Smarika Kowalski
Sacramento,CA
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse – Psychiatric Unit
Sutter Health
Sacramento, CA
10.2025 - Current
- Provide direct patient care to adult and geriatric patients with primary psychiatric/mental health conditions in an acute inpatient setting
- Conduct comprehensive psychiatric and medical assessments; assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized nursing care plans
- Safely administer psychotropic and medical medications, including PRN medications; monitor for adverse reactions and emergent medical conditions (e.g., anaphylaxis)
- Utilize Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) and trauma-informed care techniques to de-escalate behavioral crises and maintain a safe therapeutic environment
- Collaborate with psychiatrists, social workers, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care, discharge planning, and patient/caregiver education
- Demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical implications in psychiatric nursing and clinical documentation
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives and safety huddles to support evidence-based practice and optimal patient outcomes
ECT & Inpatient Psychiatric Registered Nurse (Float)
Heritage Oaks Hospital
Sacramento, CA
01.2022 - Current
- Provided nursing support for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedures in collaboration with psychiatry and anesthesia teams
- Floated to acute inpatient psychiatric units, delivering direct patient care to adults with primary psychiatric and behavioral health conditions
- Conducted focused psychiatric and medical assessments and monitored patients for post-procedure complications and emergent medical needs
- Safely administered medications and responded to acute behavioral and physiological changes
- Utilized therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques to maintain patient safety
- Educated patients and families regarding ECT procedures, expectations, and post-treatment recovery
Registered Nurse – Psychiatric Services
Sacramento Behavioral Health
Sacramento, CA
08.2022 - 10.2024
- Delivered direct nursing care to patients experiencing acute psychiatric crises in locked inpatient psychiatric units
- Performed psychiatric assessments, implemented treatment plans, and evaluated patient responses to interventions
- Administered medications and provided patient and family education related to mental health conditions and treatment plans
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care and adherence to safety protocols
Education
Master of Science - Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
01.2026
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University
Skills
- Psychiatric assessment and care coordination
- Crisis intervention
- Trauma-informed care
- Medication administration
- Patient safety
- Emergency response
- Anaphylaxis recognition
- Legal and ethical clinical documentation
- Evidence-based practice
- Performance improvement
- Medical terminology proficiency
- EMR systems (Epic, Cerner)
- Professional accountability
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
Certification
- California Registered Nurse License, Active, Unrestricted
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certified
Timeline
Registered Nurse – Psychiatric Unit
Sutter Health
10.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse – Psychiatric Services
Sacramento Behavioral Health
08.2022 - 10.2024
ECT & Inpatient Psychiatric Registered Nurse (Float)
Heritage Oaks Hospital
01.2022 - Current
Master of Science - Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University