Matthew Gallegos
Lincoln ,NE
Summary
Diligent nursing professional brings strong foundation of medical knowledge and patient care expertise, honed over 25 years of industry experience. Trained in critical care, wound care, I.V’s. Arterial lines, balloon pumps, and Swan Ganz. I completed ECCO, a multiple hour certification in PCU, and NIH certification, and well versed in cardiac and EKG interpretation and monitoring. I am well versed in cardiac stress tests, and nuclear stress tests, TTE, TEE, bubble study, echo and ejection fraction, conscious sedation as well as many other procedures. I love people and I have a passion for nursing. I’ve always viewed nursing as a profession of servitude and not status.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Charge Nurse
Bryan Hospital
Lincoln, NE
05.2021 - Current
- Developed and maintained close relationships with patients and families to facilitate smooth communications, provide encouragement and build trust.
- Supervised patient admissions and discharges from hospital to home care, rehabilitative facility, or self-care.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
Acute Dialysis Registered Nurse
DCL
Lincoln, NE
10.2019 - 05.2021
- Delivered compassionate care to patients during challenging times, fostering trust and strong patient relationships.
- Met with patients to gather vitals, evaluate symptoms and assess conditions, ordered diagnostic tests and interpreted laboratory results.
- Enhanced patient care by providing high-quality acute dialysis treatment and monitoring vital signs closely.
- Ensured compliance with infection control standards by maintaining a clean environment and adhering to proper sterilization techniques when handling equipment.
- Recognized changes in each patient's condition and adjusted dialysis treatments on daily basis.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and their families, addressing concerns regarding the acute dialysis process in a sensitive manner.
Registered Nurse
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals-Lincoln Campus
Lincoln, NE
09.2017 - 10.2019
- Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
Travel Registered Nurse
Maxim Staffing Solutions/Specialty LTAC
Lincoln, NE
06.2016 - 09.2016
- Contributed to higher standards of care within the facility by mentoring new nurses and sharing best practices from prior experiences in various clinical settings.
- Enhanced patient care by efficiently managing multiple cases in high-stress environments.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
Director of Nursing
Breathe America Asthma And Allergy Center
Albuquerque, NM
07.2013 - 06.2016
- Led quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes through data-driven analysis and targeted interventions.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Facilitated continuing education and training programs to drive staff competency and professional development.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Established and monitored infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Promoted a culture of safety by enforcing compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
Neuro ICU Registered Nurse
University Of New Mexico, NM
Albuquerque, NM
04.2011 - 04.2013
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Advocated for patients'' rights and autonomy, creating an environment of trust and respect that empowered individuals to participate actively in their own healthcare decisions.
- Developed individualized nursing care plans based on thorough assessments of each patient''s unique needs and goals for recovery.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care, streamlining communication among healthcare professionals.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to optimize patient outcomes and enhance nursing practices within the neuro ICU setting.
- Championed a culture of teamwork and collaboration on the neuro ICU unit, promoting positive morale and enhanced patient care.
- Conducted neurological assessments at regular intervals, detecting subtle changes in clinical status that could signal worsening conditions or potential complications.
- Implemented evidence-based strategies to prevent pressure injuries in high-risk patients, reducing overall incidence rates on the unit.
Travel Registered Nurse, ICU
ASAP Staffing Services
McAllen, TX
06.2010 - 03.2012
- Guided patients, caregivers, and family members on plans of treatment and helpful resources available locally to support care.
- Mentored new nursing staff on best practices in ICU care, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- Coordinated with healthcare staff from various disciplines to devise, carry out, and manage personalized care plans to benefit patient health and recovery.
- Streamlined communication between medical professionals, ensuring timely updates on patient status and treatment plans.
- Managed the administration of medication safely and accurately, reducing potential errors or adverse reactions among ICU patients.
- Utilized advanced skills such as ventilator management and central line placement to provide specialized care for ICU patients.
Cardiac ICU/Post Heart Recovery RN
McAllen Heart Hospital
McAllen, TX
10.2009 - 09.2010
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Developed strong relationships with patients'' families, providing emotional support while addressing concerns or questions about care plans.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Managed patient caseloads effectively, ensuring timely interventions and thorough follow-ups to mitigate potential complications.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse
Presbyterian Hospital
Albuquerque, NM
09.2008 - 07.2009
- Ensured patient safety by strictly adhering to infection control protocols and maintaining a clean working environment.
- Managed the administration of medication effectively, ensuring accurate dosages and preventing adverse reactions.
- Reduced complications post-surgery through diligent assessment, intervention, and timely communication with the interdisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate
Presbyterian Hospital-Albuquerque Emergency Room
Albuquerque, NM
01.2000 - 10.2008
- Enhanced patient care by efficiently assessing and treating medical emergencies in various settings.
- Delivered emotional support to patients and families.
- Immobilized patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport.
- Assisted with lifting and moving patients.
- Promoted a positive image of the organization through professionalism, empathy, and exceptional customer service while interacting with patients and their families.
- Administered CPR, oxygen and other life-saving medical treatments.
Education
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
10.2008
Skills
- Trauma recovery
- Patient Care
- Medical Procedure Preparation
- Accurate Documentation
- Patient Care Standards
- Treatment Plan Modification
- Patient Assessments
- Heartsaver CPR AED
- Vitals monitoring
- Personal Integrity
- Tracheostomy Care
- Patient Care Assessment
- Initial Trauma Life Support
- Patient and family advocacy
- Immunizations and Vaccinations
- Infection Control
- Intake and discharge
- Cardiac monitors
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- HIPAA Compliance
- Quality Improvement
- Wound Care
- Diabetes management
Timeline
Charge Nurse - Bryan Hospital
05.2021 - Current
Acute Dialysis Registered Nurse - DCL
10.2019 - 05.2021
Registered Nurse - Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals-Lincoln Campus
09.2017 - 10.2019
Travel Registered Nurse - Maxim Staffing Solutions/Specialty LTAC
06.2016 - 09.2016
Director of Nursing - Breathe America Asthma And Allergy Center
07.2013 - 06.2016
Neuro ICU Registered Nurse - University Of New Mexico, NM
04.2011 - 04.2013
Travel Registered Nurse, ICU - ASAP Staffing Services
06.2010 - 03.2012
Cardiac ICU/Post Heart Recovery RN - McAllen Heart Hospital
10.2009 - 09.2010
Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse - Presbyterian Hospital
09.2008 - 07.2009
Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate - Presbyterian Hospital-Albuquerque Emergency Room
01.2000 - 10.2008
Apollo College - Associate Degree In Nursing, Nursing