Marie-Elena Festo
Matawan,NJ
Summary
Empathetic and clinically skilled Registered Nurse with strong experience managing acute behavioral health patients in fast-paced inpatient settings. Skilled in medication administration, crisis intervention, and care coordination across multidisciplinary teams. Committed to creating a safe, supportive environment that enhances patient outcomes, encourages recovery, and upholds the highest standards of compassionate, evidence-based care.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center
Perth Amboy, NJ
03.2024 - Current
- Provide comprehensive nursing care to adult and geriatric patients in an inpatient psychiatric unit, ensuring safety and stabilization during acute mental health crises.
- Administer oral and intramuscular medications, monitor for side effects, and document patient responses in accordance with provider orders and hospital policy.
- Conduct focused mental status assessments, observe behavioral changes, and promptly report critical findings to the interdisciplinary treatment team.
- Collaborate with psychiatrists, social workers, and behavioral health technicians to develop individualized care plans and facilitate patient-centered treatment goals.
- Conduct group sessions focused on coping strategies, emotional regulation, and psychoeducation to support patient engagement and recovery.
- Participate in daily treatment team meetings with patients, psychiatrists, and social workers to discuss progress and modify care plans as needed.
- Prepare patients for ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) treatments and conduct post-procedure aftercare, ensuring safety, comfort, and documentation compliance.
- Utilize crisis prevention and intervention (CPI) techniques to verbally de-escalate patients and maintain a therapeutic environment.
- Perform safety checks and environmental rounds, including patient belonging searches, in compliance with facility protocols.
- Educate patients on medication adherence, coping strategies, and relapse prevention to promote long-term wellness and reduce readmission rates.
Registered Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health
Toms River, NJ
07.2023 - 02.2024
- Provided comprehensive care to patients suffering from mental illness.
- Monitored patient progress and adjusted treatments as needed.
- Handled vital sign monitoring, medication administration and patient behavior assessments.
- Administered oral and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Intervened and stabilized patients during emergencies with immediate first aid, CPR or advanced life support care.
- Conduct thorough search of patient and patient belongings.
- Exercised the use of restraints during crisis episodes.
- Conducted q15 rounds on each patient.
- Verbally deescalate patients.
- Conducted treatment team meetings with the patient, psychiatrist, and social worker.
- Adhere to psychiatric unit rules and regulations.
Behavioral Health LTSS Case Manager
Healthfirst
New York, NY
06.2022 - 03.2023
- Conducted monthly assessments for each member in assigned caseload.
- Developed member care plans, overall patient health assessments, and evaluations.
- Planned and coordinated discharge from care facility to member's home.
- Determined and coordinated appropriate level of care to meet individual member needs.
- Collaborated with physicians on patient medications, medical needs and performance.
- Coordinated with vendors and suppliers.
- Conducted TOC assessments.
- Conducted PCSP assessments based on most recent UAS.
- Educated members on annual or bi-annual preventative screenings/vaccines.
- Carried out patient's requests for medical supplies or equipment.
- Worked closely with Utilization Management to coordinate member care.
Registered Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Richmond University Medical Center
Staten Island, NY
01.2020 - 06.2022
- Administered oral and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Tracked client movement on and off unit by documenting times and destinations of clients.
- Documented all medications administered to mental health patients, following instructions from physicians and healthcare providers.
- Monitored patients prescribed psychotropic medications to assess medications' effectiveness and side effects.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
Medical Surgical Telemetry Nurse
Richmond University Medical Center
Staten Island, NY
05.2021 - 08.2021
- Calculated and administered IV, oral, and subcutaneous medications, monitoring for adverse side effects.
- Supervised patient blood pressure, heart activity, blood oxygen saturation, and breathing activity.
- Identified irregular telemetry readings and initiated corrective action plans.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support, and life-saving interventions.
- Deployed therapeutic communication and active listening and teaching to establish relationships with patients, families, and health care team for optimum patient care.
- Cared expertly for individuals with wide array of medical issues such as pulmonary, cardiology, and infectious disease patients.
- Recorded actions or behaviors of clinical significance in EMR system charts and kept physicians informed.
- Conducted blood transfusions following strict protocols.
- Maintained aseptic environment to prevent patient infections or other unwanted outcomes.
Registered Nurse Care Manager
Centers Plan For Healthy Living
Staten Island, NY
09.2019 - 01.2020
- Conducted monthly assessments for each member in assigned caseload.
- Developed member care plans, overall patient health assessments, and evaluations.
- Planned and coordinated discharge from care facility to member's home.
- Determined and coordinated appropriate level of care to meet individual member needs.
- Collaborated with physicians on patient medications, medical needs and performance.
- Coordinated with vendors and suppliers.
- Conducted TOC assessments.
- Conducted PCSP assessments based on most recent UAS.
- Educated members on annual or bi-annual preventative screenings/vaccines.
- Carried out patient's requests for medical supplies or equipment.
- Worked closely with Utilization Management to coordinate member care.
- Coordinated patient care plans to ensure comprehensive management of chronic conditions.
Education
Bachelor Of Science - Nursing
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN12.2021
Associate Of Science - Nursing
Saint Paul's School of Nursing
Staten Island, NY04.2019
Skills
- Patient Assessments
- Patient Education
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Medication Management
- IV Administration
- Intramuscular Injections
- Patient Care and Monitoring
- Patient Rapport
- Monitor Vital Signs
- Epic
- AHA BLS
- PMCS Certified
- BEST Certified
- CPI Certified
Personal Information
Title: Experienced Registered Nurse
Accomplishments
Daisy Award Recipient
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center
03.2024 - Current
Registered Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health
07.2023 - 02.2024
Behavioral Health LTSS Case Manager
Healthfirst
06.2022 - 03.2023
Medical Surgical Telemetry Nurse
Richmond University Medical Center
05.2021 - 08.2021
Registered Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Richmond University Medical Center
01.2020 - 06.2022
Registered Nurse Care Manager
Centers Plan For Healthy Living
09.2019 - 01.2020
Associate Of Science - Nursing
Saint Paul's School of Nursing
Bachelor Of Science - Nursing
Capella University