Kristin Pellegrino
Farmington,CT
Summary
Nursing executive with a strong background in leading clinical operations and workforce development. Demonstrated success in maintaining Medicare Five-Star quality standards and reducing facility-acquired infections through effective quality performance initiatives. Committed to enhancing patient-centered care delivery and regulatory compliance in complex healthcare environments.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Nursing
Duncaster Retirement Community
02.2021 - Current
- Provide executive nursing leadership across clinical operations, quality performance, regulatory readiness, survey preparation, workforce strategy, and resident-centered care services.
- Led and developed multidisciplinary nursing teams, enhancing collaboration among Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Nursing Assistants.
- Directed staffing strategies, workforce planning, and employee engagement initiatives to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
- Oversaw Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) programs, driving clinical excellence and enhancing operational effectiveness.
- Manage departmental budgets, monitor expenditures, and align resources with organizational goals.
- Partner with senior leadership to establish strategic objectives and sustain organizational performance.
- Develop and implement policies, procedures, and survey-readiness practices that support regulatory compliance, clinical standardization, and high-quality care delivery.
- Lead survey preparation and readiness activities, support regulatory reviews, coordinate corrective action planning, and promote sustained compliance across nursing services.
- Maintain Medicare Five-Star quality standards and consistently achieve excellence ratings in annual performance evaluations.
- Reduced facility-acquired infections and skin injuries to minimal incidence levels through focused surveillance, clinical education, prevention practices, and accountability systems.
Nurse Manager, Cardiac ICU & Radiology Nursing
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
11.2018 - 01.2021
- Directed operations for high-acuity clinical service lines encompassing Cardiac Intensive Care and Radiology Nursing.
- Provided leadership, mentoring, and professional development for nursing staff while promoting a culture of excellence and accountability.
- Managed workforce planning, recruitment, retention, onboarding, and performance management to ensure optimal staffing and staff development.
- Led budget planning and financial oversight, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions to align with organizational goals.
- Collaborated with physicians, advanced practice providers, and executive stakeholders to optimize clinical outcomes and patient experience.
- Guided policy development and quality improvement initiatives to enhance operational performance and patient care standards.
- Trinity Health
Assistant Nurse Manager, Cardiac ICU & Interventional Radiology
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
06.2017 - 11.2018
- Facilitated leadership of 20-bed Cardiac ICU and 8-bed Radiology PACU to ensure high-quality patient care.
- Oversaw direct leadership of more than 65 nursing professionals to foster a collaborative and efficient work environment.
- Coordinated operations, staffing, education, financial management, and quality initiatives to enhance departmental performance.
- Enhanced patient care at Trinity Health
Registered Nurse, Cardiac ICU
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
01.2014 - 12.2017
- Managed advanced therapies including CRRT, IABP, and Targeted Temperature Management, ensuring optimal patient outcomes in critical care.
- Specialized in care of post-open heart surgical patients and hemodynamically unstable patients.
- Served as Charge Nurse, Preceptor, Kronos Scheduler, and clinical resource, facilitating seamless operations and supporting team development.
- Provided patient care at Trinity Health facility
Registered Nurse, Critical Care Unit
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
01.2011 - 12.2014
- Delivered high-quality patient care in 36-bed critical care unit.
- Led Unit-Based Council to enhance patient care initiatives.
- Supported development and implementation of healthcare services at Trinity Health.
Sub-Acute Manager
Amberwoods of Farmington
01.2009 - 12.2011
- Managed 35-bed sub-acute rehabilitation unit, enhancing patient recovery in post-surgical, cardiac, respiratory, rehabilitation, and wound care services.
- Led interdisciplinary teams to facilitate effective recovery and transition-to-home for patients.
- Supervised daily operations ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
- Developed staff schedules optimizing resource allocation and workflow efficiency.
- Trained new employees on procedures, policies, and customer service protocols.
Admissions Director
Amberwoods of Farmington
01.2008 - 12.2009
- Led admissions strategy to enhance resident enrollment processes.
- Facilitated admissions and continuity of care through collaboration with referral sources, physicians, and families, enhancing the patient experience and care coordination.
- Evaluated clinical and financial aspects for prospective admissions to 130-bed facility, ensuring alignment with patient needs and facility capabilities.
- Developed marketing materials to promote community services and programs.
- Partnered with staff to enhance team communication to ensure effective onboarding of new residents.
Licensed Practical Nurse
01.2007 - 12.2008
Licensed Practical Nurse
Hospital for Special Care
03.2005 - 03.2007
- Delivered respiratory, ventilator, tracheostomy, and wound care services to enhance recovery for medically complex patients.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses.
- Provided direct patient care in various healthcare settings.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to develop patient care plans.
Education
Master's - healthcare administration
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN03-2027
Master of Science - Nursing Management
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT01-2019
Associate Degree - Nursing
Goodwin College
East Hartford, CT01-2009
Licensed Practical Nurse Program -
New England Technical School
01-2005
Bachelor of Science -
Central Connecticut State University
01-1998
Skills
- Clinical operations leadership
- Regulatory compliance
- Accreditation preparedness
- Performance improvement
- Patient safety
- Healthcare financial management
- Strategic planning
- Workforce development
- Clinical change leadership
- Risk management
- Acute care operations
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Licensure Certifications Executive Development
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Professional Certifications, INELDA Certified Death Doula, Infection Control Nurse Certification, Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Basic Life Support (BLS), valid through 03/31/27
- Executive Leadership Development, LeadingAge Leadership Academy Graduate, 2023, Essentials for Nurse Leaders Program
Publications Honors Professional Contributions
Nurses Have the Key to Your Heart, Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, Wolters Kluwer, 07/01/22, Excellence in Leadership During a Pandemic Award Recipient, Member, Sigma Nursing Honor Society, Contributed to the development of the pilot Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Member, ECMO Team, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
Personal Information
Title: Chief Nursing Officer Candidate | Clinical Operations Executive | Survey-Experienced Quality & Regulatory Leader
Executive Achievements
- Sustained Medicare Five-Star quality standards within a senior living and skilled nursing environment.
- Led organization-wide Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement initiatives supporting excellence in clinical outcomes and regulatory compliance.
- Demonstrated survey experience with regulatory preparedness, survey response, corrective action planning, and sustained compliance practices.
- Directed multidisciplinary healthcare teams across long-term care, acute care, critical care, rehabilitation, and post-acute settings.
- Recipient of the Excellence in Leadership During a Pandemic Award.
- Published author in Nursing Made Incredibly Easy.
- Contributed to the development of the pilot Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.
- Graduate of the LeadingAge Leadership Academy.
- Member of Sigma Nursing Honor Society, reflecting academic excellence, professional leadership, and commitment to nursing scholarship.
Executive Competencies
- Clinical Operations Leadership
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Quality & Performance Improvement
- Survey Readiness & Regulatory Response
- Accreditation Preparedness
- Patient Safety & Clinical Governance
- Financial & Budget Oversight
- Workforce Development & Retention
- Change Management
- Risk Management
- Acute & Critical Care Operations
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Timeline
Director of Nursing
Duncaster Retirement Community
02.2021 - Current
Nurse Manager, Cardiac ICU & Radiology Nursing
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
11.2018 - 01.2021
Assistant Nurse Manager, Cardiac ICU & Interventional Radiology
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
06.2017 - 11.2018
Registered Nurse, Cardiac ICU
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
01.2014 - 12.2017
Registered Nurse, Critical Care Unit
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
01.2011 - 12.2014
Sub-Acute Manager
Amberwoods of Farmington
01.2009 - 12.2011
Admissions Director
Amberwoods of Farmington
01.2008 - 12.2009
Licensed Practical Nurse
01.2007 - 12.2008
Licensed Practical Nurse
Hospital for Special Care
03.2005 - 03.2007
Master's - healthcare administration
Capella University
Master of Science - Nursing Management
University of Hartford
Associate Degree - Nursing
Goodwin College
Licensed Practical Nurse Program -
New England Technical School
Bachelor of Science -
Central Connecticut State University