Caroline Zuehl
San Antonio,TX
Summary
ICU nurse with over ten years of experience in high-acuity patient management, currently pursuing a doctorate in anesthesia nursing. Specialized in advanced airway management and invasive monitoring, with a strong track record in leading quality improvement initiatives. Actively involved in hospital committees to enhance patient safety and mentor new nursing staff.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Manager, Charge/Staff RN
Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center
Aurora, USA
12.2025 - Current
- Deliver high‑acuity critical care to a diverse veteran population with complex medical and surgical conditions including ARDS, septic shock, acute respiratory failure, GI hemorrhage, acute kidney and liver failure, and multi‑organ dysfunction requiring advanced hemodynamic and ventilatory support.
- Manage post‑operative cardiothoracic and surgical patients recovering from CABG, valve repair/replacement, thoracic procedures, vascular surgery, neurosurgical interventions, and major abdominal operations, including those requiring chest tubes, temporary pacing wires, and invasive monitoring.
- Provide advanced cardiac and medical ICU management for patients with decompensated heart failure, cardiogenic shock, acute coronary syndromes, high‑risk arrhythmias, and post‑operative hemodynamic instability requiring vasoactive infusions, antiarrhythmics, and continuous cardiac monitoring.
- Perform advanced airway and ventilator management including RSI, PRVC/APRV/BiLevel modes, spontaneous breathing trials, extubation readiness assessments, and prone positioning for severe hypoxemia.
- Administer and titrate vasoactive agents (norepinephrine, vasopressin, epinephrine, phenylephrine), sedation/analgesia (propofol, dexmedetomidine, fentanyl), and manage CRRT and intermittent hemodialysis for renal and hemodynamic support.
- Interpret invasive hemodynamic data from arterial lines, central venous catheters, and telemetry to guide fluid resuscitation, vasopressor adjustments, and ventilator optimization in real time for critically unstable patients.
- Assistant Manager, Charge/Staff RN, Aurora, CO-Mixed Medical/Surgical/Cardiothoracic ICU
RN
Audie Murphy VA Hospital
San Antonio, USA
07.2020 - 12.2025
- Deliver advanced, multidisciplinary care to critically ill patients with multi-system failure including ARDS, septic shock, DKA, GI hemorrhage, acute renal and hepatic failure, cardiogenic shock, and complex electrolyte/acid-base imbalances (e.g., hyperkalemia, lactic acidosis, mixed respiratory/metabolic disturbances).
- Manage patients with acute coronary syndromes, post-cardiac arrest syndrome, decompensated heart failure, and life-threatening arrhythmias requiring synchronized cardioversion, transvenous pacing, and antiarrhythmic infusions.
- Execute advanced airway protocols including RSI, ventilator management (PRVC, APRV, BiLevel), extubation readiness, prone positioning, and neuromuscular blockade for refractory hypoxemia in COVID-19 ARDS.
- Administer and titrate vasoactive infusions (norepinephrine, vasopressin, epinephrine, phenylephrine, milrinone), continuous sedation/analgesia (propofol, dexmedetomidine, fentanyl), and manage CRRT and intermittent hemodialysis for hemodynamic and renal support.
- Interpret invasive hemodynamic data from arterial lines, CVP catheters, and telemetry to guide fluid resuscitation, vasopressor therapy, and ventilator adjustments in real time.
- Respond to high-acuity emergencies including status epilepticus, acute stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, alcohol withdrawal delirium, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and toxic ingestions (e.g., calcium channel blocker overdose, lithium toxicity) using ACLS protocols and rapid clinical decision-making.
- Delivered unit-wide education on the Malignant Hyperthermia Protocol (2025), enhancing perioperative emergency preparedness and compliance with national anesthesia safety standards.
- Medical/Cardiac ICU & Rapid Response Team
RN
James A. Haley VA Hospital
Tampa, USA
08.2017 - 07.2020
- Delivered high-acuity care across MICU, SICU, CVICU, and step-down units, adapting quickly to diverse patient populations and unit protocols.
- Managed critically ill patients with post-CABG recovery, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, ARDS, acute renal failure, and psychiatric emergencies requiring intensive monitoring.
- Provided comprehensive cardiac ICU care including management of patients with cardiogenic shock, post-operative valve replacements, and advanced arrhythmias requiring antiarrhythmic infusions and pacemaker support.
- Administered and titrated paralytics, sedatives, and vasoactive medications; managed patients on mechanical ventilation and CRRT.
- Applied advanced hemodynamic monitoring techniques including interpretation of arterial lines, central venous pressure, and pulmonary artery catheter data to guide clinical decision-making.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to stabilize patients in rapid deterioration, demonstrating strong psychomotor skills and critical thinking under pressure.
- Critical Care Resource Team
RN
Florida Hospital Tampa
Tampa, USA
10.2015 - 07.2017
- Delivered specialized care to patients with complex neurological conditions including traumatic brain injury (TBI), subarachnoid hemorrhage, craniotomies, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and myasthenia gravis.
- Managed intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, external ventricular drains (EVDs), and lumbar drainage systems.
- Performed frequent neuro assessments, responded to acute neurological changes, and collaborated with neurology and neurosurgery teams for emergent interventions.
- Supported ventilator-dependent neuro patients and coordinated care for those with altered mental status or seizure activity.
- Neuroscience ICU
ICU RN
Methodist Hospital Bush Renner Campus
Richardson, USA
03.2014 - 10.2015
- Provided critical care to post-cardiac arrest patients and those recovering from CABG, valve replacements, and other major cardiac surgeries.
- Managed intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP), ventilators, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) to support hemodynamically unstable patients.
- Administered vasoactive infusions and interpreted invasive hemodynamic data to inform critical treatment decisions in unstable patients.
- Assisted with bedside procedures, including esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and tracheostomy, to facilitate timely interventions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing
St. Louis, MissouriAssociate Degree - Nursing
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TXAffiliations
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), Attended mid-assembly in Washington DC 2026
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- Nurses Organization of Veteran Affairs (NOVA)
- Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program
Certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), 04/30/27
- Basic Life Support (BLS), 04/30/27
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), 01/31/27
- Advanced Airway Management Certification
- Ultrasound Guidance Training
- CCRN, 09/30/28
- CMC, 09/30/28
- TNCC, 01/31/26
- Texas RN License, 732485, 04/30/27
Leadership Presentations
- Sepsis Bundle Compliance Initiative (2026)
- Code Blue Review Committee (2026)
- Malignant Hyperthermia Protocol – Audie Murphy VA (2025)
- ICU Documentation & Pain Management Audits (2022)
- COVID Prone Pillow Redesign Project (2021)
- EZ IO Access Protocol – Audie Murphy VA (2021)
- Founder, Jump Start RN – New Grad Mentorship Program (2020)
- HPV Awareness – Maxwell-Gunter AFB (2006)
Continuing Education
- Out-of-OR Airway Management
- Disaster management
- Advanced Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- CRRT (Initial & Refresher Courses)
- Stroke & NIH Scale Use
- Trauma Symposium – Nebraska Medical Center
- Hematologic Pharmacology for STEMI
- Malignant Hyperthermia
- Ultrasound Guidance/IV Access
Languages
English
Professional
F
Professional
Swahili
Professional
Accomplishments
- Daisy Award 2025
Timeline
Assistant Manager, Charge/Staff RN
Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center
12.2025 - Current
RN
Audie Murphy VA Hospital
07.2020 - 12.2025
RN
James A. Haley VA Hospital
08.2017 - 07.2020
RN
Florida Hospital Tampa
10.2015 - 07.2017
ICU RN
Methodist Hospital Bush Renner Campus
03.2014 - 10.2015
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Associate Degree - Nursing
Angelo State University