Mercedes A Cruz-Gonzalez HN
Woodhaven,NY
Summary
Compassionate, hardworking charge nurse well-versed in primary care, with distinguished understanding of hospital functions.
Committed to patient education and advocacy.
NY State Board Certified Registered Nurse with over 41 years of experience delivering high-quality care to patients in acute care units.
Proven leader, effective at uniting and guiding nursing teams toward achieving patient care goals and improving unit satisfaction.
Well-versed in Joint Commission standards and typical hospital procedures focused on maximizing patient safety.
Highly organized and proactive in managing patient's needs.
Performs in stressful and crisis situations and interprets and applies policies and procedures with good judgment.
Multiple Joint commission passaged.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
HN
Bellevue Hospital Center
NY., NY
01.2023 - Current
- Maintained reports to provide oncoming shift with full patient status.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to create, implement and adapt individualized care plans.
- Advised, coached and mentored experienced and student nurses on medical issues, crisis management and appropriate nursing interventions.
- Delivered extensive training to newly hired employees and student nurses, offering insight and assistance related to emergent situations.
- Addressed rapid response and code situations by strategically organizing and delegating tasks.
- Evaluated patients to develop and update treatment plans while anticipating day-to-day needs.
- Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in electronic medical records.
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care.
- Imparted medical, operational and patient care knowledge to junior nurses, supporting personal growth and enhancing professional development.
- Monitored and educated nursing students and externs on proper care procedures and prioritization strategies.
- Supervised nurse administration of oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients as prescribed, monitoring responses for adverse reactions.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Demonstrated leadership by making improvements to work processes and helping to train others.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
Charge Nurse
Bellevue Hospital Center
Ny, NY
01.2021 - 2022
- Assisted in the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.
- Coordinated communication between physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding patient care.
- Conducted daily rounds to assess patient conditions, evaluate progress towards goals, and document changes in status or plan of care as needed.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to ensure best practice standards were met within the unit setting.
- Actively participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient progress toward desired outcomes.
- Ensured compliance with infection control protocols throughout the facility.
- Distributed assignments to RNs, LPNs and resident advisors, guided work and delivered training to promote proper care standards for patients.
- Evaluated patient outcomes against established standards of care.
- Performed health education activities with patients to promote understanding of medical condition and self-care skills.
- Assisted with admission and discharge planning for assigned patients.
- Served as a preceptor for new nurses by providing orientation to unit policies and procedures, coaching on clinical skills, and mentoring on professional development issues.
Staff Nurse
Bellevue Hospital Center
Ny, NY
02.1992 - 01.2021
- Maintained accurate records of patient progress notes, medications administered and other relevant data.
- Developed individualized teaching strategies for each patient based on their specific needs.
- Identified potential problems or issues that may arise during treatment, such as drug interactions or allergies, and provided appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Provided direct patient care including wound dressing, administering medication and IV therapy.
- Assessed patients to determine their physical condition, health status and needs.
- Monitored vital signs and documented changes in a timely manner.
- Conducted patient education on medical treatments and procedures.
- Assisted physicians with exams, lab tests or other procedures as requested.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to develop plans of care for patients.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of nursing interventions and modified plans as needed.
RN Staff Nurse Medical/Surgical Nurse
NRI REFERRAL
New York, NY
1990 - 1991
- Treated patients with strokes, head traumas, comas and intracranial hematomas.
- Developed and adapted individualized treatment plans according to patient recovery goals.
- Monitored patient vitals post-surgery, managed medical equipment and administered medications and IVs.
- Conducted patient assessments and diagnostic tests to provide physician with important patient health information.
- Facilitated transition to home care by providing patients with continued care information and discharge instructions.
- Communicated effectively with physicians and provided support during surgical procedures.
- Developed care plans complete with effective nursing measures to improve patients' mental and physical health.
Medical Surgical Staff Registered Nurse
Gotham Inc. and Staff builders.
NY , NY
1987 - 1989
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care.
- Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in electronic medical records.
- Developed care plans complete with effective nursing measures to improve patients' mental and physical health.
- Communicated effectively with physicians and provided support during surgical procedures.
- Evaluated patients to develop and update treatment plans while anticipating day-to-day needs.
- Facilitated transition to home care by providing patients with continued care information and discharge instructions.
- Conducted patient assessments and diagnostic tests to provide physician with important patient health information.
ICU Clinical Nurse. CCU Clinic Nurse
Kings County Hospital Center
Brooklyn, NY
02.1983 - 06.1986
- Managed central, arterial and PICC lines.
- Treated patients with strokes, head traumas, comas and intracranial hematomas.
- Developed and adapted individualized treatment plans according to patient recovery goals.
- Addressed rapid response and code situations by strategically organizing and delegating tasks.
- Monitored patient vitals post-surgery, managed medical equipment and administered medications and IVs.
- Conducted patient assessments and diagnostic tests to provide physician with important patient health information.
- Facilitated transition to home care by providing patients with continued care information and discharge instructions.
- Evaluated patients to develop and update treatment plans while anticipating day-to-day needs.
- Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in electronic medical records.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
Education
Associate of Science - NURSING
Kingsborough Community College of The City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY01.1983
MEDICAL-SURGICAL CERTIFICATION
Skills
- Patient assessments
- Care plan management
- Staff training
- Unit administration
- Precepting
- Leadership
- Critical Thinking
- Teambuilding
Accomplishments
IRENE YOUNTZ AWARD.
19 SOUTH EXCELLENCE AWARD.
NURSE RECOGNITION AWARD.
NYSNA GRIEVANCE CHAIR.
NYSNA LBU PRESIDENT.
PRECEPTOR EXCELLENT AWARD.
Timeline
HN
Bellevue Hospital Center
01.2023 - Current
Charge Nurse
Bellevue Hospital Center
01.2021 - 2022
Staff Nurse
Bellevue Hospital Center
02.1992 - 01.2021
ICU Clinical Nurse. CCU Clinic Nurse
Kings County Hospital Center
02.1983 - 06.1986
RN Staff Nurse Medical/Surgical Nurse
NRI REFERRAL
1990 - 1991
Medical Surgical Staff Registered Nurse
Gotham Inc. and Staff builders.
1987 - 1989
Associate of Science - NURSING
Kingsborough Community College of The City University of New York
MEDICAL-SURGICAL CERTIFICATION