Carolyn M. Novak
Heart & Vascular Institute, Lancaster General Hospital
Lancaster,PA
1
Certification
21
years of professional experience
Registered Nurse with extensive acute-care experience in cardiology, telemetry, cardiac arrhythmia, heart and vascular services, home health, and interventional radiology. Experienced in caring for complex cardiac and medical-surgical patients, procedural preparation and recovery, patient education, medication administration, discharge planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Recognized for strong clinical judgment, patient advocacy, communication, and leadership.
Work History
Interventional Radiology Unit
8 Years 5 Months- Provide nursing care and patient education for interventional procedures including peripheral angiography, fistulagrams, Mediport and PermCath placement, TheraSphere and Y-90 procedures, nephroureteral tube placement/replacement, and CT-guided biopsies.
- Provide procedural preparation, recovery, monitoring, and discharge education; support patients receiving sedation for procedures.
- Perform peripheral IV placement and coordinate care with physicians and multidisciplinary procedural teams.
Cath Lab Holding Area
4 Months- Prepared patients for cardiac catheterization and non-invasive cardiac procedures, ensuring comfort and readiness for electrophysiology procedures.
- Delivered comprehensive pre- and post-procedure nursing care, including monitoring, education, and tailored discharge instructions.
Cardiac Arrhythmia Unit, Senior Staff Nurse
2 Years 6 Months- Provided comprehensive care for complex cardiac patients in an acute-care setting, including rhythm disorders, pacemakers/defibrillators, post-MI patients, stroke, heart failure, cardiac arrest, pulmonary embolism/deep vein thrombosis, and patients undergoing cardiac procedures.
- Served in leadership and unit-support roles, including shift facilitator and participation in unit committees.
- Precepted RNs and supported staff education; served as a Delirium Unit Champion and Falls Unit Champion.
- Performed medication administration, discharge planning, patient education, clinical assessment, critical thinking, and electronic documentation.
Home Health Nurse
9 Months- Provided skilled home health nursing care, including PICC care, dressing changes, laboratory draws, and management of vascular access devices.
- Provided wound care, including wound VAC placement/removal, Unna boot care, and treatment of pressure ulcers and stasis ulcers.
- Educated patients and caregivers on treatment plans, medications, wound care, and ongoing self-management.
Cardiac Arrhythmia Unit, Senior Staff Nurse
8 Years 7 Months- Provided care for 4–6 patients with complex cardiac and medical conditions, including dysrhythmias, bi-ventricular pacemakers/defibrillators, stroke, post-MI care, non-invasive cardiac testing, vascular surgery, electrophysiology studies/ablations, pulmonary vein isolation, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, dialysis, GI bleeding, blood transfusions, PE/DVT, cardiac catheterization, angioplasty/stent placement, and pre-open-heart-surgery care.
- Served as shift facilitator; chaired the CPC unit committee for three years and co-chaired the PCC for two years.
- Precepted RNs and participated in physician rounds and patient/family education.
- Managed medication administration, discharge planning, clinical assessment, critical thinking, and electronic documentation.
Nursing Extern
2 Months- Completed a nursing externship supporting patient care and clinical learning within the hospital setting.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Lancaster Campus
Registered Nurse Program
Skills
Cardiac & Telemetry Nursing
Interventional Radiology
Electrophysiology Procedures
Patient Education & Discharge Planning
PICC & Midline Care
Peripheral IV Placement
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Cardiac Arrhythmia Management
Cardiac Catheterization
Procedural Sedation Support
Medication Administration
Wound Care & Wound VAC
Critical Thinking
Electronic Health Record Documentation
Certification
CPR / ACLS — Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Expires May 2027, PALS- Expires January 2026
Section name
References available upon request
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Heart Walk — Team Organizer (3 years); Participant (5 years), Boy Scout Leader (1994–2008), Girl Scout Leader (1996–2004)
Timeline
Cath Lab Holding Area
Heart & Vascular Unit, Lancaster General Hospital
12.2018 - 04.2019Read More
Interventional Radiology Unit
Heart & Vascular Institute, Lancaster General Hospital
04.2018 - CurrentRead More
Cardiac Arrhythmia Unit, Senior Staff Nurse
Lancaster General Hospital
06.2016 - 12.2018Read More
Home Health Nurse
Affilia
08.2015 - 05.2016Read More
Cardiac Arrhythmia Unit, Senior Staff Nurse
Lancaster General Hospital
01.2007 - 08.2015Read More
Nursing Extern
Lancaster General Hospital
06.2005 - 08.2005Read More
Lancaster Institute for Health Education
Registered Nurse Program
Read More
Eastern Mennonite University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Read More