Rachel Rodriguez
Seattle,WA
Summary
Passionate RN with hands-on experience in both the Post Anesthesia Care Unit & SICU with talent for navigating challenges & possessing strong critical thinking skills. Provides strong problem-solving skills with proactive approach to new tasks when challenged. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing process in the PACU & critical care nursing units.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, Surgical Intensive Care Unit
V.A. Puget Sound Health Care System
01.2012 - Current
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patient's acuity levels and individual needs.
- Performs as a Charge Nurse on all shifts and providing critical support & vital communication between Surgical Services, NODs, Acute Care Units, PACU, EMS, and Logistics.
- Provides critical care to Veterans in both ICU's medical surgical units, bone marrow unit, and acute care units when floated to other unit.
- Conducts thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians & initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Trained on all necessary ICU devices including Blood warmer, Cardiac Pacemakers, Continuous Cardiac Output Monitor (Hemosphere), Accuman, Ventilators, and other ICU equipment.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students and new ICU RNs providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Uses clinical expertise and critical thinking skills to advocate for patients.
- Delivers high level of nursing care to diverse Veteran populations in admissions, discharges, and triaging based on acuity and appropriate disposition.
Registered Nurse Post Anesthesia Care Unit
V.A. Puget Sound Health Care System
2015 - 2021
- Involved with the National PACU workgroup that created the VA-PAS Scoring System that replaced the Aldrete Scoring System for Phase-1 PACU Recovery in 2017-2019.
- Highly skilled to monitor vital signs and levels of consciousness to determine if anesthesia sedation wore off appropriately.
- Provided PACU training in collaboration with two other Nurses to all SICU Registered Nurse in 2024 and to MICU Registered in 2018.
- Implemented two training tools (PACU Innovian Quick Guide & PACU Resource Guide) for RNs to utilize while working & floating to the PACU In 2024.
- Precepted and trained newly hired PACU RNs.
- Delivered comprehensive nursing care in the PACU setting by managing post pain, nausea/vomiting, bleeding, and hemodynamics.
- Demonstrates proper airway management techniques such as oral airways, nasal trumpets, LMAs, ventilators and can recognize and manage airway emergency situations.
- Supported colleagues during high-stress situations through open communication channels that foster teamwork dynamics conducive towards an efficient working environment.
- Accurately completes Innovian charting records in the post-operative phase and is trained as an Innovian Super-User. Records in detail the therapy and treatments used in the PACU.
- Quickly responds to situations impacting safety of the unit to control and de-escalate situations.
Registered Nurse & VALOR Student
V.A. Puget Sound Health Care System
06.2008 - 01.2012
- VALOR Student RN from 2008-2009 then hired as a full-time Registered Nurse in September 2009.
- Performed as a Charge Nurse on all shifts.
- Successfully completed ICU consortium & passed the Consortium test provided by the Mountain to Sound chapter of AACN.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Implemented standing PRN electrolyte orders specific to the MTU in-conjunction with MTU pharmacy, Nurse Manager, & Director of the BMTU.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students and newly hired RNs providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the BMTU by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery while giving Bone Marrow Transplants & Chemotherapy.
Education
Bachelor of Science - BSN in Nursing
Seattle University
Seattle, WA08-2009
Bachelor of Science - Heath & Human Performance/Athletic Training
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT01-2000
Skills
- Co-Chair of the Donor Committee
- ACLS/BLS Certification
- Honest, dependable, team-oriented, attentive to detail
- Super-user for Innovian, ICCA, BCMA, CADD Pumps Telemetry trained
Affiliations
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
- Mountain to Sound Chapter of American Association of Critical Care Nurses
- AACN
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Surgical Intensive Care Unit
V.A. Puget Sound Health Care System
01.2012 - Current
Registered Nurse & VALOR Student
V.A. Puget Sound Health Care System
06.2008 - 01.2012
Registered Nurse Post Anesthesia Care Unit
V.A. Puget Sound Health Care System
2015 - 2021
Bachelor of Science - BSN in Nursing
Seattle University
Bachelor of Science - Heath & Human Performance/Athletic Training
The University of Montana
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