Andy Donaldson

Delivered specialized post-anesthesia care to patients recovering from surgical procedures, vigilantly monitoring vital signs, pain levels, and potential complications to ensure safe recovery.

Collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and healthcare teams to execute tailored care plans, maintaining patient stability in the critical post-operative phase.

Swiftly identified and managed emergent conditions, such as respiratory distress or hemodynamic instability, applying advanced clinical expertise in high-pressure environments.

Educated patients and families on post-operative care instructions, facilitating smooth transitions to discharge or other units.
Upheld strict adherence to hospital protocols, safety standards, and infection control measures to optimize patient outcomes in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit.

• Delivered Comprehensive Care in Florida’s CORE Program: Provided critical medical and behavioral health interventions to homeless and opioid-addicted individuals, utilizing evidence-based practices to address substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions.
• Conducted Street-Based Health Assessments: Performed rapid health screenings and triage in non-traditional settings, identifying acute medical needs and facilitating access to care for transient and marginalized populations.
• Stabilized Critically Ill Patients for MAT: Initiated Advanced Life Support (ALS) interventions to critically ill patients to facilitate safe field induction of medication-assisted therapy (MAT).
• Leveraged dual credentials as a sole provider: As the team’s only dual-credentialed Registered Nurse and Paramedic, seamlessly transitioning between roles to ensure comprehensive, high-acuity care. Enabled real-time decision-making and optimized point-of-care treatment by bridging prehospital and clinical best practices.

• Successfully reduced expenses and consolidated services, resulting in savings of several hundred thousand dollars, ensuring the longevity and sustainability of our services
• Fostered stronger connections and restored relationships with local hospitals by maintaining open dialogues and transparency with Chief Medical Officers, Vice Presidents, Presidents, and Chief Operating Officers of area healthcare facilities
• Reduced neonatal emergency response time by 75%, achieving a response time of 15 minutes below the expected national standard
• Implemented carrying and administering whole blood for each ShandsCair aircraft system-wide, becoming one of the first in Florida to do so. Assisted other universities and agencies such as HCA Nashville and Okaloosa County EMS, in replicating the model
• Initiated animal therapy and mental health services for staff, extending these services to local special needs patients
• Spearheaded new protocols for in-flight care, significantly improving patient outcomes, including the delivery of nitric oxide during COVID-19
• Implemented alternate staffing models while maintaining exceptional care and achieving fiscal responsibility
• Introduced advanced tracking systems for critical transports, elevating care precision and enabling real-time, twenty-four-hour monitoring of blood and essential medication temperatures

• Instructed Special Forces Groups' specialized teams in advanced battlefield medicine, boosting potential survival rates and readiness
• Demonstrated the intricacies of prolonged casualty care in austere environments, mimicking deployment conditions
• Taught advanced self-care techniques typically reserved for highly trained providers, equipping individuals to manage their own medical needs if separated from friendly forces
• Debriefed and offered suggestions to members of the Office of Special Warfare (OSW) regarding immediate care for the warfighter

• Chosen to be part of a specialized team of twelve, selected by the Administration for exceptional skill, adaptability, and clinical prowess, out of several hundred candidates
• Provided critical care during air medical transport, ensuring patient stability and safety
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes and streamline operations, specializing in Balloon pump, ECMO, and Impella transports
• Flew fixed Rotor Wing missions nationwide and responded to various natural disasters, including Hurricane Maria, Nate, Irma, and Harvey
• Analyzed patient data to optimize care protocols aboard air transports
• Supported continuous education initiatives for peers, enhancing team expertise in emergency care, while also spearheading the establishment of new rotor wing bases

• Administered emergency medical care, stabilizing patients and ensuring prompt hospital admission for further treatment
• Meticulously managed emergency protocols to ensure rapid patient care
• Provided critical support in high-stress situations, ensuring team cohesion
• Acted as a Nurse Preceptor, providing training and mentorship to new personnel
• Entrusted with the oversight and management of all trauma-receiving bays

• Provided critical care during air medical transport, enhancing patient outcomes with advanced skills
• Participated in clinical trials including PAMPER (Pre-Hospital Plasma), PRBC (Blood administration), and Post Arrest Hypothermia Protocols alongside various teaching universities
• Collaborated with medical teams to ensure safe and efficient patient transfers, improving response times
• Extensive training with specialty Cardiac and Neurological units as applied to Aviation
• Contributed to protocols enabling aggressive care, including the reduction of brain swelling through the removal of cerebrospinal fluid in-flight, ensuring the maintenance of adequate and survivable brain chemistry and pressures
• Conducted thorough patient assessments and administered emergency treatments, ensuring high survival rates
• Trained new flight nurses, fostering a supportive learning environment and maintaining high standards of care
• Break in service from May 2010 to 2012 resulted from a family fatality requiring my return to Florida

• PACU Charge Nurse 2010 to 2012: All further time was spent at the Bedside in Trauma Intensive Care and the Emergency Department
• Contributed to the procurement process and reduced medical goods and durable equipment costs. Discontinued patient-controlled analgesia in the PACU, we effectively minimized instances of post-care respiratory arrest, eliminating the risk of double medication and reducing post-discharge respiratory arrest rates on the medical floor. This approach not only enhanced patient safety but also contributed to cost savings
• Led PACU unit, ensuring patient safety and care quality; reduced recovery time through efficient protocols
• Collaborated with GE to integrate the STOP-GAP questionnaire into the patient intake software system, effectively identifying individuals with underlying breathing issues such as undiagnosed Sleep Apnea
• Eliminated wooden CPR boards and radiology adjuncts that posed a high degree of risk for postoperative infection/complication
• Trained and mentored new nurses, fostering a collaborative and skilled team environment within the Trauma ICU, PACU, and the Emergency Department
• Delivered exceptional critical care to patients through the application of protocols and extensive medical knowledge

• Managed emergency scenes with precision, ensuring optimal deployment of resources
• Led a team in critical rescue operations with Advanced Life Support Intervention for extended periods without immediate backup
• Hand-selected by the Public Safety Director to initiate the SWAT-Paramedic collaboration in partnership with the Escambia County Sheriff's Department
• Served as the assistant team leader of the SWAT-Paramedic Program, concurrently fulfilling roles as Paramedic, Fire Officer, and U.S.A.R. team member within Escambia County Public Safety
• Cultivated a supportive team environment that improved staff morale and performance

• Administered emergency medical care, stabilizing patients and ensuring prompt hospital admission for further treatment
• Meticulously managed emergency protocols to ensure rapid patient care

• Managed detailed incident reports to ensure accuracy and compliance in high-pressure situations
• Ensured precise execution of compliance protocols in emergency situations
• Coordinated with the team to manage crisis situations effectively and efficiently
• Administered life-saving techniques with precision, enhancing survival rates
• Responsible for suppression of residential and commercial fires, disentanglement and extrication, basic medical care consistent with being an EMT, and Hazardous materials response

• Collaborated with physicians to perform emergency procedures, ensuring timely and effective care
• Provided critical care to armed forces personnel, stabilizing patients for transport to advanced facilities
• Prepared injured and sick individuals for transfer, improving patient outcomes and response times

• Managed critical ER operations, enhancing patient care efficiency at Sacred Heart Hospital in the scope as an ER Tech and then Emergency Medical Technician
• Provided essential support in high-stress situations, ensuring optimal team performance
• Maintained meticulous records, ensuring accuracy and compliance in fast-paced ER