Nicole Fornelos

Provide specialized care for patients recovering from anesthesia across the lifespan in a high-acuity, fast-paced in-patient PACU.

• Cared for 4–10 critically ill postoperative patients per shift, coordinating interdisciplinary care to ensure optimal recovery.
• Assess airway patency, neurological status, hemodynamic stability, pain control, and readiness for discharge using standardized recovery criteria.
• Manage critical infusions, emergency medications, advanced monitoring equipment, and postoperative complications.
• Served as a certified unit preceptor for newly hired nurses.
• Contributed to Shared Governance Quality Improvement Committee, enhancing documentation compliance and patient outcomes.
• Achieved PACT Award twice for clinical excellence, leadership, and commitment to professional development.
• Recognized as a Magnet healthcare institution and awarded ACCN Unit-based Silver Beacon Award

• Delivered comprehensive care in a 14-bed ICU caring for medical, surgical, cardiac, and neurological patients.
• Managed mechanically ventilated patients, invasive monitoring devices, vasoactive infusions, CRRT, TTM, and complex postoperative recoveries.
• Participated in Code Blue responses, collaborating with multidisciplinary team to ensure timely and effective critical care management.
• Completed AACN Nurse Residency Program.
• Educated patients and families on treatment plans, disease processes, and end-of-life care to enhance understanding and support decision-making.
• Demonstrated strong clinical judgment and organization, rapidly responding to changes in patient condition to optimize care outcomes.