Kathleen Pirih
Las Vegas,NV
Summary
Dedicated CVICU nurse with over 25 years of experience in cardiac surgery care. Expertise in managing complex critical patients and responding to emergencies, with a focus on rapid assessment and immediate action plans. Committed to enhancing patient outcomes through vigilant monitoring and proactive interventions while promoting best practices. Fosters strong connections with team members, patients, and families, embracing feedback for continuous improvement.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Staff Nurse, CVICU
Summerlin Medical Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
12.2014 - Current
- Educates patients and families on post-operative care and recovery protocols for cardiac surgery.
- Precepts junior nurses, providing guidance on best practices in CVICU nursing.
- Responds promptly to emergencies, utilizing advanced life support techniques effectively.
- Provides direct care to cardiac surgery patients including preop, recovery and post op care following clinical pathway and ERAS recommendations.
- Provides emotional support and guidance through difficult times of the the recovery process while being professional.
- Initiates life-saving measures such as C.a.l.s., defib/cardioversion, CPR in response to cardiac arrest situations within the the unit.
- Identifies potential risk factors that could lead to complications during the recovery period for early intervention.
- Participates in daily rounds with physicians to discuss patient status updates and plan next steps in care delivery.
- Detects emerging problems by monitoring patients' behavior, vital signs hemodynamics and fluid intake and output.
- Actively seeks to collaborate with the team in preventing deterioration of any patient and assists with interventions ASAP.
- Limited experience with vvECMO at Summerlin as it was initiated as life saving measure by Dr. N. Jahangir during surgery. Approx 4 different patients.
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Methodist Hospital Of Southern California
Arcadia, California
12.1996 - 12.2014
- Provided direct patient care in high-acuity mixed critical care setting for over 20 years including cardiac surgery, STEMI, impella, crrt, ICP/ neurosurgical,,thoracotomy, spinal blocks/continuous epidurals, limited LVAD opportunities, AAA repairs, sepsis, Exp. lap colon resections, emergency bedside endoscopies.
- Executed advanced life support techniques during emergency situations according to ACLS protocols.
- Trained and mentored new nursing staff on critical care procedures.
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care to terminally ill patients.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance outcomes for critically ill patients and contributed to yearly skills education.
- Managed the care of patients on mechanical ventilation with complex pulmonary problems and provided proning for ARDS.
- Pursued professional development activities to remain knowledgeable about advancements in critical care nursing.
- Advanced through nursing levels from Clin II to Clin III, reflecting commitment to professional growth in critical care.
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Dignity Health
Henderson, Nevada
11.2009 - 02.2010
- Provided direct patient care in high-acuity critical care settings at Siena campus.
- Utilized evidence-based practice guidelines while providing nursing interventions for critically ill patients.
- Clin III per diem position
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Dignity Health
Henderson, Nevada
05.2007 - 03.2008
- Provided direct patient care in high-acuity critical care settings at San Martin Campus nightshift.
- Required to float to other campuses although not in a float pool.
- Hired at start of cardiac surgery program but challenges with census did not allow for any cardiac surgery patients while there. The unit became mixed and only a few surgeries on dayshift were done.
- Clin III, part time.
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Methodist Hospital Of Southern California
Arcadia, California
06.1991 - 06.1996
- Managed 6 patients on fast-paced surgical telemetry unit during night shift without ancillary support.
- received immediate post op, orthopedic, chole, hernia repairs, colostomies, exp lap, etc.
- Cared for all cardiac surgery patients transferred from ICU, overseeing their progression to discharge.
- Initiated and maintained iv drips for treatment of afib or vtach.
- Served as charge RN after 2 years, responsible for staff assignments and coverage while maintaining full patient load.
Education
Associate of Science - Registered Nursing
Pasadena City College School of Nursing
Pasadena, CA05-1991
Skills
- Proficient in all aspects of cardiac surgery pre-op, recovery and post-op care and still loving it
- Willing and able to care for variety of critical patients including STEMI, impella CP/55, IABP, CRRT, Code White, neurosurgery, Exp Lap GI, cardiac surgery, therapeutic hypothermia, vascular surgery, etc
- Manages all aspects of medication administration for pain control, all forms of shock, procedural sedation, paralytics, Code stroke, ACLs, Cals, and rapid sequence intubation
- Familiar and effectively communicates with cv surgeons, intensivists, hospitalists and all other specialty MD consults to optimize patient care and expedite healing
- Volunteers enthusiastically to teach/precept new nurses to any device and any type of critical care patient
- Follows protocols and standards of care as written by my facility
Certification
- Nevada Registered Nurse license 53030, active
- California Registered Nurse license 470394, inactive
- current BLS, ACLS certifications
Timeline
Staff Nurse, CVICU
Summerlin Medical Center
12.2014 - Current
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Dignity Health
11.2009 - 02.2010
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Dignity Health
05.2007 - 03.2008
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Methodist Hospital Of Southern California
12.1996 - 12.2014
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Methodist Hospital Of Southern California
06.1991 - 06.1996
Associate of Science - Registered Nursing
Pasadena City College School of Nursing