Clinical Experiences

Total clinical hours completed ~ 1068 hours

Immersion: Rush University Medical Center - Surgical ICU ~ 240 hours

I completed a 8 week full time immersion/internship at Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) Surgical ICU (SICU) under the supervision of a clinical preceptor. Over the course of the immersion period I gradually took on the responsibilities of a nurse and by the conclusion I was able to operate independently. My responsibilities included all expected responsibilities of an ICU nurse, including shift report, assessments, medication administration, hourly rounding, documenting, patient and family education, building therapeutic relationships, interdisciplinary collaboration, teamwork, critical thinking, and delegating, etc. 

I am highly motivated by this dynamic healthcare setting.  I appreciated the challenge of working with critical patients, where decisions were made quickly and anticipatory interventions were necessary to keep maintain patient safety and influence their health status in a positive manner. 

Critical Care Skills

• Telemetry
• Hemodynamic monitoring
• Titration of vasoactive drips
• Sedatives (Propofol)
• IVs, Blood draws
• Vent care
• Extubation
• Trach care
• Ostomy care
• Catheters
• NG Tube
• G Tube
• Swan-Ganz
• Art line
• PICC
• Triage
• Surgical dressings
• Wound care
• Sutures, staples
• Pre-op/post-op protocols
• EKG interpretation

Clinical Rotations

Cardiac ICU ~ 60 hours

RUMC 9N Atrium ~ Medical/Surgical Unit ~ 60 hours

RUMC NICU ~ 48 hours

RUMC General Pediatric Unit ~ 12 hours

RUMC Emergency Department ~ 12 hours

RUMC PICU ~ 12 hours

Elmhurst Edwards Hospital - Mother/Baby ~ 52 hours

      - Labor & Delivery

       - PICU

       - Triage

Chicago Lakeshore Hospital ~ Pediatric Psychiatric Inpatient ~ 60 hours

      - Inpatient pediatric unit 

       - Children between 4-18 years of age

       - Variety of psychiatric disorders, DCFS involvement and parental conflict

Haymarket Center - Addiction Treatment Center ~ Incarcerated Mothers Unit ~ 60 hours

       - Individual therapy

       - Group therapy

       - Trauma Counseling

       - Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT)

       - 12-step self-help recovery network

       - Family Education

Public Health - Simpson Academy - Pregnant and parenting mothers ~ 96 hours

RUMC 7S Atrium ~ Medical Surgical Unit ~ 150 hours

RUMC 14E Tower ~ Heme/BMT Oncology Unit ~ 150 hours

Self Directed Clinical Hours ~ 56 hours