Nursing Profiles

Sandra K.

Pittsburgh, PA
RN, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit

I have always been interested in research. When I was about nine, I set up a laboratory with a microscope to study specimens my dad brought home from work at a meat packing plant. Then, when my dad became ill, I helped with his daily care and found I liked caring for people. My mom said I had a knack for it and encouraged me to enter nursing. I've stayed in clinical nursing my whole career. After 18 months in pediatrics, I switched to adult cardiac critical care. I've seen many changes in cardiovascular nursing. In the early days, patients in heart failure were prescribed a nitroglycerin tablet to "unload" the heart. Then, IV nipride, nitroglycerin and dobutamine became available. Today, in addition, patients can be placed on intra-aortic balloon pumps. I've learned all I can about each new technology, and I'm proud that I've developed a level of expertise that allows me to serve as a resource for colleagues. I also use my nursing skills when "signing" for the deaf in their interactions with medical and legal personnel. Of my 24 years at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, all but five—spent in the catheterization lab, emergency department, or medical ICU—have been in the cardiovascular ICU. And I still look forward to every workday.