Samantha Cortez
Houston
Summary
Registered Nurse with 4+ years of acute care experience providing safe, compassionate, and patient-centered care in fast-paced hospital settings. Known for strong clinical judgment, adaptability, and prompt responsiveness to changes in patient condition. Committed to delivering high-quality care while fostering collaboration, supporting coworkers, and creating a positive work environment wherever I’m needed. Ready to bring flexibility, professionalism, and a patient-first approach to any unit I serve.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Registered Nurse- Preop
Advanced Diagnostic-River Oaks Hospital
Houston, Texas
09.2025 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive pre-anesthesia health history assessments, identifying cardiac and respiratory risks prior to surgery.
- Advocate for patient understanding and safety throughout the perioperative process.
- Establish and manage IV access, administer pre-operative medications
—including antihypertensives, pain relief, anxiety management, and
allergy prophylaxis—while following anesthesia-directed fluid and IV gauge size protocols. - Perform skilled venipuncture for labs, process specimens accurately, and
document all results timely in the electronic medical record. - Assist anesthesia providers with regional procedures such as ultrasound-
guided nerve blocks, maintaining sterile technique and monitoring patient safety throughout. - Monitor patients for acute changes in condition and communicate concerns to anesthesia and surgical teams.
- Collaborate closely with surgeons and CRNAs to ensure patient stability before transfer to the OR.
Registered Nurse III- Cardiothoracic IMU
Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital
Houston, Texas
09.2021 - 08.2025
- Managed four high-acuity cardiothoracic patients in a 30‑bed IMU, providing continuous telemetry monitoring and proactively identifying hemodynamic instability, dysrhythmias, decreased cardiac output, and respiratory compromise.
- Performed focused neurological assessments, identifying acute changes in level of consciousness and perfusion status.
- Initiated timely interventions and activated Rapid Response when deterioration was identified, facilitating safe transfer to ICU for advanced management when indicated.
- Administered vasoactive infusions including amiodarone, dobutamine, and diltiazem to maintain cardiac rhythm and perfusion stability.
- Provided post–cardiac catheterization and angioplasty care, recognizing early signs of bleeding, hematoma formation, and acute coronary complications.
- Safely administered blood products, monitoring for transfusion reactions and responded quickly to acute changes in condition.
- Managed chest tubes and surgical drains, closely monitoring output trends and assessing for tension physiology and worsening respiratory distress.
- Cared for patients with acute respiratory failure requiring BiPAP and high‑flow nasal cannula, collaborating with respiratory therapy to optimize oxygenation and prevent intubation.
- Participated in Rapid Response and Code Blue events, delivering ACLS-based interventions in collaboration with intensivists and multidisciplinary teams.
- Precepted new graduate nurses, supporting development of clinical judgment in high-acuity situations.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing Program
San Jacinto College
08.2021
Skills
- Continuous telemetry monitoring and rhythm interpretation
- Vasoactive infusion administration (amiodarone, dobutamine, diltiazem)
- Recognition of decreased cardiac output and perfusion changes
- Post–cardiac catheterization and angioplasty management
- Blood product administration and transfusion monitoring
- BiPAP and high-flow nasal cannula management
CORE CLINICAL SKILLS
Cardiac & Hemodynamic
Respiratory
- Acute respiratory failure monitoring
- Chest tube and surgical drain management
- Peripheral and ultrasound-guided IV placement
- Venipuncture for routine and stat laboratory testing
- NGT, rectal tube, and urinary catheter insertion/removal
- Epic Cerner Athena
- Magnet & Joint Commission compliance
Procedural
Systems
Certification
Registered Nurse [Texas]
Timeline
Registered Nurse- Preop
Advanced Diagnostic-River Oaks Hospital
09.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse III- Cardiothoracic IMU
Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital
09.2021 - 08.2025
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing Program
San Jacinto College