Monica Niemczewski, BSN, RN, CCRN
5340 Wilkinson Ave. Unit 2, Valley Village,CA
Summary
Highly skilled certified pediatric CVICU/PICU nurse with 18 years of advanced clinical expertise and proven leadership skills. Utilizing evidence-based nursing care to provide compassionate, family-centered patient care in fast-paced environments. An eager learner seeking opportunities for continued growth and professional development, particularly in the Program of Nurse Anesthesia at the University of Southern California.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
CTICU Travel Registered Nurse
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
01.2023 - 06.2023
- Demonstrated expertise in caring for patients with complex congenital heart diseases in a high-pressure environment
- Oversaw the management of airways through proficiency in mechanical ventilation methods and facilitating emergent intubations with the assistance of providers.
- Engaged in collaborative efforts with diverse team members to ensure patient advocacy
- Conducted assessments of patient and family's psychological,, spiritual,, developmental,, educational,,and cultural needs.
- Delivered patient and family education based on proven protocols and evidenced-based research
- Evaluated arterial/venous blood gas readings to customize the delivery of supplemental oxygen for patients based on their specific needs.
CTICU Travel Registered Nurse
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Palo Alto, CA
09.2022 - 12.2022
- Experienced in delivering excellent patient care at a Magnet-Recognized Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center
- Expertly addressed complex cases of congenital cardiac diseases
- Titrated and managed vasoactive medications such as milrinone, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine to enhance cardiovascular stability.
- Managed post operative patients with open chests, pacemakers, chest tubes, central and arterial lines, pre/post heart transplant care, and post cardiac catheterization
PICU/CTICU Travel Registered Nurse
UCLA Health
Los Angeles, CA
12.2021 - 08.2022
- Monitored cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, hemodynamic monitoring via arterial and venous catheters, ICP monitoring, extra ventricular drains, and CVP monitoring
- Providing ICU level care to pre and post operative patients
- Swiftly and skillfully adapted to alterations in patient condition or treatment plan.
CTICU/PICU Travel Registered Nurse
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
06.2020 - 12.2021
- Served as a dedicated Travel Nurse in CTICU for one year, followed by three months in PICU, delivering high-quality healthcare services.
- Level 1 Trauma Center, Magnet Recognition, Number 1 in California & Pacific region per U.S. News and World Report
- Provided comprehensive care for critically ill pediatric patients with conditions such as sepsis, acute respiratory failure, renal and liver diseases, and complex congenital heart defects
- Administered vasoactive, inotropic, and sedation medications while titrating dosages. Skilled in assisting during bedside procedures including arterial and venous catheter placement, chest tube insertions, and emergent tracheostomy.
- Collaborated with patients and families, coordinating care with multidisciplinary team to deliver evidence-based care
PICU Travel Registered Nurse
Ventura County Medical Center
Ventura, CA
02.2020 - 05.2020
- Level II Trauma Center, six-bed PICU
- Provided care to patients with trauma, chronically and mechanically ventilated, tracheostomies, and overdose, administered sedation for scheduled observational procedures
- Leadership: relief charge nurse
Patient Care Operations Manager
Lurie Children's Hospital Of Chicago
Chicago , IL
06.2018 - 01.2020
- Drove the growth and development of a team consisting of 40 direct reports, contributing to the progress and skill enhancement of about 130 Full-time equivalents (FTEs)
- Developed and implemented the Clinical Excellence Mentor Role providing staff with on the spot education, improving quality and patient outcomes, while developing leadership skills of nurses in the role
- Facilitated quarterly rotating charge nurse meetings, promoting leadership and emotional intelligence development in collaboration with a professional empowerment coach to enhance unit effectiveness.
- Spearheaded improvements in discharge processes across the organization through active participation in the hospital-wide discharge committee, collaborating with diverse members from various disciplines.
- Facilitated weekly check ins with patient's families to enhancing communication and improving patient satisfaction scores.
Cardiac Care Unit Staff Registered Nurse
Lurie Children's Hospital Of Chicago
Chicago , IL
09.2006 - 11.2021
- Delivered specialized care to pediatric patients on a surgical/cardiac step-down unit between September 2006 and May 2012.
- Achieved remarkable accolades including being a Level 1 Trauma institution, five-time recipient of Magnet Recognition, and recognized as the best Children's Hospital in Illinois according to U.S. News & World Report.
- Assumed responsibilities as the primary charge nurse on a high-volume, fast-paced 44-bed acuity adaptable unit with more than 20 nurses
- Specialized in caring for acute and intensive care pediatric cardiac patients on mechanical ventilation, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) -including completing ECMO specialist fill in role, Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD), vasoactive and inotropic medication management, sedation and neuromuscular blocking agent administration
- Performed analysis of hemodynamic changes, managed arrhythmias, and interpreted vital lab test outcomes.
- Assisted in bedside procedures including delayed chest closures, chest tube insertion/removal, and central venous and arterial catheter placement
- Precepted and mentored new and experienced nurses
- Enhanced patient and family experience by effectively communicating information about available care resources and providing timely assistance.
PICU Travel Registered Nurse
Loma Linda University Children's Hospital
Loma Linda, CA
11.2023 - 05.2024
- Managed ventilator and airway care for critically ill pediatric patients with sepsis, respiratory failure, trauma, and neurological issues.
- Worked collectively with diverse teams in order to attend to patients' holistic needs including medical, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects.
- Closely monitored hemodynamics and expertly titrated vasoactive medications while managing sedation of ventilated patients.
- Assisted educating new nursing staff and healthcare personnel to enhance skills through the sharing of knowledge and implementation of best practices.
Pediatric ICU Float Nurse
UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
06.2024 - Current
- Manage ventilator settings for mechanically ventilated patients in accordance with physician orders.
- Identify potential risk factors by assessing patients' physical condition prior to transfer between ICU and acute floor settings.
- Demonstrate proficiency in delivering high level nursing care to several intensive care units in the hospital
- Expertise care in PICU, Pediatric CVICU, and NICU.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Purdue University Calumet
Hammond, IN12.2012
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL05.2006
Skills
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Vasoactive & Inotropic Titration
- Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
- Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)
- Cardiac Arrest & Cardiogenic Shock
- Hemodynamic Monitoring
- Sedation and Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
- Charge Nurse & Nursing Leadership Role
- Pre/Post Operative Complex Congenital Heart Diseases and Cardiac Transplantation
Licensure & Certifications
- Registered Nurse (BSN), Illinois Board of Nursing Expires May 31, 2026
- Registered Nurse (SBN), California Board of Nursing Expires July 31, 2025
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Certified
- American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certified
- Pediatric Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) - Pediatric Expires: December 2026
Leadership & Professional Development
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses Member (Current)
- American Association of Nurse Anesthesia Waitlist Member (Pending approval 09/2024)
- Blockhead Brigade - Head Dog-Community Resource Developer for low-income communities (current)
- Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program (Current)
- CRNA School Prep Academy Mentorship Program Member (2022-2024)
- Strube Anesthesia LLC - Pre-Anesthesia Nurse Anesthesia Intern Year Program (2023)
- Charge Nurse 2007-2021
- Joint Commission Scribe 2019
- Voalte Phone Superuser 2019
- Pain Resource RN - ChildKind Hospital - Hospital-wide Committee Member & Unit Liaison (2017-2020)
- Discharge Planning Team 2019-2020
- Advisor to Nursing Council and Bereavement Committee 2018-2020
- Transport Team Committee 2018-2020
- CCU BBQ Unit Committee member 2017-2019
- Pride and Progression Committee Committee Chair 2007-2010 Committee Member 2012-2018
- Epic Superuser 2008
- El Bosque del Caribe Spanish Immersion Program in Mexico - 100 hours completed at Intermediate Level 1 (2008)
Additional Information
- Angel City Paws: Los Angeles, CA (2021 - current)
- Blockhead Brigade: Long Beach, CA (2021 - current)
- One Tail at a Time: Chicago, IL (2018 - 2023)
- PAWS Chicago: Chicago, IL (2005-2010)
Shadow Experience
CRNA Shadow Experience
- Endeavor Health, Evanston, IL
Shadowed Francesco Sessa, CRNA
May 23, 2024 8 hours of shadowing experience
- CANA Conference, October 2023
Mentored by Dr. Kristen Roman, CRNA - Interview with Dr. Peter Strube, CRNA, November 2023
- NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL
Adult Anesthesia Care Shadowed Francesco Sessa, CRNA
August 2022 8 hours of shadowing experience
- Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Pediatric Anesthesia Care Shadowed Sally Wallin, CRNA
September 20218 hours of shadowing experience
Timeline
Pediatric ICU Float Nurse
UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center
06.2024 - Current
PICU Travel Registered Nurse
Loma Linda University Children's Hospital
11.2023 - 05.2024
CTICU Travel Registered Nurse
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
01.2023 - 06.2023
CTICU Travel Registered Nurse
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
09.2022 - 12.2022
PICU/CTICU Travel Registered Nurse
UCLA Health
12.2021 - 08.2022
CTICU/PICU Travel Registered Nurse
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
06.2020 - 12.2021
PICU Travel Registered Nurse
Ventura County Medical Center
02.2020 - 05.2020
Patient Care Operations Manager
Lurie Children's Hospital Of Chicago
06.2018 - 01.2020
Cardiac Care Unit Staff Registered Nurse
Lurie Children's Hospital Of Chicago
09.2006 - 11.2021
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Purdue University Calumet
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
College of DuPage