Katharina Garcia-Nelson, BSN, RN, CCRN
Sioux Falls,SD
Summary
Dedicated Critical Care Registered Nurse with over three years of high-acuity medical ICU experience at a Level II Trauma Center. Provides compassionate care to critically ill adult patients requiring advanced hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilation, and complex pharmacological management. Honored as the 2024 Nurse of the Year and continually recognized for having strong critical thinking, leadership, and collaborative practice skills. Committed to continuous professional development through serving on unit-based committees, precepting new ICU nurses and students, taking advanced science coursework, and completing 36 hours of CRNA shadowing across varying settings.
Overview
1
1
Certification
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
REGISTERED NURSE - MEDICAL ICU
AVERA MCKENNAN & UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER
Sioux Falls, SD
06.2023 - Current
- Manage critically ill adult patients with septic shock, ARDS, acute renal failure, neurologic emergencies, and multi-organ dysfunction, ensuring stabilization and optimal care.
- Physiology-based clinical decision making in a high-acuity critical care setting.
- Interpret invasive hemodynamic monitoring (arterial lines & central venous lines) and titrate vasoactive infusions.
- Manage mechanical ventilation including APRV, pressure control, and volume control modes.
- Care for patients requiring CRRT and SLED.
- Assist with emergent intubations, airway management, and bedside procedures, contributing to timely interventions and patient safety.
- Administer continuous sedation, analgesia, and neuromuscular blockade infusions to maintain patient comfort and facilitate critical interventions.
CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Sioux Falls, SD
09.2026
- Oversee clinical practice for 18 nursing students, ensuring adherence to best practices and professional standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
05-2023
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
05-2017
Skills
- Ventilator Management
- Airway Management
- Advanced Hemodynamic Monitoring
- Continuous Sedation, Analgesia, Vasoactive, & Neuromuscular Blockade Administration
- CRRT & SLED
- Target Temperature Management
- EVD/ICP/CPP Monitoring
- EKG Interpretation
- Organ Donation Donor & Recipient Care
CRITICAL CARE SKILLS
- Advanced Pathophysiology (A)
- Advanced Pharmacology (A)
- Organic Chemistry (A)
- Biochemistry (A)
- 20 hours – Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD
- 8 hours – Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center (Critical Access Hospital), Marshall, MN
- 8 Hours – Vance Thompson Vision, Sioux Falls, SD
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
ANESTHESIA SHADOWING
Affiliations
- AACN National
- AACN Siouxland
- AANA
- Society of Future Nurse Anesthetists
- Future CRNA Learning Solutions
- CRNA School Prep Academy
Certification
- CCRN
- ACLS
- PALS
- BLS
- TNCC
- 2024 Nurse of the Year Recipient
- 2024 Daisy Award Nominee
- 2025 Nurse of the Year Nominee
Timeline
CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
09.2026
REGISTERED NURSE - MEDICAL ICU
AVERA MCKENNAN & UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER
06.2023 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
CONFERENCES
- AANA Annual Congress Attendee (2026, 2025)
- AACN NTI (2025)
- Avera Trauma Symposium (2025)
LEADERSHIP & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
- Preceptor to New ICU Nurses & Nursing Students
- Founding Member, Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Committee
- Unit Governance Council Secretary
- Developed & Implemented A Volume-Based Enteral Feeding Protocol
- Accurate Daily Weight Unit Project Leader
- Nursing Grand Rounds Presenter (January 2025, August 2025)