SARITA PANDEY

As a Progressive Care Unit RN in a Veterans Hospital, I play a crucial role in delivering intermediate-level care to patients who are too ill for a general medical-surgical unit but not critical enough for the ICU. Here's a breakdown of the typical responsibilities.

• Monitor and assess patients with complex conditions (e.g., cardiac, respiratory, post-surgical).
• Administer medications, and manage IVs, catheters, and other medical equipment.
• Interpret telemetry and diagnostic results to guide care decisions.
• Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement care plans.
• Educate patients and families on disease management and recovery.
• Respond to emergencies and changes in patient conditions swiftly.
• Document patient progress, and maintain accurate medical records.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and assess patients with acute cardiac conditions (e.g., heart attacks, arrhythmias, heart failure).
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.
• Operate advanced cardiac equipment, including: ventilators, intra-aortic balloon pumps, and cardiac monitors.
• Respond to emergencies such as cardiac arrest, or sudden arrhythmias.
• Provide post-operative care for patients recovering from cardiac surgeries.
• Educate patients and families on cardiac conditions, treatments, and lifestyle changes.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (cardiologists, respiratory therapists, and surgeons).
• Maintain accurate documentation of patient care and response.

• Led comprehensive care for 30-bed unit, focusing on patients with dementia and neurocognitive disorders.
  Administered medications in accordance with treatment protocols.
  Collaborated with physicians to develop and implement patient-centered care plans.
  Supervised unit team, ensuring adherence to best practices and quality standards.

As an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) nurse, I provided critical care to patients with life-threatening conditions. We were responsible for constant monitoring and rapid response to changes in a patient’s condition.

• Monitor vital signs, and assess patient conditions.
• Administer medications, and manage life-support equipment.
• Collaborate with physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
• Maintain accurate patient records and documentation.
• Provide emotional support to patients and their families.
• Follow strict infection control and safety protocols.

Pulmonary ICU – staff and charge nurse – May 2013 to Dec 2019. Worked as part of the pulmonary treatment team, utilizing critical thinking, assessment, and delivery of care to patients with respiratory conditions like pulmonary edema, exacerbation of COPD, and asthma, requiring advanced life support and monitoring.

Orthopedics Unit - Dec 2006 to April 2013: Comprehensive care for patients with hip and knee replacements, and spine surgeries (preoperative and postoperative).

ICU nurse for 16 bed Med- Surgical ICU, delivering care to critical patients with
complex conditions (Mechanical ventilation, CVP and arterial line care etc)