Dana Schalk
Cumming,Georgia
Summary
Professional in critical care nursing with substantial experience in cardiovascular and medical intensive care units. Demonstrates strong commitment to patient care, clinical expertise in cardiovascular and intensive care, and effective use of advanced medical technology. Known for collaborative approach, adaptability, and reliability in dynamic healthcare environments. Skilled in patient assessment, emergency response, and interdisciplinary teamwork.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN, CVICU
Emory University Hospital
11.2023 - Current
- Provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients in a Magnet recognized, silver-level Beacon Award 36-bed post-surgery cardiac ICU.
- Tend to postoperative cardiothoracic patients including heart and lung transplant, CABG, valve repair/replacement, thoracic/abdominal aortic aneurysm/dissection repair, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, LVAD/RVAD placement, congenital heart procedures.
- Titrate medications according to provider orders and protocol including norepinephrine, epinephrine, vasopressin, amiodarone, dobutamine, nicardipine, espoprostenol, insulin and heparin, as well as sedative-analgesic/paralytic medications including fentanyl, propofol, dexmedetomidine, ketamine, midazolam, hydramorphone and cisatracurium.
- Manage the care of patients with complex devices including ECMO, LVAD, RVAD, Impella, IABP, CRRT, central lines, epidurals, lumbar drains, mechanical ventilation, chest tubes, cEEG, CCO monitors, and temporary pacing with epicaridal pacing wires.
- Admit patients directly from the operating room, rapid response and code blue patients, and emergent admissions from outside hospitals for patients requiring a higher level of cardiac care.
- Monitors patients vitals and hemodynamics through Swan-Ganz pulmonary artery catheters and arterial lines.
- Collaborates with members of the interdisciplinary team including critical care advanced practice providers, surgical residents, fellows and attendings, respiratory therapists, and unit management.
RN, MICU
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
10.2021 - 10.2023
- Handled ventilator support, feeding tubes and central lines.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures, ensuring accurate treatment administration and timely patient recovery.
- Demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills while managing complex clinical situations involving multiple organ systems failures in critically ill patients.
- Managed ventilator settings according to physician orders, significantly reducing instances of respiratory distress among critically ill patients.
- Mentored new nursing staff, facilitating smooth integration into the ICU unit and promoting a supportive workplace culture.
RN, Medical-Surgical
Providence Holy Family Hospital
04.2021 - 09.2021
- Monitored vital signs, adequacy of ventilation, and levels of consciousness and pain
- Post-mortem care
- Care of COVID-19 patients, including proning
- Treated patients suffering from chronic and acute medical concerns, including asthma, seizure disorders and pneumonia
- Assessed patients in active drug and alcohol withdrawal and provided interventions to manage physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms
- Treated patients using pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities to address various disorders, diseases, and injuries
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, ID12.2021
Associate of Arts - Nursing
Spokane Community College
Spokane, WA03.2021
Skills
- Calm and level-headed under duress
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Ventilator management
- Telemetry monitoring
- Wound care management
- Precept/mentor new grad and new-to-ICU nurses
Certification
- Licensed Registered Nurse, Georgia, RN306962, 01/31/2026
- RQI ACLS/BLS/CPR, American Heart Association, 12/31/2024
- PALS, American Heart Association, 08/31/2025
- NIHSS, 06/13/2025
Activities
- Graduated Spokane Community College, 03/2021, with Honors
- President, Student Awareness League, Spokane Community College, 2017-2018. As a human rights/equity club, we collaborated with local activist groups to coordinate conferences and special speakers for students/faculty of the college.
- Secretary, Unit Council Committee, MICU, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2022-2023
Affiliations
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- Georgia Nurses Association (GNA)
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
Timeline
RN, CVICU
Emory University Hospital
11.2023 - Current
RN, MICU
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
10.2021 - 10.2023
RN, Medical-Surgical
Providence Holy Family Hospital
04.2021 - 09.2021
Associate of Arts - Nursing
Spokane Community College
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Lewis-Clark State College
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