Nicole Tapia
South Pasadena,CA
Summary
Perioperative Charge Nurse Leader with 4+ years of experience directing surgical services, optimizing operating room efficiency, and delivering exceptional patient-centered care. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, coordinate complex surgical workflows, support surgeons across diverse specialties, and drive quality, safety, and regulatory excellence. Recognized for strengthening team performance, enhancing patient outcomes, and advancing a culture of accountability and collaboration.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Charge Nurse Manager, OR
Glendale Adventist Surgery Center
Glendale, USA
06.2022 - Current
- Directed and mentored perioperative staff, elevating patient care, engagement, and professional growth.
- Drove process improvement initiatives that enhanced documentation accuracy and operational performance.
- Strengthened infection prevention practices, ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance.
- Managed staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation to support high-quality, cost-effective care.
- Spearheaded communications with surgeons, physicians, and executive leadership to improve clinical and operational outcomes.
- Oversaw inventory, supply chain management, and procurement of critical surgical resources.
- Facilitated staff onboarding, education, and competency development to improve retention and performance.
- Monitored quality metrics and implemented corrective actions to achieve departmental goals and continuous improvement.
- Served as Interim Director of Facilities, overseeing regulatory readiness, facility operations, and safety compliance.
- Managed facility-wide medication procurement and inventory to ensure uninterrupted clinical operations.
- Maintained emergency preparedness equipment, including Crash Carts, Malignant Hyperthermia Cart, and Difficult Intubation Cart.
- Demonstrated advanced perioperative expertise across plastics, orthopedics, podiatry/hand surgery, urology, ophthalmology/retina, gynecology, pain management, ENT, general surgery.
Circulating OR Nurse
USC Keck Hospital
Glendale, California
06.2024 - 09.2025
- Delivered expert perioperative nursing care for complex plastics, robotics, urology, orthopedic, and podiatry procedures.
- Assisted anesthesia providers with intraoperative arterial line and central venous catheter placement, ensuring sterile technique and patient safety.
- Set the benchmark for OR efficiency, consistently leading rapid room turnovers while maintaining safety and quality standards.
- Coordinated complex surgical workflows, anticipating procedural needs and optimizing case progression.
- Managed surgical instrumentation, equipment, and sterile field integrity to support uninterrupted operative performance.
- Served as a trusted resource for high-acuity and complex cases, recognized for clinical judgment, adaptability, and operational excellence.
- Drove multidisciplinary collaboration to enhance patient safety, surgical efficiency, and team performance.
Registered Nurse, Peri-Op/PACU
Dr. John Diaz Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
Beverly Hills, USA
10.2022 - 02.2023
- Delivered comprehensive perioperative care, optimizing patient outcomes and recovery.
- Performed suture removal, wound assessments, and postoperative follow-up care to support healing and patient satisfaction.
- Championed infection prevention and patient safety standards throughout the continuum of care.
- Created and implemented patient education materials to improve surgical preparedness, recovery, and treatment adherence.
- Collaborated with surgeons and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate individualized treatment plans and optimize outcomes.
- Counseled patients regarding medication side effects or lifestyle changes necessary for improved health outcomes.
Registered Nurse, L&D Residency
Providence St. Joseph
Burbank, USA
09.2022 - 11.2022
- Provided comprehensive intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care, ensuring safe, evidence-based outcomes for mothers and infants.
- Managed high-risk obstetric emergencies, including crash cesarean sections, maternal emergencies, and neonatal resuscitation.
- Collaborated with OB-GYNs, anesthesia providers, and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate complex patient care and rapidly address complications.
- Responded to obstetric and neonatal codes, delivering critical care support in fast-paced, high-acuity situations.
Education
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
West Coast University
North Hollywood, CA10-2026
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
West Coast University
North Hollywood, CA04-2022
Skills
- Nursing Leadership & Team Management
- Clinical Operations Management
- Performance Improvement Initiatives
- Patient Safety & Quality Assurance
- Budget & Resource Management
- Infection Prevention & Control
- Strategic Planning & Accreditation Compliance
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Coordinated Policy & Procedure Development
- EHR Systems: Cerner, Superuser Epic
Certification
- RN License: 95285006
- BLS
- ACLS
- PALS
- Peri-Operative 101 Certified
Timeline
Circulating OR Nurse
USC Keck Hospital
06.2024 - 09.2025
Registered Nurse, Peri-Op/PACU
Dr. John Diaz Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
10.2022 - 02.2023
Registered Nurse, L&D Residency
Providence St. Joseph
09.2022 - 11.2022
Charge Nurse Manager, OR
Glendale Adventist Surgery Center
06.2022 - Current
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
West Coast University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
West Coast University