- Gardening
- I enjoy helping others and giving back to the community
- Volunteering for community initiatives to give back to local communities and make a positive impact
MARIA LUISA AKIA
Fresno
Summary
Dedicated Registered Nurse with over 25 years of diverse healthcare experience, including teaching, supervision, and direct patient care. Recognized for reliability and ethical practice, demonstrating a calm demeanor and effective crisis intervention skills. Proven ability to foster positive relationships with patients, families, physicians, and medical professionals, enhancing collaborative care and patient outcomes. Committed to delivering high-quality healthcare while adapting to the evolving needs of the medical environment.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Emergency Department Educator
Veterans Affairs Central California Health Care System
12.2021 - Current
- Demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches in managing complex patient care.
- As a proficient registered nurse, perceives holistically to improve decision-making, modifying plans as needed based on experience.
Responsible for documented outcomes at the program and service level. - Leads and organizes care delivery to ensure continuity and peer accountability, including access to care and discharge planning.
- Uses advanced clinical knowledge to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluating outcomes.
- Functions as an expert in clinical practice and other assigned responsibilities.
- Systematically evaluates current practices and formulates outcomes for groups of patients or organizational processes.
- Guides, develops, and supports staff from a leadership perspective.
- Evaluates programs and services using professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and best practices.
- Acts as an educator within the nursing unit and department, including serving as an End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) Trainer.
Clinical Nurse - Emergency Department
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
07.2020 - 12.2021
- Patient Centered Focus: Performed all tasks with a strong emphasis on patient-centered care, ensuring each patient’s needs and preferences were prioritized.
- Clinical Competence: Treated a wide range of conditions, including strokes and coronary artery disease, utilizing strong clinical assessment skills to determine necessary care.
- Effective Communication: Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills, interacting positively with patients, families, and colleagues, and facilitating effective communication within interdisciplinary teams.
- Accurate Documentation: Maintained meticulous and accurate documentation of all nursing assessments, treatments, medications, discharge instructions, and follow-up care to ensure continuity and quality of patient care.
- Coordination and Collaboration: Coordinated with doctors, RNs, and ancillary staff to create and implement individualized care plans, enhancing patient outcomes and care delivery efficiency.
- Advanced Clinical Procedures: Performed advanced clinical procedures safely and effectively, reducing complications and ensuring timely recovery for patients.
- Quality Improvement: Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives, contributing to the enhancement of emergency department processes and patient outcomes.
- Emergency Response: Exhibited strong clinical decision-making skills and delivered skilled emergency response under high-pressure situations, ensuring timely and effective interventions for critically ill patients.
- Education and Advocacy: Educated patients, family members, and caregivers on patient care instructions, health conditions, prognosis, and treatment plans, promoting informed and empowered patient care.
- Safety and Compliance: Followed all personal and health data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches, maintaining a safe and clean environment by adhering to infection control protocols.
Clinical Nurse III - Emergency Department
Community Regional Medical Center
06.2013 - 07.2020
- Performed all tasks with a strong patient-centered focus, treating patients with conditions such as strokes, head traumas, comas, and intracranial hematomas, and accurately documenting all nursing assessments and care provided.
- Utilized advanced assessment skills to determine necessary patient care, evaluate patient care needs, prioritize treatments, monitor patients' conditions, and recommend further courses of treatment for improved outcomes.
- Coordinated with doctors, RNs, and ancillary staff to develop and implement care plans, acted as Charge Nurse and Patient Flow Coordinator to ensure smooth patient transfer, and maintained strong working relationships fostering a collaborative approach to patient care.
- Served as Clinical Supervisor, overseeing clinical processes and staff scheduling, mentored new nursing staff, and acted as a clinical resource for colleagues, contributing to a supportive learning environment within the unit.
- Responded promptly and effectively to patient emergencies, administered medications and treatments, and consistently promoted a culture of safety by adhering to infection control protocols, reducing potential risks.
- Educated patients and families on conditions and management strategies, participated in quality improvement initiatives, utilized evidence-based practice, and acted as a patient advocate ensuring their needs and concerns were addressed promptly.
Clinical Supervisor - 9 West Neuroscience
Community Regional Medical Center
08.2011 - 06.2013
- Leadership and Development: Assisted in the development, implementation, and evaluation of unit goals, objectives, and standards of care, and supported the unit manager in performance improvement and safety programs, administrative, and HR duties involving staff monitoring and hiring processes.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensured the unit remained survey-ready and compliant with regulatory standards by conducting regular audits of clinical records and procedures, and maintained adherence to healthcare regulations through continuous education and policy updates.
- Quality Patient Care: Planned staff assignments to ensure continuity of quality patient care, considering factors such as patient census, satisfaction, cost-effectiveness, and budget compliance; Responded to crisis situations with a calm and professional approach.
- Collaboration and Coordination: Fostered a collaborative approach to patient care by maintaining strong working relationships with physicians, interdisciplinary teams, and ancillary staff, coordinating care for clients with complex needs, and ensuring seamless transitions between levels of care.
- Mentorship and Supervision: Mentored junior staff members, provided supervision and training for new hires and therapists in training, and served as a liaison between clinical staff and administration to address concerns and optimize workflows, promoting a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
- Continuous Improvement: Participated in quality improvement initiatives, implemented evidence-based practices and treatment plans to enhance patient outcomes, streamlined documentation processes for efficiency, and responded to patient complaints to maintain clinic reputation and patient satisfaction.
Clinical Nurse II
Community Regional Medical Center
08.2009 - 08.2011
- Provided primary care, assessment, and evaluation of neurologically compromised patients such as those with strokes, seizures, brain trauma, brain mass, and spinal-cord injuries, utilizing advanced assessment skills to identify early deterioration and administer appropriate treatments.
- Maintained strong working relationships with physicians and ancillary staff, collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient outcomes, and coordinated seamless transitions between levels of care through effective communication with multidisciplinary team members.
- Educated patients and families to increase their understanding of conditions and management strategies, promoting open communication channels for effective collaboration in treatment plans and enhancing patient satisfaction through compassionate, culturally competent care.
- Acted as a clinical resource for colleagues, mentoring new nursing staff to foster professional growth and team building within the unit, and providing clinical oversight and support by monitoring staff performance and giving feedback.
- Responded promptly and correctly to patient emergencies, implemented infection control protocols to maintain a safe and sterile environment, and promoted a culture of safety by reporting potential hazards and adhering to regulatory standards for patient confidentiality and record-keeping.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives, stayed current with health system initiatives and evidence-based practices, and conducted research to integrate evidence-based approaches, improving care quality and patient outcomes through ongoing professional development and process enhancements.
Registered Nurse
North End Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
09.2006 - 07.2009
- Clinical Leadership and Supervision: Conducted screening, diagnostic treatment, rehabilitative, and supportive services as the senior nurse on a primary health care team. Supervised staff, assisted in recruiting, hiring, and managing the employee review process, and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Comprehensive Patient Care: Provided holistic nursing care, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Assisted patients with healing and recovery after surgery, provided palliative care, and offered behavioral/emotional support for those with dementia and Alzheimer's.
- Critical Thinking and Assessment: Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients' acuity levels. Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, administered medications safely, and monitored for side effects or adverse reactions.
- Collaboration and Coordination: Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex patients. Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services, and participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to present clinical data.
- Education and Mentorship: Assisted in training and mentoring new nursing staff members and served as a preceptor for nursing students during clinical rotations. Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions, wound management, discharge plans, and disease management.
- Quality Improvement and Safety: Promoted a culture of safety by adhering to strict infection control protocols, implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, and conducted routine audits for compliance. Participated in quality improvement initiatives, streamlined medication administration processes, and used data to optimize patient outcomes and service quality.
Clinical Instructor for Nursing
Pines City Colleges
03.2005 - 08.2006
- Safety and Compliance: Fostered a culture of safety within the learning environment by emphasizing proper use of equipment, infection control measures, and patient privacy guidelines. Ensured compliance with state and federal regulations in clinical instruction.
- Student Assessment and Feedback: Conducted thorough evaluations of student progress through written exams, skill demonstrations, and clinical rotations. Provided immediate and constructive feedback to students individually and in groups to enhance their performance.
- Clinical Instruction and Demonstration: Instructed students on head-to-toe assessments, medical emergencies, and essential nursing skills, including medication administration and dressing changes. Developed comprehensive lesson plans covering essential clinical skills and procedures.
- Mentorship and Support: Supervised and mentored nursing students during clinical rotations, providing behavioral, emotional, and academic support. Offered one-on-one tutoring and facilitated communication between students and clinical preceptors to address concerns.
- Curriculum Development and Innovation: Participated in curriculum development and updated course materials regularly to reflect current best practices. Implemented new educational techniques and instructional aids, such as simulation scenarios and online learning platforms, to enhance student comprehension.
- Professional Development and Collaboration: Engaged in ongoing professional development to stay current on nursing education trends. Collaborated with fellow instructors, hospital administrators, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure consistency in teaching methods, secure clinical sites, and improve student preparedness and engagement.
Training Coordinator
MMS Development Training Center Corporation
10.2000 - 03.2005
- Training Development and Evaluation: Kept accurate records of training participation, worked with managers to create customized plans, and assessed training effectiveness.
- Instructional Design and Delivery: Created engaging materials and delivered diverse teaching methods to improve employee performance.
- Logistics Coordination and Streamlining: Organized training logistics, scheduled facilities, managed registrations, and improved onboarding processes.
- Continuous Learning and Mentorship: Encouraged continuous learning, provided coaching and mentoring, and developed comprehensive training programs.
- Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Built strong relationships with stakeholders and led teams to address organizational challenges.
- Innovative Approaches and Technology Integration: Implemented blended learning, adapted training for remote environments, and used technologies like AR/VR to enhance training effectiveness.
Clinic Nurse
Mapagu Family Clinic
02.1999 - 09.2000
- Patient Education and Support: Educated patients and families on health conditions and treatments. Provided emotional support to enhance patient well-being.
- Accurate Documentation and Compliance: Kept detailed patient records, ensuring regulatory compliance and HIPAA adherence.
- Clinical Assessment and Care: Assessed patients, monitored vital signs, administered medications, and supported physicians during procedures.
- Collaboration and Comprehensive Care: Worked with interdisciplinary teams to create care plans and organized referrals for specialized care.
- Infection Control and Safety: Maintained a safe clinical environment through rigorous infection control and ongoing training.
- Efficiency and Improvement: Streamlined clinic operations, managed inventory, reduced wait times, and gathered feedback for continuous improvement. Developed customized care plans for better patient recovery.
Clinic Nurse
Salango Medical Clinic
01.1995 - 12.1997
- Educated patients, families, and caregivers on conditions, treatments, and preventive health measures.
- Maintained detailed patient records and ensured compliance with HIPAA and regulatory requirements.
- Coordinated referrals to specialists and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive care.
- Monitored vital signs and assessed patients regularly, adjusting care plans as needed.
- Administered medications and provided wound care, ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
- Fostered strong relationships with patients and families, offering emotional support and improving satisfaction.
- Assisted physicians during examinations and procedures, and provided accurate documentation of care.
- Enhanced clinic efficiency by managing inventory, streamlining processes, and reducing patient wait times.
- Implemented infection control measures and promoted a safe, sanitary clinical environment.
- Engaged in professional development and participated in quality improvement initiatives for better patient outcomes.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Pines City Colleges
03.1994
Skills
- Strong clinical judgment
- Emergency department expertise
- Trauma care experience
- Neurology/Neurosurgery experience
- Acute care expertise
- Bi-lingual in English and Tagalog
- Certified in ACLS and BLS
- Effective communication
- Patient and family advocate
- Subject matter expertise
- Critical thinking
- Documentation and reporting
Affiliations
The Association for Nursing Professional Development
Emergency Nurses Association
Certification
- Member: Emergency Nurses Association
- Trauma Nursing Core Course Provider
- ACLS Provider
- PALS Provider
- NRP Provider
- BLS Provider
Interests
Timeline
Emergency Department Educator
Veterans Affairs Central California Health Care System
12.2021 - Current
Clinical Nurse - Emergency Department
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
07.2020 - 12.2021
Clinical Nurse III - Emergency Department
Community Regional Medical Center
06.2013 - 07.2020
Clinical Supervisor - 9 West Neuroscience
Community Regional Medical Center
08.2011 - 06.2013
Clinical Nurse II
Community Regional Medical Center
08.2009 - 08.2011
Registered Nurse
North End Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
09.2006 - 07.2009
Clinical Instructor for Nursing
Pines City Colleges
03.2005 - 08.2006
Training Coordinator
MMS Development Training Center Corporation
10.2000 - 03.2005
Clinic Nurse
Mapagu Family Clinic
02.1999 - 09.2000
Clinic Nurse
Salango Medical Clinic
01.1995 - 12.1997
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Pines City Colleges
Daisy Awardee for Extraordinary Nurses
Fluent in Tagalog and other Filipino local dialects
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