Bertha Mercado
Registered Nurse
Cary ,North Carolina
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service. Compassionate Charge Nurse offers 3 years of patient care and advocacy within Medical-Surgical units. Highly skilled in charting, managing patient intake and discharges and monitoring care plans. Well-versed in promoting policies and protocols to achieve core measures. Demonstrated success in cultivating strong patient rapport to drive outcome goals.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Wake Medical Health and Hospital
Cary, North Carolina
02.2018 - 05.2021
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients on medical-surgical unit, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments, and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians and unit clerks.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Provided didactic and clinical instructions to orient new nurses and potential student nurses to achieve training outcomes.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes and treatment implementations.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Managed JP drains and chest, nasogastric, G and peg tubes.
- Managed various medications and treatments such as peritoneal dialysis, IV push, oral, subcutaneous, IV infusion and and intramuscular injections.
- Collaborated with various healthcare professionals to determine specific and individualized care plan based on goals and long-term health.
- Worked with patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, congestive heart failure (CHF), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), diabetes or sepsis to asses needs and determine best options for care.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Wake Medical Health and Hospital
Raleigh, North Carolina
01.2017 - 02.2018
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Promoted good oral and personal hygiene by aiding patients with shaving, bathing and teeth brushing.
- Oversaw and maintained patients' rooms, group living areas and nurse stations.
Medical Office Assistant
Alliance Medical Ministries
Raleigh, North Carolinal
12.2005 - 01.2013
- Adhered to strict HIPAA guidelines to protect patient privacy.
- Coordinated patient scheduling, check-in, check-out and payments for billing.
- Received, recorded and filed medical payments by check, cash and credit card.
- Directed patients to exam rooms, fielded questions and prepared for physician examinations.
- Restocked each medical room with adequate supply of medications and supplies in preparation for patients.
- Received and routed laboratory results to correct clinical staff members.
- Organized patient files and streamlined operations to improve efficiency.
- Assisted with routine checks and diagnostic testing by collecting and processing specimens.
- Documented vital signs and health history for patients in clinic and hospital environments.
- Called and faxed pharmacies to submit prescriptions and refills.
- Scheduled appointments, registered patients and distributed sample pharmaceuticals as prescribed.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina 08.2021 - Current
Associate of Science - Nursing
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina 08.2015 - 12.2017
Associate of Science - General Education
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina 08.2011 - 05.2015
Skills
Intravenous therapy
Patient and family advocacy
Family Education
Administering immunizations
Hospice and palliative care
Supply restocking
EMR / EHR
Collecting vitals
Care Plan Development
Foley catheters
Fluent in Spanish
Medication Administration
Timeline
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of North Carolina Wilmington
08.2021 - Current
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Wake Medical Health and Hospital
02.2018 - 05.2021
Certified Nursing Assistant
Wake Medical Health and Hospital
01.2017 - 02.2018
Associate of Science - Nursing
Wake Technical Community College
08.2015 - 12.2017
Associate of Science - General Education
Wake Technical Community College
08.2011 - 05.2015
Medical Office Assistant
Alliance Medical Ministries
12.2005 - 01.2013