Mellicent Balaga
registered nurse
Iselin,NJ
Summary
Hardworking nursing professional bringing 28+ years of experience delivering exceptional care to sick patients. Knowledgeable about assessing and implementing requirements and skilled at maximizing patient comfort and safety while meeting strict cost control standards. Well-organized and forward-thinking in managing patient needs. Maintains cultural and diversity awareness when dealing with patients, visitors, co-workers and other customers. Interacted with patients and colleagues, demonstrating compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status or cultural beliefs.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
OR Nurse
Specialty Surgery Secaucus/ Middletown
Perth Amboy, NJ
10.2012 - Current
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
- Kept optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage and other areas to meet typical patient loads.
- Accurately recorded all interactions in medical charts, documenting accidents and interventions applied.
- Evaluated charting procedures to ensure adherence to best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to advocate for and strive to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Optimized department efficiency by analyzing procedures and data regarding charting and patient flows.
- Orchestrated quality-driven, cost-effective care for as many as [Number] patients each day in high-volume [Type] setting.
- Delegated tasks and provided leadership for [Number] nurses and support personnel.
- Participated in development of guidelines for [Type] care.
- Adhered to treatment plan instructions when administering medications and treatments to patients.
- Strictly protected confidentiality of all information related to patient care activities and EMS operations.
- Administered different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
- Identified and assisted with opportunities for performance improvement activities on unit and with other service areas.
- Analyzed care plans and upheld JCAHO, Medicare and Medicaid guidelines.
- Analyzed patient responses to medications, therapies and variances in plans of care.
OR Nurse
Raritan Bay Medical Center
Perth Amboy, NJ
10.1999 - 10.2012
- Optimized department efficiency by analyzing procedures and data regarding charting and patient flows.
- Documented vitals and medical histories in patient charts when assessing patients and communicated patient information to physicians and other nurses for care continuity.
- Contributed to committees in effort to promote standardize practices and procedures across hospital-wide nursing stations.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Participated in development of guidelines for [Type] care.
- Demonstrated ability to advocate for and strive to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Mitigated hazard potential from patients with communicable diseases.
- Inserted catheters and completed tracheostomy for patients.
- Observed and reported patient condition, progress and medication side effects to accurately document updates.
- Provided comprehensive data on patient care, hospital procedures and nursing best practices.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
- Kept optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage and other areas to meet typical patient loads.
- Orchestrated quality-driven, cost-effective care for as many as [Number] patients each day in high-volume [Type] setting.
- Adhered to treatment plan instructions when administering medications and treatments to patients.
- Provided patient status updates to nurses to ensure that every patients' needs were met.
- Delegated tasks and provided leadership for [Number] nurses and support personnel.
- Utilized portable diagnostic assessment equipment.
- Spearheaded and implemented standardized processes to control supply and inventory management.
- Analyzed care plans and upheld JCAHO, Medicare and Medicaid guidelines.
- Evaluated charting procedures to ensure adherence to best practices.
- Delivered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections, monitoring responses to catch and address new concerns.
Staff Nurse
Raritan Bay Medical Center
Perth Amboy, NJ
10.1992 - 10.1999
- Managed elements of patient care, from admission to discharge or transfer to other units, using nursing expertise to conduct assessments, administer medications, initiate nursing and emergency interventions, contribute to care plan development and educate patients.
- Oversaw work of nursing student technicians and externs to educate on proper procedures and how to prioritize care tasks.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
- Delivered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections, monitoring responses to catch and address new concerns.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
- Implemented interventions, including medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care and discharge instructions.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic and cognitive status of patients.
- Observed and reported patient condition, progress and medication side effects to accurately document updates.
- Identified learning needs of patients and families and responded with advocacy and health education.
- Led successful [Number]-person team comprised of RNs, LPNs and ancillary staff.
- Provided high quality care to approximately [Number] patients per day on [Number]-bed unit
- Minimized hospital stays with recovery-centered approaches, reducing in-patient stay length [Number]% on average.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Formulated plans for nursing measures to restore, maintain and promote patients' physical and mental health.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures and nursing best practices.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Velez College of Nursing
Cebu City, Philippines03.1989
Skills
- Current New Jersey licensure with State Board of Nurse Examiners
- CNOR certification
- Healthcare ethics
- Nursing staff leadership
- Clinical documentation
- Strong clinical judgment
- Data entry
- Oxygen saturation standards
- Patient and family advocacy
- Intravenous therapy
- Collecting vitals
Timeline
OR Nurse
Specialty Surgery Secaucus/ Middletown
10.2012 - Current
OR Nurse
Raritan Bay Medical Center
10.1999 - 10.2012
Staff Nurse
Raritan Bay Medical Center
10.1992 - 10.1999
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Velez College of Nursing