Zasha Cantu
Houston
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Houston
07.2024 - Current
- Provide specialized, high-acuity care to critically ill neonates with complex medical needs, including those who require mechanical ventilation, intensive monitoring, and life-sustaining treatments.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team during rounds, including neonatologist, neonatal nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, and nutritionists to implement specialized care plans for neonates.
- Activity attending high-risk deliveries as a member of the neonatal resuscitation team and performing immediate NRP as needed during the admission process.
- Provided comprehensive nursing care to neonates in a unit with an average census of 2-4 patients.
- Maintained precise documentation and adhered to HIPAA guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of patient health information.
- Identifying potential risk factors that may alter a neonates health outcome by developing strategies for prevention and detecting emerging problems through monitoring patients' behavior, vital signs, and fluid intake and output.
- Provided emotional support to families during challenging situations; educating parents on neonatal care and health management techniques to ensure the implementation of infection control measures.
- Briefly served as a preceptor providing clinical guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure safe and effective patient care.
Critical Care Float Pool Registered Nurse
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Houston
07.2024 - Current
- Float seamlessly to labor and delivery, postpartum newborn nursery and serving as a lactation consultant; providing breastfeeding support, newborn assessments, medication administration, and family education.
- Responded promptly to emergencies, utilizing critical thinking skills by assisting in baby catching skills during vaginal deliveries and cesarean sections with precision.
- Perform newborn resuscitation and stabilization per NRP guidelines; initiate transfers to NICU when necessary.
- Recognized by peers and supervisors for flexibility, teamwork, and ability to maintain high-quality care across units.
- Proven ability to rapidly adapt to changing environments, manage complex obstetric cases, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe deliveries and optimal neonatal outcomes.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of St. Thomas
Houston, TX01-2022
Skills
- Neonatal resuscitation (NRP)
- Ventilator and CPAP management
- UAC/UVC and PICC line care
- Phototherapy/Thermoregulation
- Enteral feeding and TPN placement/management (NG/OG)
- Venipuncture and arterial sampling within NICU protocols/ lab value interpretation (ABGs, electrolytes, CBC)
- Use of specialized NICU equipment (incubators, phototherapy, pulse oximeters)
- Blood transfusion administration
- High risk delivery attendance
Certification
- Registered Nurse License, Texas Board of Nursing (License# 1084782)
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certified
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification
- S.T.A.B.L.E. Certification
Accomplishments
- Contributed to a NICU-focused residency project on car seat safety that received recognition from leadership and is now integrated into the unit’s discharge education process.
- Served as a preceptor for newly hired nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, providing clinical guidance, mentorship, and support during their orientation.
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Timeline
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
07.2024 - Current
Critical Care Float Pool Registered Nurse
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
07.2024 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of St. Thomas
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