Maria J Sanchez

In this unit, I encompassed many different roles. I was known as a Rover; my job was to start in Pre-op, getting patients ready for surgery, or follow our Anesthesia Nerve Block team and help set up patients for the different nerve blocks. I then either moved to the PACU to help recover patients, or moved to our Rapid Recovery unit, where I helped care for our post-op patients who would stay overnight. My skillset included as followed:

• Monitored patient vital signs during post-anesthesia recovery.
• Administered medications as per physician orders and protocols.
• Educated patients and families on post-operative care instructions.
• Assisted in managing pain control strategies for recovering patients.
• Maintained accurate and timely patient documentation in electronic systems.
• Provided emotional support to patients in recovery from anesthesia.
• Administered medications to manage progression off anesthesia medications, deal with side effects and promote recovery.
• Helped patients regain independence with clear recovery goals and guidance.
• Managed emergency situations such as airway obstruction, cardiac arrest and shock.
• Conducted pre-op assessment of patients prior to surgery or procedure.
• Monitored intravenous infusion pumps, ensuring proper dosage of medication.
• Initiated IV access when needed for blood draws or administration of fluids and medications.
• Assisted in the transfer of critically ill patients from operating room to PACU and ICU units.
• Utilized effective communication skills to educate patients and family members on side effects from both surgery and anesthesia.

In this CVICU unit, we cared for open-heart transplants, lung transplants, PTEs, and general multiple-organ failure patients in the critical care setting. The skill sets included the following:

• Monitored patient vital signs in a fast-paced critical care environment.
• Administered medications and treatments per physician orders and protocols.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop patient care plans.
• Inserted and managed intravenous lines for medication administration.
• Assisted in cardiac monitoring using advanced telemetry systems.
• Responded to emergencies with rapid assessment and intervention skills.
• Provided bedside care to critically ill patients in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit.
• Conducted daily rounds with attending physician to discuss treatment plans for each patient.
• Assessed and monitored patient conditions, including vital signs, lab results, and symptoms.
• Assisted with insertion of ventilators, tracheostomy tubes, chest tubes, Swan Ganz catheters.
• Utilized evidence based guidelines for best practice management of cardiac arrhythmias.
• Prepared equipment for invasive procedures such as central line insertions, arterial line insertions, pacemaker insertions and changes.
• Identified changes in a patient's condition promptly and reported them to the physician on call.
• Performed advanced cardiac life support procedures such as chest compressions, endotracheal intubation, defibrillation, pacing and cardioversion.
• Provided emotional support and reassurance to family members during critical illness or end-of-life situations.
• Supervised cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms and oxygen delivery devices.
• Detected emerging problems by monitoring patients' behavior, vital signs and fluid intake and output.
• Identified abnormal and critical respiratory patterns through direct pulmonary assessments.

During this assignment, I floated among the different ICUs at Banner Medical Center in Phoenix and took care of multiple critical care patients in the ICU setting. Maintained quality care in a fast-paced environment, my skillset included:

• Monitored patient vital signs and provided critical care interventions.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes.
• Responded to emergencies with swift, appropriate nursing actions for patient safety.
• Ensured compliance with all regulatory standards related to nursing practice within ICU setting.
• Utilized critical thinking skills to assess complex situations and make appropriate decisions in emergency situations.
• Assessed patients for changes in condition and reported any abnormalities to the physician.
• Responded quickly to code blue calls providing advanced life support measures as necessary.
• Provided direct patient care, including wound dressing, administering medications, catheterization, and IV therapy.
• Monitored vital signs and performed other diagnostic tests as required.
• Managed PA catheters and arterials, vasoactive drug administration and titration, thrombolytic therapy, dysrhythmia interpretation, and chest tube management.
• Treated patients with broad range of acute, life-threatening diagnoses.
• Operated and monitored life support systems and medical devices specific to the critical care setting.
• Managed the administration of blood products and monitored patients for adverse reactions.
• Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
• Prepared medical equipment and tools to aid physician during examination and treatment of patients.

2nd Travel Assignment:

• Care of the heart recovery patient post-op day 1.
• Management and titration of multiple cardiovascular medications.
• Care of multisystem organ failure patients, ARDS, and any surgical complications.
• Recovery of patients going through detox from alcohol withdrawal,
• Care of patients with suicide ideation.
• Assisted in cardiac monitoring using advanced telemetry systems.
• Inserted and managed intravenous lines for medication administration.
• Prepared equipment for invasive procedures such as central line insertions, arterial line insertions, pacemaker insertions and changes.
• Managed emergency situations quickly and effectively utilizing evidence based practices.

1st travel assignment, hired to work for their CVICU, but also helped in their medical ICU. my skillset involved:

• Recovering patients from post-heart transplant surgeries.
• Working with patients awaiting heart transplants and managing devices such as balloon pumps and VADs.
• treatment of patients having severe allergic reactions.
• Monitored patient vital signs in a fast-paced critical care environment.
• Assessed and monitored patient conditions, including vital signs, lab results, and symptoms.
• Assisted with insertion of ventilators, tracheostomy tubes, chest tubes, Swan Ganz catheters.
• Supervised cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms and oxygen delivery devices.
• Detected emerging problems by monitoring patients' behavior, vital signs and fluid intake and output.
• Identified abnormal and critical respiratory patterns through direct pulmonary assessments.

• Trained to work in their CVICU, with care of the pre and post op CABG. As well as full recovery day one of heart surgery.
• Trained to recover TAVRs, AVR repairs, post-stent, and balloon patients.
• Use of IABP, care of vented patients.
• Care of different types of lung surgeries (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, VATs procedure), chest tube management, work with multiple cardiovascular medications, and pressure support medications such as levophed, epinephrine, vasopressin, dopamine, dobutamine, trained also in the titration of nitroglycerin, cardizem, amiodarone, as well as sedation medications such as propofol, fentanyl, and versed.
• Work with multiple cardiovascular medications and pressure support medications, such as levophed, epinephrine, vasopressin, dopamine, dobutamine; trained also in the titration of nitroglycerin, cardizem, amiodarone, as well as sedation medications, such as propofol, fentanyl, and versed.
• Aside from the care of cardiovascular patients, I am also trained to care for medical ICU patients, and the care of patients with ARDS, septic shock, and multisystem organ failure.

• Care of patients with multiple chronic diagnoses including COPD, asthma, diabetes, ESRD, and even care of ETOH patients going through delirium tremors.
• Care of patients coming in with a STEMI, atrial fibrillation with a rapid rate, atrial flutter, heart blocks, post-pacemaker insertion, pulmonary embolism, mitral valve repairs, carotid stenosis, and DVT.
• Blood administration to the GI bleed patient, and care for the post-endoscopy and colonoscopy patient.
• I am proficient in titrating cardiac drips such as Cardizem, dopamine, amiodarone, dobutamine, and heparin.
• Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, treatments, medications, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
• Working as part of a team to ensure proper care of body mechanics and safety of patients, while maintaining the respect and dignity of patients
• Assisted in developing individualized care plans for cardiac patients.
• Trained new nursing staff on protocols and best practices in cardiac care as Charge Nurse.