Kristin Halaska
Big Lake,MN
Summary
Experienced Registered Nurse with expertise in perioperative and post-anesthesia care, labor and delivery, and patient education. Skilled in interdisciplinary collaboration, patient assessment, and managing complex post-operative needs to ensure optimal outcomes. Ready to bring advanced nursing skills and compassionate care to support patients and the healthcare team in a new role.
Overview
1
1
Certification
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Per Diem Registered Nurse – PACU
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Minneapolis, MN
07.2025 - Current
- Provide Phase I and Phase II post-anesthesia care for patients recovering from a variety of surgical and procedural interventions.
- Perform comprehensive assessments of airway, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and pain status following anesthesia.
- Monitor for and respond to post-operative complications, collaborating closely with anesthesia providers and surgeons to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Administer medications, IV therapies, and interventions for pain, nausea, and other post-operative needs.
- Evaluate patient readiness for discharge and provide individualized education to patients and families regarding post-operative recovery.
- Adapt quickly to a fast-paced, high-volume perioperative environment while maintaining patient safety and quality standards.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate efficient patient flow and continuity of care.
Registered Nurse – Same Day Surgery/PACU
CentraCare Hospital
Monticello, MN
04.2023 - Current
- Provide nursing care in pre-operative, post-anesthesia care (PACU), and post-operative settings.
- Perform patient assessments, IV starts, infusions, and perioperative monitoring.
- Monitor and assess patients recovering from general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care.
- Recognize and respond to airway, respiratory, hemodynamic, and neurological changes during recovery.
- Manage post-operative pain, nausea, and surgical complications through collaboration with anesthesia and surgical teams.
- Coordinate discharge planning with patients and families, ensuring understanding of post-operative instructions, medications and post operative care.
- Facilitate timely interventions and specialized post-operative care.
- Conduct patient chart reviews and pre-procedure phone interviews to prepare patients for surgery.
Registered Nurse – Labor & Delivery
CentraCare Hospital
Monticello, MN
06.2025 - Current
- Provide comprehensive nursing care to laboring, delivering, and postpartum patients.
- Perform maternal and fetal assessments and ongoing monitoring throughout labor and delivery.
- Collaborate closely with obstetric providers, anesthesia, pediatric, and surgical teams to ensure safe patient outcomes.
- Support patients and families through labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum education.
- Respond to obstetrical emergencies utilizing critical thinking and evidence-based nursing interventions.
- Maintain accurate documentation and communication throughout the continuum of care.
Registered Nurse / Charge Nurse – Surgical, Trauma, Neuro Unit
Hennepin Healthcare
Minneapolis, MN
12.2018 - Current
- Provide direct nursing care to patients with acute traumatic injuries, neurological conditions, and post-surgical needs.
- Serve as Charge Nurse for a 41-bed Surgical, Trauma, and Neuro unit consisting of intermediate care and medical-surgical patients.
- Adjust staffing assignments based on patient acuity and census demands.
- Coordinate patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
- Facilitate communication among multidisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure continuity of care.
- Resolve patient, family, staff, and interdepartmental concerns effectively.
- Perform neurological assessments, post-operative monitoring, wound care, specimen collection, and medication administration.
- Advocate for patients and families through education, support, and care planning.
- Identify learning needs and provide individualized patient education.
- Precept nursing students and orient new nursing staff to unit policies, procedures, and best practices.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing (BSN)
University of Northwestern – St. Paul
Saint Paul, MN01-2018
Associate of Science - Paramedicine
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN01-2014
Bachelor of Science - Exercise Science
Bethany Lutheran College
Mankato, MN01-2011
Skills
- EPIC Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
- IV Therapy and Infusion Management
- Moderate Sedation
- Maternal and Fetal Assessment
- Labor Support and Patient Education
- Perioperative Nursing Care
- Patient Assessment and Monitoring
- Discharge Planning and Education
Certification
- BLS
- ACLS
- NRP
Core Qualifications
- Labor & Delivery Nursing
- Fetal and Maternal Monitoring
- Post-Anesthesia Care (PACU)
- Same Day Surgery Nursing
- Pre-Operative Assessment and Care
- Moderate Sedation Administration
- IV Starts and Infusion Therapy
- Admissions and Discharge Planning
- Trauma and Surgical Nursing
- Post-Operative Neurosurgical Care
- Renal Transplant Post-Operative Care
- Charge Nurse Leadership
- Patient and Family Education
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- EPIC Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
- Staff Mentorship and Precepting
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
Timeline
Per Diem Registered Nurse – PACU
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
07.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse – Labor & Delivery
CentraCare Hospital
06.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse – Same Day Surgery/PACU
CentraCare Hospital
04.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse / Charge Nurse – Surgical, Trauma, Neuro Unit
Hennepin Healthcare
12.2018 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Exercise Science
Bethany Lutheran College
Associate of Science - Paramedicine
Ridgewater College
Bachelor of Science - Nursing (BSN)
University of Northwestern – St. Paul