K'Vaughn D. Dames
Staten Island
Summary
I am a passionate critical care nurse who prides themself in being adaptable. I have experience in caring for various surgical and medical populations. I actively collaborate with the critical-care team to address urgent and long-term needs of my patients. I balance strong clinical knowledge with individualized care that acknowledges cultural, spiritual, and personal needs. This being so ingrained within my practice, I was voted to be the recipient of the Inaugural Caring Touch award by Northwell Health. Caring for critical patients and their families isn't simply a career for me, it's my calling.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Cardiothoracic ICU Nurse
Mount Sinai
New York
01.2026 - Current
- 24 bed Transplant/Cardiothoracic ICU.
- Cared for transplant (heart, lung, kidney) and pre-transplant patients requiring cardiovascular assist devices (Impella, RVAD/LVAD, balloon pump) to optimize patient outcomes.
- Provided extracorporeal support (VV/VA/VA-V) to critically ill patients, ensuring stability and recovery during treatment.
- Monitored hemodynamics closely, utilizing colloids and vasoactive agents to maintain optimal patient hemodynamic profiles.
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Lenox Hill Hospital
New York
03.2025 - Current
- Pre- and immediate post-operative care for open heart and structural patients.
- Manage patients requiring extracorporeal (VV/VA ECMO) and left ventricular assist device (Impella/VAD) support in collaboration with Perfusionists.
- Strong exposure to patients requiring multiple vasoactive and inotropic agents for hemodynamic stability.
- Assisted providers with bedside line placements and bronchoscopies while maintaining appropriate sedation, titrating vasoactive drips, and administering blood products to enhance hemodynamic stability.
- Competent in assessment and use of swan-ganz catheters for hemodynamic monitoring.
- Experienced in providing care to patients with open chest and abdomens. Trained in aiding providers in performing emergency opening of the chest on the unit.
- Knowledgeable in setting up and maintenance of CRRT and Aquadex for fluid management of patients with renal and cardiovascular dysfunction.
- Utilize i-STAT and Gem 5000 for rapid interpretation of labs.
Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Lenox Hill Hospital
New York
08.2023 - 03.2025
- Provided care for critical neurosurgical populations including post angiograms, craniectomy/craniotomy, and stroke.
- Provided management and escalation for patients in ICP crisis and status epilepticus, ensuring appropriate interventions were implemented promptly.
- Managed patients requiring External Ventricular Drainage systems, participating in emergency EVD placements at bedside to enhance patient outcomes.
- Identified early signs of neurological decline and escalated care to ensure timely interventions.
- Competent in performing thorough neurologic assessments and utilization of the Glasgow Coma Scale and NIH Stroke Scale.
- Administered care to patients following tenecteplase and alteplase treatment in a clinical setting.
- Maintain continuous nerve blockade (nimbex) in correlation with therapeutic sedation.
Surgical Step-down/Telemetry Registered Nurse
Lenox Hill Hospital
Staten Island
10.2021 - 08.2023
- Admitted, monitored, and prepared patients for surgical interventions, ensuring readiness for acute or chronic conditions.
- Experience with patients under several surgery specialties (General, Neuro, ENT, Plastic, GYN, and Urology)
- Management of patients with abnormal heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation, PVCs, sinus arrhythmias).
- Escalation of care for patients, especially concerning acute changes.
- Coordinated safe transitions for patients downgrading from Recovery Unit and ICU, facilitating continuity of care.
- Maintained effective communication with care providers, collaborating to address patient needs and support ongoing recovery.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Long Island University (Brooklyn)
Brooklyn, NY05-2021
Skills
- Invasive hemodynamic monitoring
- Advanced airway management
- Neurovascular assessment
- Hemodynamic monitoring and interpretation
- Sedation management
- EKG Interpretation
- Teaching/Preceptor
- Leadership
- Patient advocacy
Certification
Certified Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN-A) - American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Accomplishments
Truly Caring Touch Award - Northwell Health
Affiliations
Tracheostomy Champion (2023)
Timeline
Cardiothoracic ICU Nurse
Mount Sinai
01.2026 - Current
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Lenox Hill Hospital
03.2025 - Current
Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Lenox Hill Hospital
08.2023 - 03.2025
Surgical Step-down/Telemetry Registered Nurse
Lenox Hill Hospital
10.2021 - 08.2023
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Long Island University (Brooklyn)