Leah Elizabeth DeCarlis
Virginia Beach
Summary
Motivated and high performing Registered Nurse since March 2022. Proven to handle any medical emergency or situation, with the requisite skillset to perform under pressure. Skilled in providing individualized, quality care to diverse populations with a wide variety of complex medical needs with compassion.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse (Intensive Care Unit)
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
07.2025 - Current
- Deliver high-acuity care across multiple ICU specialties, including General, Neuro, Surgical, Vascular, and Burn/Trauma at the only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center in Hampton Roads.
- Manage complex post-operative ICU patients transitioning directly from the Operating Room, ensuring safe stabilization and continuity of care.
- Utilize advanced clinical judgment to assess, monitor, and prioritize rapidly changing patient conditions.
- Interpret complex clinical data (labs, imaging, hemodynamics) to support timely, evidence-based decision-making.
- Communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including physicians and care coordinators, to optimize patient outcomes.
- Provide clear, compassionate education and support to patients and families, including via phone-based communication when appropriate.
- Maintain highly accurate, detailed electronic documentation in fast-paced environments.
- Strong ability to multitask, adapt quickly, and manage high patient acuity.
- Committed to patient safety, quality improvement, and adherence to clinical protocols.
Registered Nurse (Intensive Care Unit)
Sentara Obici Hospital
07.2023 - 07.2025
- Provide quality care for critically ill patients with diversified needs in an 18-bed ICU department.
- Effectively communicated and collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure desired patient outcomes.
- Provide direct medical care to patients needing intensive medical treatment, including those with septic shock, cardiogenic shock, acute respiratory failure, stroke, multi-organ failure, and traumatic brain injury.
- Manage life support equipment and monitor adequacy of ventilation and patient airway.
- Assist in emergency intubations and codes, administer life-saving medications, perform CPR/manual bag resuscitation, and maintain ICU pumps and drips.
- Assess patients’ condition, quickly notified physicians of any changes as well as prepared and implemented patient care plans.
- Provide cardiac monitoring as well as interpret and detect life threating arrythmias.
- Utilize therapeutic communication with patients and family members, help facilitate end of life conversations, and provide support and education.
Registered Nurse (PACU)
The Carney Center
07.2022 - 07.2023
- Closely monitored patients’ vital signs, assessed pain levels, and ensuring a smooth recovery process resulting in improved patient outcomes.
- Administered medications and IV therapies and monitored for adverse reactions.
- Educated patients and families on postoperative care instructions ensuring a comfortable transition to home recovery.
Registered Nurse (Operating Room)
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
07.2022 - 07.2023
- Maintained a safe and sterile surgical environment.
- Administers medications and monitors IV
- Collaborated with the surgical team to ensure the highest safety and surgical standards for the patient.
- Assist anesthesia with intubations using the Glidescope and assist in nerve blocks.
- Assesses patient pre/intra/post-operative for complications or change in baseline condition.
- Assists in safe and proper patient positioning and ensures skin is protected to avoid skin breakdown.
- Transfers patient to PACU/ICU upon surgery completion and gives detailed report to Registered Nurses.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Registered Nursing
Medical Careers Institute, College of Health Science of ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA05.2021
Pre-Nursing Courses
Tidewater Community College
Virginia Beach, VA08.2018
Skills
- Hemodynamic Monitoring (Arterial Lines, CVP)
- Mechanical Ventilator Management/Airway Support
- IV Therapy/Medication Administration/Critical Drips
- Patient Assessment/Rapid/Code Response (ACLS)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Critical Thinking/Attention to Detail
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration/Clear Communication
- EMR Documentation (Epic)/ Microsoft
- Time Management/Task Prioritization
- Adaptability in fast-paced, evolving environments
- Clinical Workflow Optimization
- Risk Assessment/Quality Assurance/Regulatory Compliance
Certification
- Registered Nurse (Multi-State Privilege-Compact Designation) Active License: March 2022
- Basic Life Support/Advanced Cardiac Life Support (American Heart Association) Expires: December 2025
Timeline
Registered Nurse (Intensive Care Unit)
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
07.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse (Intensive Care Unit)
Sentara Obici Hospital
07.2023 - 07.2025
Registered Nurse (PACU)
The Carney Center
07.2022 - 07.2023
Registered Nurse (Operating Room)
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
07.2022 - 07.2023
Pre-Nursing Courses
Tidewater Community College
Associate of Applied Science - Registered Nursing
Medical Careers Institute, College of Health Science of ECPI University