Vanessa Capadagli

• Evaluate and screen potential organ donors by thoroughly reviewing hospital records, analyzing laboratory results, diagnostics, and other tests, and documenting required data in the organ donor Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Collaborate with the Clinical Administrator On-call (CAOC) or designee to assess organ donor and organ suitability.
• Direct the comprehensive critical care medical management of critically ill organ donors in the ICU, including
  Conducting physical assessments and examinations
  Ordering, interpreting, analyzing, and prescribing therapeutic treatments for diagnostic testing abnormalities (e.g., chest x-rays, EKGs, arterial blood gases, bronchoscopy)
  Optimizing pulmonary function through ventilator monitoring and management
  Diagnosing and treating common conditions found in critically ill organ donors
• Document all organ donor care and ensure compliance with relevant quality standards and regulations
• Coordinate all aspects of multi-organ recovery in the operating room, ensuring proper documentation of recovered organs, biopsies, packaging, labeling, transportation, and charting in accordance with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) policies
• Collaborate with hospital care teams to assess clinical situations and plan care, especially concerning brain death evaluation or withdrawal of support
• Educate hospital care and organ recovery teams on the organ donation process, including preparation, equipment, sterilization, staff roles, critical timing, and overall surgical recovery procedures
• Search organ donor registry(ies) to verify the patient’s donation decision
• Intraoperative management of brain dead organ donors.
• Preceptor for new hire donation coordinators.
• Evaluated records and risk assessment information for preliminary donor eligibility.
• Supported local families in crisis by advocating for needed donations.

Provided high-acuity care to adult, adolescent, and geriatric populations in a Level 1 Trauma Center, primarily within the Surgical ICU (P4). Initially hired as a staff nurse, transitioned to travel nursing, later rejoined as a member of the internal float pool before returning to a dedicated SICU position.

• Managed complex patients with trauma, gunshot wounds, motor vehicle crashes, neurological injuries, vascular repair, and organ transplants (liver, kidney, pancreas).
• Provided comprehensive care across all phases of perioperative management; experienced with CRRT, SLED, sepsis, respiratory failure, and liver failure.
• Served in the ICU float pool, with consistent assignments to P4 SICU.
• Recognized for teamwork, rapid assessment skills, and high-quality patient outcomes in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

University of New Mexico Hospital – Neurosciences ICU
Albuquerque, NM | April 2017 – October 2017

• Managed complex neuro cases: strokes, craniotomies, lumbar drains, subdural drains, ICP monitoring
• Assisted with bedside procedures: tracheostomies, PEG tubes, lumbar punctures
• Provided comfort and end-of-life care; managed respiratory failure

Banner Ironwood Medical Center – MOSU
San Tan Valley, AZ | January 2017 – March 2017

• Delivered observation-level care for patients with sepsis, chest pain, respiratory failure, and influenza

Abrazo Central Campus – Neuro ICU
Phoenix, AZ | October 2016 – January 2017

• Treated patients with stroke, pneumonia, DKA, and alcohol withdrawal
• Performed frequent and detailed neurological assessments

Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Medical ICU
Nampa, ID | July 2016 – October 2016

• Focused on geriatric patients with post-op complications, sepsis, MI, pneumonia, and DKA

Carolinas Medical Center – Pineville – Medical ICU
Pineville, NC | November 2015 – July 2016

• Treated patients with sepsis, respiratory failure, and post-MI/cardiac arrest; provided therapeutic hypothermia
• Floated to progressive step-down unit ~20% of shifts