Deborah Kuehhas
Surfside Beach,SC
Summary
Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CVOR Registered Nurse
AYA Healthcare
Washington DC
12.2025 - Current
- Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility during high-pressure situations, ensuring timely completion of surgical procedures without compromising quality of care.
- Improved teamwork within surgical departments by participating in ongoing training sessions and sharing knowledge with colleagues.
- Increased patient safety by promptly identifying and reporting potential hazards in the operating room environment, leading to corrective action and prevention of adverse events.
- Increased patient satisfaction with thorough communication about their medical condition, treatment options, and follow-up care plans.
- Facilitated smooth operations within the CVOR unit by organizing equipment and supplies according to established guidelines.
- Built rapport with patients'' families during high-stress situations, addressing concerns while upholding privacy regulations as required under HIPAA.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
Lead Cardiac Nurse – Hybrid Room
Tidelands Health
Murrels Inlet, SC
06.2025 - 12.2025
- Enhanced patient outcomes by providing expert CVOR nursing care and closely monitoring vital signs.
- Contributed to a decrease in surgical site infections through meticulous attention to detail in the operating room environment.
- Improved teamwork within surgical departments by participating in ongoing training sessions and sharing knowledge with colleagues.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses in acute cardiac care settings.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for cardiac patients.
- Utilized advanced monitoring systems to track patient vitals and detect potential complications early.
- Led staff training initiatives focused on best practices in cardiac nursing techniques and protocols.
- Implemented quality improvement projects that enhanced patient safety and care delivery processes.
- Mentored junior nurses, fostering professional development and encouraging adherence to clinical standards.
- Streamlined documentation procedures to improve accuracy and efficiency in patient record-keeping.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes during procedures.
- Streamlined surgical preparation processes, reducing turnaround times between cases.
- Conducted quality assurance audits to maintain compliance with healthcare regulations.
- Developed and maintained effective communication channels among multidisciplinary care teams.
- Contributed to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare as key member of cardiac nursing team caring for up to 6 patients daily.
- Applied laws, policies and evidence-based practices in patient care, minimizing errors and complaints to less than 96% monthly.
- Worked with healthcare team to develop new dialysis treatment flow sheet and other log forms, improving clinical documentation and accountability.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
Registered Nurse Operating Room
Conway Medical Center
Conway, SC
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Increased patient satisfaction with thorough communication about their medical condition, treatment options, and follow-up care plans.
- Streamlined pre-operative preparation by effectively managing patient assessments and documentation.
- Built rapport with patients' families during high-stress situations, addressing concerns while upholding privacy regulations as required under HIPAA.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement within the hospital setting through constructive feedback and suggestions for process enhancements.
- Optimized surgical team efficiency by maintaining proper sterile techniques and ensuring timely instrument availability.
- Minimized risk of complications by adhering to strict safety protocols during all CVOR procedures.
- Collaborated with surgeons and anesthesiologists to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Educated patients and families on preoperative and postoperative care protocols.
- Implemented infection control measures to maintain sterile environment in operating room.
- Trained and mentored new nursing staff on surgical protocols and equipment usage.
- Assessed patient conditions and responded effectively to changing clinical scenarios.
- Led initiatives to streamline surgical workflows, enhancing team efficiency and communication.
- Evaluated nursing practices, contributing to policy updates for improved patient safety standards.
- Maintained a sterile environment within the operating room, reducing the risk of infection.
- Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and safe environment.
- Coordinated with surgeons and staff to deliver safe patient care during operations.
- Implemented time-out protocols before starting surgeries, verifying correct patient identification and procedural details.
- Mentored new nurses entering the profession, guiding them through their initial experiences within the operating room setting.
- Prepared equipment and supplies necessary for each surgical procedure, ensuring availability when needed by surgeons.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork within the surgical suite by fostering open communication and collaboration among colleagues.
Registered Nurse CVOR
Inova Fairfax Hospital
Falls Church, VA
03.2024 - 08.2024
- Enhanced patient outcomes by providing expert CVOR nursing care and closely monitoring vital signs.
- Contributed to a decrease in surgical site infections through meticulous attention to detail in the operating room environment.
- Improved teamwork within surgical departments by participating in ongoing training sessions and sharing knowledge with colleagues.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient treatment, resulting in improved overall health.
- Increased patient safety by promptly identifying and reporting potential hazards in the operating room environment, leading to corrective action and prevention of adverse events.
- Facilitated smooth operations within the CVOR unit by organizing equipment and supplies according to established guideline
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure compliance with care standards and protocols.
- Conducted training sessions on best practices in patient care and safety procedures.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to optimize resource allocation and operational efficiency.
- Provided leadership during emergency situations, guiding staff in prioritizing patient needs and delivering rapid response interventions.
- Maintained accurate documentation in electronic health records systems while safeguarding sensitive patient information.
- Mentored new nurse graduates, providing guidance and support during their transition into professional practice.
- Raised morale among nursing staff through effective communication, teamwork, and recognition of individual achievements.
- Conducted quality improvement initiatives to identify areas for process improvement and implement best practices.
Registered Nurse CVOR
AYA Healthcare
Washington, DC
01.2021 - 03.2024
- Reduced surgical complications through thorough patient assessment and timely communication with the surgical team.
- Demonstrated strong clinical judgment by accurately interpreting diagnostic data prior to surgery, ensuring optimal decision-making during procedures.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to optimize patient care and workflow efficiency.
- Implemented infection control measures to enhance patient safety standards in the CVOR environment.
- Mentored junior nursing staff, fostering skill development and adherence to best practices.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement within the hospital setting through constructive feedback and suggestions for process enhancements.
- Maximized team cohesion through active participation in department meetings, contributing valuable insight based on direct CVOR nursing experience.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by keeping meticulous records of all aspects of CVOR nursing practice.
- Increased patient safety by promptly identifying and reporting potential hazards in the operating room environment, leading to corrective action and prevention of adverse events.
- Enhanced patient outcomes by providing expert CVOR nursing care and closely monitoring vital signs.
- Facilitated smooth operations within the CVOR unit by organizing equipment and supplies according to established guidelines.
- Worked with healthcare team to develop new dialysis treatment flow sheet and other log forms, improving clinical documentation and accountability.
Registered Nurse/CST/Lead/OR
Inova Fairfax Hospital
Falls Church, VA
07.2013 - 01.2022
- Maintained high infection control standards.
- Prepared operating rooms with required instruments, ensuring efficient setup for various surgical cases.
- Setup operating and surgery rooms by preparing equipment and supplies for upcoming procedures.
- Minimized infection risks by strictly adhering to aseptic techniques when handling surgical supplies and equipment.
- Handled high-pressure situations calmly and efficiently, contributing to successful completion of critical surgeries.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Stratford University
Woodbridge, VA05.2020
Associate of Arts - General
Northern Virginia Community College
Manassas, VA05.2016
Associate of Applied Science - Surgical Technician
ECPI University
Manassas, VA05.2013
Skills
- Preoperative preparation
- Surgical patient care
- Patient Safety
- Vital signs monitoring
- Clinical judgment
- Critical Thinking
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Patient Care Assessment
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- CPR/AED
- Documentation
- Training staff
- HEART TRANSPLANT
- LUNG TRANSPLANT
- ECMO PROCEDURES
- RVAD/LVAD PROCEDURES
- BALLOON PUMP PROCEDURES
- CABG ON AND OFF PUMP
- MINI MITRAL
- MAZE PROCEDURE, CRYO
- AORTIC VALE
- TRICUSPID
- TEE W/ CARDIOVERSION
- PERCUTANEOUS VALVULOPLASTY, CLIPPING MITRAL AND TRICUSPID
- TAVAR
- LEVEL 1 DISSECTION
- LEVEL 1 TRAUMA HOSPITAL
- SCRUB AND CIRCULATE ALL MAIN OPERATING ROOM PROCEDURES AND TRAUMS
Certification
- CFPN
- INOVA Fairfax Nurse Residency Program
- Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society
Timeline
CVOR Registered Nurse
AYA Healthcare
12.2025 - Current
Lead Cardiac Nurse – Hybrid Room
Tidelands Health
06.2025 - 12.2025
Registered Nurse Operating Room
Conway Medical Center
08.2024 - 05.2025
Registered Nurse CVOR
Inova Fairfax Hospital
03.2024 - 08.2024
Registered Nurse CVOR
AYA Healthcare
01.2021 - 03.2024
Registered Nurse/CST/Lead/OR
Inova Fairfax Hospital
07.2013 - 01.2022
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Stratford University
Associate of Arts - General
Northern Virginia Community College
Associate of Applied Science - Surgical Technician
ECPI University