SANDRA L Contreras
Westport,CT
Summary
Compassionate and patient-centered bilingual English/Spanish registered nurse with 13 years of experience in multiple physician-supervised healthcare settings who demonstrates a record of reliability and responsibility.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
IV Nurse
Greenwich Hospital
01.2022 - Current
- Insert, maintain, and remove IVs according to the physician’s instructions
- Strong ability to locate hard-to-find veins
- Access, de-access, and maintain implanted ports
- Maintain care and remove PICC lines/Midlines according to providers’ orders
- Consultation and advice on solutions for IV complications
- Identified potential drug interactions and complications
- Addressed issues with IV insertions
- Request and restock IV therapy-related supplies
- Assist floor nurses with blood and other blood product transfusions
- Monitored the progress of patients once IV was inserted and started.
Assistant Director
Americares Free Clinics
08.2019 - 08.2023
- Oversee the efficient and effective functioning of the Clinic sessions
- Process data collection forms
- Supervise, orient, train, and evaluate the competency of clinic staff and volunteers
- Enforce policy and procedures
- Demonstrate professionalism and skills in working with staff and patients
- Ensure that assessment of patient eligibility and medical care is up to standards
- Follow-up and continuity of patient care
- Work with providers to furnish comprehensive medical services, including medications and referrals
- Responsible for special assignments and projects as designated by the clinic director.
Staff Nurse
Greenwich Hospital
02.2018 - 01.2022
- Perform full assessments and provide total patient care for 1-2 patients
- Observe patients' vital signs and implement interventions based on critical thinking and assessment skills
- Give compassionate care to critical patients suffering from debilitating conditions
- Manage life support equipment and IV administration of medication and fluids
- Monitor telemetry and respond to codes
- Assist physicians with the placement of central lines and managed IVs
- Responsible for continuous monitoring and assessment of assigned patients
- Maintain and record accurate and detailed flowsheets of patient's conditions
- Report any symptoms and changes in the patient's condition
- Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by the patient's condition
- Perform as a recovery nurse within the ICU on the weekends when PACU unit is closed
- Assess patient emotional well-being post-operatively to provide compassionate support services as needed
- Perform and record vital sign checks in 15minute intervals and Aldrete score post-operatively to determine patient readiness to be safely transferred to the surgical unit
- Inform patients and family members regarding surgical procedures and immediate post-op care and the environment.
Float Nurse, Per diem
Norwalk Hospital
01.2020 - 04.2020
- Prepared, implemented, and evaluated nursing care for patients through each surgical procedure step
- Educated patients and their families regarding operating procedures, expectations, side effects, and recovery process
- Provided compassionate, individualized care for each patient in the preoperative areas
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms
- Evaluated patient's level of pain, implementing effective medications and pain management techniques
- Adhered to strict safety measures by carefully determining proper dosages before administering medications
- Administered medications to and monitored response to medications during the post-operative phase
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems
- Accurately documented treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
Staff Nurse
Greenwich Hospital
12.2014 - 01.2018
- Provided individualized patient/family education and developed a care plan in collaboration with the healthcare team customized to the patient and his family
- Conducted an individualized patient assessment, prioritizing the data collection based on the adult or elderly patient's immediate surgical condition or needs
- Developed an individualized plan of care for the adult or elderly patient, reflecting collaboration with other members of the healthcare team
- Provided emotional care and support for the patient and their families
- Performed appropriate treatments as ordered by a physician in an accurate and timely manner and reported the patient’s condition to appropriate personnel during each shift.
Community Health Nurse
E.S.E Santiago de Tunja
01.2013 - 06.2013
- Travel to different health centers around town to provide health care services to the needy
- Arranged and presented teaching lectures to adults about healthy lifestyles
- Performed initial pregnancy assessment and reported abnormalities, including referrals to specialists
- Took smears, reported abnormal results, and made referrals to specialists
- Conducted birth control consultations
- Assessed the development and growth of children from ages 0 to 12.
Float Nurse
El Laguito Medical Clinic, Sogamoso Colombia
06.2012 - 12.2012
- Reviewed risk management policies and protocols
- Handled nursing activities for In Hospital and Emergency Room
- Performed assessments and monitored patients’ vital signs
- Administered medications (intravenous, muscular, intradermic)
- Provided emotional care and support for patients and their families
- Conducted discharge teaching and scheduled follow-up appointments
- Provided patients with self-care, infant care, and family planning information
- As a triage nurse in the emergency room, I gathered information upon patent's arrival: including name, age, symptoms, and the current medical condition of the patients
- Compassionate, caring, and patient-centered professional with effective interpersonal and communication skills, bilingual English/Spanish registered nurse who demonstrates a record of reliability and responsibility.
Education
Bachelor’s - Science in Nursing
Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia
Masters - nursing science Adult/Gerontology
Western Connecticut State University
Affiliations
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
Former Secretary- Connecticut Chapter 01/2019- 02/2021
Timeline
IV Nurse
Greenwich Hospital
01.2022 - Current
Float Nurse, Per diem
Norwalk Hospital
01.2020 - 04.2020
Assistant Director
Americares Free Clinics
08.2019 - 08.2023
Staff Nurse
Greenwich Hospital
02.2018 - 01.2022
Staff Nurse
Greenwich Hospital
12.2014 - 01.2018
Community Health Nurse
E.S.E Santiago de Tunja
01.2013 - 06.2013
Float Nurse
El Laguito Medical Clinic, Sogamoso Colombia
06.2012 - 12.2012
Bachelor’s - Science in Nursing
Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia
Masters - nursing science Adult/Gerontology
Western Connecticut State University
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