Michelle Cruz
Charlotte
Summary
Dynamic and bilingual Registered Nurse committed to delivering high-quality patient care and passionate about continuous learning. Proven ability to leverage clinical skills and knowledge in diverse healthcare settings, enhancing patient outcomes through effective communication and collaboration. Eager to contribute expertise in nursing practices and patient advocacy to support the mission of the organization. Ready to embrace new challenges and drive positive change within the healthcare team.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Organ Allocation Coordinator
LifeShare Carolinas
05.2025 - Current
- Evaluated new referrals and suitability for organ donation, including initial screening for tissue and eye suitability.
- Managed allocation of organs to compatible transplant recipients and coordinating with transplant centers.
- Collaborated with team for donor management prior to O.R. Arranging and overseeing the surgical recovery of organs.
- Worked with hospital staff, physicians, other organ procurement organizations, and transplant teams.
Operating Room Nurse Circulator
Piedmont Fort Mill Medical Center
08.2022 - Current
- Helped in the planning and opening of a new hospital in tasks such as ordering and organizing, communicating with surgeons their needs before surgery to ensure proper preparation.
- Fulfilling daily tasks of circulating adhering to AORN standards of perioperative practice in as well as helping with communicating surgeon needs and preferences to ensure corrections of preferences cards.
- Managed the care of the operative patient, ensuring paperwork and consents are up to date before performing surgery, as well as facilitating surgery and delivering patients to recovery.
- Be on-call for emergency surgery.
- Filled in for charge nurse as needed in her absence.
- Assist in the preparation and care of patients undergoing surgical intervention, and oversee the maintenance/sterilization of OR supplies and equipment.
- Anticipate needs of surgeons and surgical teams, and assist in operative procedures.
- Ensured OR readiness by maintaining stringent quality standards and safety precautions.
- Collaborated with physicians and other health care providers to develop a care plan for the patient during surgery, including preparing a surgical suite according to surgery and surgeon preference and performing ongoing patient assessment.
- Performed all the duties and functions of an operating circulating nurse in different service lines including general surgery, robotic and laparoscopic gynecology, urology, orthopedic total joint replacements, maxillofacial and ENT procedures.
- Preparing lab specimens to be analyzed.
Operating Room-Nurse Circulator
Atrium Health-CMC-One Day Surgery
08.2019 - 09.2023
- Filled in for charge nurse as needed in her absence.
School Nurse
Mever’s School of Excellence
11.2017 - 06.2019
- Observed and monitored the physical and mental developments of students and provided medical care as required.
- Assisted staff and faculty, including providing emergency medical services.
- Collaborated with the school principal, administrative team and parents/guardians for early identification of health ailments and addressed accordingly.
- Conducted eye exams and assessments for elementary and middle school students.
- Acquired the student's health/developmental history, and determined the appropriate course of action for the child's presenting need.
- Administered medications and assist with the management of special health care needs, including asthma, diabetes, seizures and seasonal or food allergies.
- Initiated parental contact and referral to additional school personnel as appropriate.
- Provided first aid, emergency assistance, health assessment and screenings, medication management and health counseling.
- Assessed vaccine records for new students to ensure compliance with state mandates.
RN Home Care Coordinator
Already Home Care
02.2017 - 04.2018
- Responsible for the overall operation of the agency.
- Conducted client assessments, consulted with family members and other supports to ensure care is ongoing and that all client needs are identified and met.
- Supervised the work of the office staff and caregivers in a variety of home settings, providing feedback, coaching, and direction.
- Actively communicated with case managers, families and caregivers.
- Reviewed and approved required documentation to maintain state accreditation.
- Attended supervisory visits per state guidelines as warranted.
- Interviewing, hiring and training staff.
- Scheduled and assisted with staffing cases as needed.
Home Health Registered Nurse
Nightingale’s Nursing & Attendants
08.2016 - 02.2017
- Attended to patients in need of total care following a traumatic brain injury.
- Furthered knowledge in G-tube medication administration and care, as well as suprapubic catheter change using sterile technique, medication administration and maintenance.
- Gained experience in oro-pharyngeal suctioning and range of motion exercises.
- Efficiently performed daily assessments and wrote detailed nurse’s notes.
- Monitored patient’s condition, and implemented necessary measures and safety in events of seizures or illnesses.
- Used nursing process on a daily basis and to administer as-needed medications.
- Reported any changes to client’s family and providers as needed.
Resident Services Nurse/Staff Supervisor
Atria at Woodlands
08.2015 - 06.2016
- Supervised caretakers and coached as needed to ensure quality care to the residents.
- Managed and supervised the care for clients in long term assisted living and dementia units.
- Coordinated care for residents such as appointments outside of the facility and with the on-call attending physicians.
- Attended emergency resident situations (falls, illness, etc.)
- Arranged laboratory blood draws and specimen collection as ordered by physicians.
- Maintained resident files up to date and in compliance according to state regulations.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx NY
07.2014 - 04.2015
- Worked with clients of all ages, from newborns to geriatrics and prenatal and obstetrics care.
- Prepared patients by taking vital signs prior to seeing the doctor.
- Planned, discussed and implemented preventative care plans for Bronx Ongoing Pediatric Screening, diabetes, asthma and hypertension in accordance with accepted nursing standards.
- Administered preventative vaccinations to pediatric population, as well as respiratory treatments and antibiotic medications parenterally and intramuscularly.
- Assisted with completion of all assigned treatments as necessary inefficient and timely matter.
- Developed and maintained quality communication between patients, physicians, caregivers and families.
- Attended walk-in screenings determined appropriate action of care in collaboration with the physician.
- Received phone messages and triaged based on needs of the patients.
- Performed phlebotomy to infants from the age of 5 months through adulthood.
- Preloaded vaccination records of pediatric patients into electronic system.
- Checked and monitored INR, blood glucose and hemoglobin levels on patient population 9 months and on.
Licensed Practical Nurse/Office Manager
New Jersey Geriatrics & Longevity Treatment Specialists Bergen County, NJ
06.2013 - 04.2014
- Provided clerical support for patients, such as booking appointments, scheduling procedures, and obtaining pre-authorization.
- Reviewed laboratory testing and made MD or Nurse Practitioner aware of abnormal results; notified patient of follow up appointment and plan of action.
- Prepared exam room and patients by taking vital signs and weights; electronically input diagnoses lists, medication reconciliation, collecting past medical and family history, and lifestyle.
- Efficiently attended to all aspects of the fast-paced office: Answering 25-50 calls daily, replying and sending faxes, and responded to all request of the clients, nursing homes, hospitals and pharmacies.
- Seamlessly helped the office go from paper to electronic health records system.
- Practiced effective communication skills between doctors and nurse practitioner.
- Assisted in the charting and documentation for MD and nurse practitioner, as well as monitoring vital changes in the residents for 4 different sub-acute and long term care nursing homes and hospice patients and orthopedic rehab patients, as well as hospitals, as well as medication reconciliation upon admission and discharges of such patients.
Education
B.S.N. -
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT08.2020
A.A.S. -
Helene Fuld College of Nursing
New York, NY01.2016
Diploma in Practical Nursing - Licensed Practical Nursing
The Jersey College
Teterboro, NJ01.2013
Skills
- Proficient in Spanish
- Experienced with Canopy Surginet, Epic, Centricity, and Practice Fusion
- Experience in treatment and care of brain injury clients, school nursing, operating room circulator, and organ procurement organization coordinator
- Leadership skills; Student body class president in both college campuses attended and high school Charge nurse trainee at new hospital
- Received positive feedback from clinical directors on nursing performance
- Adaptability to changing environments
- Team-oriented support for patients
- Multitasking and organization
- Data entry
- Work Planning and Prioritization
Certification
- BLS/ACLS Certified AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Active
- AORN Peri Operative Course ATRIUM HEALTH 02/2020
Timeline
Organ Allocation Coordinator
LifeShare Carolinas
05.2025 - Current
Operating Room Nurse Circulator
Piedmont Fort Mill Medical Center
08.2022 - Current
Operating Room-Nurse Circulator
Atrium Health-CMC-One Day Surgery
08.2019 - 09.2023
School Nurse
Mever’s School of Excellence
11.2017 - 06.2019
RN Home Care Coordinator
Already Home Care
02.2017 - 04.2018
Home Health Registered Nurse
Nightingale’s Nursing & Attendants
08.2016 - 02.2017
Resident Services Nurse/Staff Supervisor
Atria at Woodlands
08.2015 - 06.2016
Licensed Practical Nurse
Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx NY
07.2014 - 04.2015
Licensed Practical Nurse/Office Manager
New Jersey Geriatrics & Longevity Treatment Specialists Bergen County, NJ
06.2013 - 04.2014
B.S.N. -
Western Governors University
A.A.S. -
Helene Fuld College of Nursing
Diploma in Practical Nursing - Licensed Practical Nursing
The Jersey College