Merleen Lopez
Vista,CA
Summary
Licensed Vocational Nurse graduate with a healthcare background since 2010 and experience in step-down intensive care, emergency care, acute care, intermediate care, skilled nursing, home health, private care, and Alzheimer’s care. Strong clinical skills in patient assessment, glucose monitoring, medication administration, charting, telemetry, and recognizing early signs of patient deterioration. Bilingual in Spanish and committed to safe, patient-centered care, teamwork, and strong communication in fast-paced healthcare settings.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Licensed Practical Nurse Clinical
Sharp Grossmont Hospital – Innovation Unit (Step-Down ICU)
01.2026 - Current
- Provided care for high-acuity patients, including patients with sepsis and pneumonia
- Assisted with ventilated and tracheostomy patients
- Performed vital signs, glucose monitoring, medication administration, and charting
- Communicated patient status changes to the registered nurse and healthcare team
- Assisted with wound care, patient hygiene, and full assessments
- Recognized and reported signs of patient deterioration
- Administered medications and monitored patient vital signs in step-down ICU setting.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Medely | Sharecare | Aya Healthcare | Talent Marketplace Staffing
10.2021 - Current
- Provide direct patient care in skilled nursing and healthcare settings
- Perform vital signs, bed baths, repositioning, Foley care, charting, and activities of daily living assistance
- Complete intake and output documentation
- Pass and collect meal trays
- Escort patients to appointments as needed
- Adapt quickly to different patient populations and facility workflows
Licensed Practical Nurse Clinical
Sharp HealthCare
08.2025 - 12.2025
- Performed assessments, vital signs, and electrocardiograms in a high-acuity emergency setting
- Assisted with medication administration following safety protocols
- Participated in IV therapy and patient care under registered nurse supervision
- Provided patient education and supported interdisciplinary teamwork
- Demonstrated critical thinking and prioritization in a fast-paced environment
Licensed Practical Nurse Clinical
GlenBrook Health Center
06.2025 - 08.2025
- Performed blood glucose monitoring and vital signs
- Assisted nurses with rounding and patient care
- Conducted patient assessments
- Provided patient-centered care and support
Licensed Practical Nurse Clinical
Aviara Healthcare Center
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Performed glucose checks and routine vital signs
- Assisted licensed vocational nurses with medication administration
- Developed time management and prioritization skills
- Provided direct patient care and assistance with activities of daily living
Certified Nursing Assistant / Patient Service Representative
Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas
10.2018 - 10.2021
- Monitored and recorded vital signs and reported abnormalities to nursing staff
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, repositioning, and hygiene care
- Provided Foley catheter care and maintained accurate intake and output documentation
- Supported patient comfort and safety through timely repositioning and care
- Assisted with meal distribution and collection of food trays
- Documented patient care and observations in electronic medical records
- Answered and managed incoming calls, directing patients appropriately
- Registered patients, completed paperwork, and verified information
- Uploaded documents into patient charts and maintained accurate records
- Scheduled appointments and coordinated patient flow
- Supported radiology department, including walk-in X-rays and scheduling mammograms
Advanced Care Technician
Tri-City Medical Center
06.2014 - 02.2018
- Performed computer charting of activities of daily living, vital signs, and intake and output
- Monitored and recorded vital signs and reported abnormalities promptly to nursing staff
- Assisted with telemetry monitoring, including electrode and telemetry box placement
- Maintained accurate intake and output documentation
- Assisted patients with ambulation, toileting, and transfers to commode
- Supported patient hygiene including bathing, dressing, and shower setup
- Assisted with meal tray distribution and collection
- Obtained daily weights and ensured accurate documentation
- Prepared patient rooms for admissions, including stocking supplies and setting up equipment
- Assisted with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges
- Discontinued Foley catheters and IV lines under registered nurse supervision
- Assisted registered nurses with pre-operative preparation for cardiac procedures, including coronary artery bypass graft procedures and chlorhexidine baths
- Provided post-operative care, including monitoring vital signs and patient condition
- Supported care of patients following cardiac catheterization
- Monitored patients during blood transfusions and reported adverse reactions
- Maintained knowledge and application of droplet, airborne, contact, and chemotherapy precautions
- Recognized and reported signs and symptoms of cardiac and neurological emergencies, including stroke and myocardial infarction
- Demonstrated strong communication by promptly reporting changes in patient condition to the registered nurse
Health Specialist / Home Health Aide
Jane Claypool
02.2014 - 10.2014
- Monitored vital signs and activities of daily living
- Assisted with range of motion, peri-care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, bathing, scheduling, and organization
Certified Nursing Assistant
R+R Professional Healthcare Staffing
07.2011 - 10.2014
- Provided patient care across skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and private home care
- Adapted quickly to new environments, patient populations, and facility protocols
- Delivered safe and efficient care in fast-paced settings
- Assisted with activities of daily living, vital signs, and patient monitoring
- Maintained accurate documentation and followed facility-specific charting systems
- Built strong interpersonal relationships with patients, families, and healthcare staff
- Applied critical thinking and problem-solving skills in unfamiliar clinical situations
Certified Nursing Assistant
Vista Knoll Specialized Care Facility
07.2010 - 07.2012
- Provided care for residents in a specialized neurobehavioral and Alzheimer’s unit within short-term and long-term care settings
- Assisted with activities of daily living including bathing, feeding, dressing, and incontinence care
- Monitored and recorded vital signs and reported changes in condition to nursing staff
- Utilized PointClickCare for accurate and timely documentation
- Applied de-escalation techniques to manage residents with behavioral and psychological symptoms
- Promoted patient safety, dignity, and comfort in a fast-paced environment
Certified Home Health Aide Clinical / Certified Nursing Assistant Clinical
Seacrest Village
04.2010 - 05.2010
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living in the home setting
- Followed care plans and worked independently
- Maintained safe patient care practices and followed protocols
- Explained procedures clearly while performing care
Education
Associate of Science - Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
MiraCosta College
08.2026
Home Health Aide
MiraCosta College
05.2011
Certified Nursing Assistant
MiraCosta College
05.2010
Skills
- Patient assessment
- Medication administration
- Electronic charting
- Telemetry
- Electrocardiograms
- Wound care assistance
- Tracheostomy and ventilator patient support
- Infection control and isolation precautions
- Patient education
- Team collaboration
- Time management
- Bilingual in Spanish
- Vital signs monitoring
- Direct patient care
- HIPAA compliance
Accomplishments
Tri-City Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship, 2026
Certification
- IV Therapy Certification and Blood Withdrawal Certification
- Basic Life Support
- Certified Nursing Assistant
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Licensed Practical Nurse Clinical
Sharp Grossmont Hospital – Innovation Unit (Step-Down ICU)
01.2026 - Current
Licensed Practical Nurse Clinical
Sharp HealthCare
08.2025 - 12.2025
Licensed Practical Nurse Clinical
GlenBrook Health Center
06.2025 - 08.2025
Licensed Practical Nurse Clinical
Aviara Healthcare Center
01.2025 - 05.2025
Certified Nursing Assistant
Medely | Sharecare | Aya Healthcare | Talent Marketplace Staffing
10.2021 - Current
Certified Nursing Assistant / Patient Service Representative
Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas
10.2018 - 10.2021
Advanced Care Technician
Tri-City Medical Center
06.2014 - 02.2018
Health Specialist / Home Health Aide
Jane Claypool
02.2014 - 10.2014
Certified Nursing Assistant
R+R Professional Healthcare Staffing
07.2011 - 10.2014
Certified Nursing Assistant
Vista Knoll Specialized Care Facility
07.2010 - 07.2012
Certified Home Health Aide Clinical / Certified Nursing Assistant Clinical
Seacrest Village
04.2010 - 05.2010
Certified Nursing Assistant
MiraCosta College
Associate of Science - Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
MiraCosta College
Home Health Aide
MiraCosta College
Leadership Experience Co-President, MiraCosta College Nursing Students’ Association 2026 – Present
2026 – Present
- Represent LVN student interests in nursing student leadership activities
- Collaborate with student leaders and faculty to improve communication and student involvement
- Support planning of outreach efforts, student events, and nursing association initiatives
- Promote engagement and inclusion across nursing student groups