Maria Thomas
Rocky Point,NC
Summary
Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR, Epic, NextGen charting, Microsoft office, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Staff RN Cardiology
Novant Health Heart And Vascular Institute
07.2023 - Current
- Utilized critical thinking skills to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations, prioritizing patient needs and addressing emergent issues promptly.
- Monitored vital signs, lab results, and other indicators to detect changes in patients'' conditions promptly.
- Served as a preceptor for new nurses, sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices to improve their skills and confidence.
- Participated in unit-based quality improvement initiatives focused on enhancing patient outcomes through process improvements.
- Maintained clinical competency through ongoing professional development activities such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and certifications related to nursing practice.
- Advocated for the needs of patients within the healthcare system while maintaining confidentiality and respecting patients'' rights.
- Delegated tasks to nursing assistants and support staff effectively, ensuring safe and efficient care delivery.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
Staff Registered Nurse Cardiology
Wilmington Health Associates
01.2019 - 06.2023
- Effectively prioritized assignments.
- Worked within interdisciplinary health care team to develop, implement and make adjustments to patient care plans, individualizing strategies and methods to improve health and meet recovery goals.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care and discharge instructions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Identified patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with patients and families.
- Gathered patient health data through interviews and observation, documenting data in electronic record.
- Assisted in diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as unstable angina, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and cardiac dysrhythmia.
- Contributed to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare as key member of cardiac nursing team.
- Applied laws, policies and evidence-based practices in patient care, minimizing errors and complaints.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety and rights of patient.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Conducted initial assessments, documented findings in patient records and notified physicians of abnormal findings.
Registered Nurse
Wilmington Surgical Associates
02.2018 - 12.2018
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
Vascular Access Out-Patient Procedures RN
Wilmington Health
05.2014 - 01.2017
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and other conditions.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
- Led successful team comprised of RNs, LPNs and ancillary staff.
- Kept optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage and other areas to meet typical patient loads.
- Provided compassionate and caring nursing services while implementing plan of care for each patient and collaborated with healthcare providers to document outcomes.
- Applied critical thinking skills.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety and rights of patient.
- Accurately documented treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
Clinical Nurse Manager
Wilmington Health Associates
10.2013 - 05.2014
- Oversaw admissions and discharges and scheduling of nursing staff.
- Educated patients and families on treatment, expected outcomes and discharge instructions, serving as advisory resource to patients and families to facilitate recovery.
- Sought opportunities to improve patient care, outcomes and nursing staff performance.
- Evaluated nursing staff's performance and developed education programs and professional development opportunities to improve individual and team competencies, clinical knowledge and delivery of care.
- Collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to devise and manage individualized plans of care.
- Oversaw training, staffing and education of all nurses and clinical staff.
- Reviewed charts weekly to complete quality control checks.
- Supervised professional and paraprofessional nursing staff and delegated tasks to maintain continuum of care.
- Administered performance evaluations and probationary reviews to assess nursing personnel.
- Motivated nursing staff to pursue advanced training and collaborated with unit leaders to identify skill needs.
- Coordinated departmental operations according to administrative, legal and medical guidelines.
- Documented all aspects of care following facility and Medicare standards, creating accurate patient records of all interactions and interventions to sustain continuity of care.
- Counseled families to improve communication.
- Supported patient self-advocacy within family relationships and during treatment plans.
Vascular Access Out-Patient Procedure RN
Wilmington Health
08.2004 - 10.2013
- Provided compassionate and caring nursing services while implementing plan of care for each patient and collaborated with healthcare providers to document outcomes.
- Applied critical thinking skills.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Accurately documented treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety and rights of patient.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Administered different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development.
- Strengthened training and nursing knowledge by taking part in continuing education programs.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University School of Nursing
Addison, IL08.2015
Associate of Science - Nursing
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC05.2003
Diploma - LPN
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC08.2001
Diploma - Medical Administrative Medical Assistant
Miller Motte Business College
Wilmington, NC05.1994
Skills
- Patient Data Management Systems
- Nursing Consultation
- Medical Recordkeeping
- Project Implementation
- Accurate Documentation
- Compassionate and Caring
- Electronic Charting (Epic, EMR, NexGen)
- Patient Health Information Access
- Clear Patient Communication
- Microsoft office, Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Telephonic/Telehealth experience
- Patient Care Assessment
- Evidence Collection
- Delegation and Motivation
- Maintaining Patient Safety Standards
Affiliations
Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing
Certification
ACLS
BLS
Timeline
Staff RN Cardiology
Novant Health Heart And Vascular Institute
07.2023 - Current
Staff Registered Nurse Cardiology
Wilmington Health Associates
01.2019 - 06.2023
Registered Nurse
Wilmington Surgical Associates
02.2018 - 12.2018
Vascular Access Out-Patient Procedures RN
Wilmington Health
05.2014 - 01.2017
Clinical Nurse Manager
Wilmington Health Associates
10.2013 - 05.2014
Vascular Access Out-Patient Procedure RN
Wilmington Health
08.2004 - 10.2013
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University School of Nursing
Associate of Science - Nursing
Cape Fear Community College
Diploma - LPN
Cape Fear Community College
Diploma - Medical Administrative Medical Assistant
Miller Motte Business College
ACLS
BLS
Similar Profiles
Christa EureChrista Eure
Nuclear Medicine Technologist at Novant Health Heart And Vascular InstituteNuclear Medicine Technologist at Novant Health Heart And Vascular Institute
Kerie MartinKerie Martin
Registered Nurse at Novant Health Heart and Vascular InstituteRegistered Nurse at Novant Health Heart and Vascular Institute
Stephanie ChristopherStephanie Christopher
CMA II at Novant Health Heart And Vascular InstituteCMA II at Novant Health Heart And Vascular Institute