Kimi Erickson

Unit Overview: 8West Medical ICU

Providing care for patients with multiple diagnosis and comorbidities including hypoxia, sepsis, acute kidney injuries, altered mental status and other escalating chronic illnesses and advocating for best practice in nursing care delivery.

• Conducting thorough patient assessments per protocol for acuity to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary
• Administering medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities
• Utilizing critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patient's acuity levels and individual needs
• Assessing and managing various patient treatments for numerous patient diagnoses from sepsis to acute respiratory distress including sedation, trached or intubated vented patients, BiPap, CPap and various drains and lines
• Monitoring hemodynamic parameters and analyzing complex data sets, making appropriate adjustments to treatment plans based on patient response
• Demonstrated a high level of adaptability in adjusting to ever-changing patient acuity levels within the critical care unit, ensuring consistent delivery of safe and effective nursing care
• Administering life-saving medications and therapies under strict protocols, guiding patients towards recovery from acute illnesses or injuries
• Assisting with invasive procedures such as central line insertions or bronchoscopies under physician supervision
• Advocating for patient autonomy and rights during decision-making processes, upholding ethical principles in critical care nursing practice
• Overseeing various aspects of telemetry by administering vasoactive drugs, titration, thrombolytic therapy and dysrhythmia interpretation
• Facilitating timely discharges through interdisciplinary collaboration and efficient coordination of post-acute care services for patients requiring ongoing support after ICU stay
• Actively participating in continuing education opportunities to remain current with best practices in the rapidly evolving field of critical care nursing
• Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs
• Provided support for patients and families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones assuring both that end of life care does not mean end of care
• Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches
• Skills include managing multiple drains, lines, CRRT, wound care, PCA and pain management, vasoactive medications, wound care, Mag and K replacement protocols, insulin drips and other high risk medications

Unit Overview: 5300, 1A/2A Pediatric Med Surg Stepdown

Coordinate daily care of 3-4 patients with various illnesses

and disease processes including, Complex Care, General

Surgery, Neuro Surgery, Trauma, Solid Organ Transplant, GI and Cardiac populations.

• Care for psychiatric patients with medical needs until transition to in or outpatient placement
• Occasional adult surgical overflow patients under the age of 35
• Duties include bedside management of patient care including education for patients and caregivers and writing care plans specific to individual patient needs
• Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patient's acuity levels and individual needs
• Preceptor and Charge nurse including nursing assignments, reviewing the OR schedule in preparation of expected admissions, assisting care nurses as needed with patient care and helping to manage difficult situations from RRTs to addressing problems and concerns that family members may have
• Skills include caring for trached and vented patients, medication management, managing multiple lines, drains, central lines, epidurals, PCA and NCAs, NG tubes, urinary cath and wound vacs
• Maintained strong working relationships with physicians and ancillary staff, fostering a collaborative approach to patient care delivery
• Educating patients and families to increase understanding of condition and best ways to manage
• Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient outcomes and efficient care coordination
• Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills

Clinic Overview: Pediatric Same Day Clinic, Pediatric

and Adult Medical Clinic

Accurately triaging pediatric patients based on reported and presenting symptoms, education, administering medication and vaccines, assist with procedures and coordinate medical transport if emergent hospital care is required.

• Collecting updated patient information, assist with procedures, administer medications and vaccines and provide education in both clinic and nurse visits
• Triage included teaching and assisting patients to problem solve for home care or determining if a higher level of care is required such as a clinic visit, urgent care or the emergency room
• Charge Nurse, preceptor and management of the clinic medications and glucometer supplies
• Skills acquired include assisting with pelvic exams, collecting and processing labs specimens, vaccine and medication administration
• I especially enjoyed the teaching aspect of this position such as teaching young women about reproductive health and new diabetic patients about diet, exercise, insulin types and administration
• Pediatric Same Day Clinic for urgent care needs

Unit Overview: 3300 Cardiothoracic Stepdown

• Caring for Step Down and Intermediate Patients pre and post operative
• Complex Cardiac Surgeries such as bypass procedures, Heart Transplants, Cardiac Caths, Valve replacements and L-VADs
• Pulmonary procedures such as Wedge Resections and Lung Transplants
• Caring for Esophageal procedures and Chest Trauma patients
• Charge nurse and preceptor, preparing assignments and assisting care nurses as needed for procedures and complicated situations including immediate interventions and codes
• Skills include caring for trached patients, pain management with epidurals and PCAs, managing lines, central lines, drains, wound vacs, and medication administration