health issues.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient cases and treatment plans.
- Discussed care plans with patients and explained test results and proper use of medications.
- Prescribed and managed pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments to treat underlying causes and relieve symptoms.
- Implemented individualized patient care plans to address assessment findings.
- Coordinated with physicians, specialists, and other medical staff to develop treatment plans for chronic conditions.
- Performed patient physicals and compared and contrasted results with established medical records to provide proper diagnosis and facilitate appropriate treatment.
- Educated patients on treatment options, medical needs, and non-medical options for treatments and therapy.
- Prescribed appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
- Monitored patient condition and progress, ordering appropriate laboratory tests.
Clinc Director
Laredo Family Planning
12.1994 - 12.2000
- Facilitated regular staff meetings for effective communication, continuous learning, problem-solving, goal-setting, and progress monitoring.
- Assessed staffing needs, hired qualified personnel, and provided ongoing professional development opportunities for all team members.
- Championed ongoing professional development opportunities for staff, resulting in increased morale and retention rates.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary teams for seamless delivery of care across various specialties within the clinic setting.
- Promoted a supportive work environment by fostering teamwork and open communication among staff members.
- Collaborated with executive leadership on strategic planning efforts aimed at long-term growth and sustainability of the clinic facility.
- Streamlined clinic operations for increased efficiency through staff training and process improvements.
- Analyzed and reported patient data to identify areas of improvement and facilitate decision-making.
- Monitored duties assigned to personnel to promote high levels of patient care and job efficiency.
- Coordinated with healthcare professionals to verify proper implementation of patient treatment plans.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Valverde Hospital
12.1991 - 12.1994
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care, ensuring seamless communication between healthcare providers.
- Consistently maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Skillfully performed venipuncture, IV insertion, and catheterizations, ensuring proper technique and adherence to infection control standards.
- Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction with compassionate, personalized nursing care tailored to each individual''s needs.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens, and pain management techniques.
- Managed complex wound care, including dressing changes, monitoring for signs of infection, and collaborating with wound care specialists as needed.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families through active listening, empathy, and clear communication during challenging situations.
- Mentored new staff members and nursing students, fostering a supportive learning environment within the unit.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
Register Nurse
Baptist Memorial Hospital
05.1991 - 12.1991
- Performed accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in compliance with regulatory standards.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed routine wound care and dressing changes on schedule.
- Promoted a safe and comfortable healing environment by addressing patient concerns promptly and professionally.
- Assessed patients to determine individual needs and develop care plans in coordination with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Helped patients eat and drink when necessary for safe consumption of food consistent with recovery guidelines.
- Followed proper procedure for installation and removal of catheters, IVs, and PIC lines.
- Provided emotional support to patients'' family members during critical incidents, strengthening overall trust in the healthcare team.
- Created an efficient shift handover process which improved continuity of care between nursing shifts.
- Assisted patients in performance of routine recovery and mobility exercises, providing support when getting in and out of bed as well as walking and stretching.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX05.2002
Women's Health Nursing
University of Texas Southwestern Women's Health
Dallas, TX11.1996
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of The Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX05.1991
Skills
- Chronic Disease Management
- Patient Education
- Interprofessional Collaboration
- Preventive Healthcare
- Preparing treatment plans
- Diagnostic Testing
- Physical assessments
- Quality Improvement
- Behavioral Health
- Lab result evaluation
- Women's health
- Primary Care
Affiliations
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioner
- Texas Nurse Practitioners
Certification
Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner, September 01, 2019 to August 31, 2024.
Certified as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner by the National Certification Corporation, September 19, 1997 to September 15, 2024.
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Family Nurse Practitioner
Mercy Ministries
08.2013 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Texas A&M International University
01.2006 - 05.2009
Family Nurse Practitioner
Doctor Oscar Benavides
12.2005 - Current
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Laredo Family Planning
12.2002 - 12.2005
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Gateway Community Clinic
12.2000 - 12.2002
Clinc Director
Laredo Family Planning
12.1994 - 12.2000
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Valverde Hospital
12.1991 - 12.1994
Register Nurse
Baptist Memorial Hospital
05.1991 - 12.1991
Master of Science - Nursing
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Women's Health Nursing
University of Texas Southwestern Women's Health
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of The Incarnate Word
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