Personal Statement:

My name is Rachel Kline. I am a senior at the University of South Florida, and I will graduate in May 2024. During my time at the University of South Florida I have been able to explore many of my passions both inside and outside of the classroom. I am highly involved on-campus and I have enjoyed my time serving in leadership teams on campus. The leadership roles that have been the most meaningful for me have been my time serving as a resident assistant, a peer tutor coordinator, and as vice president of the Bull Nurses for Critical Care Club. In addition to these positions, I also work as a Nurse Technician on the Transplant 1 Unit at Tampa General Hospital. 

In my role as a Nurse Technician, I care for patients either experiencing complications or recovering from kidney, liver, lung, or heart transplants along with patients with a Ventricular Assistive Device (VAD). This experience emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in improving patient outcomes post-transplant surgery, further developed my passion for providing holistic care for my patients, and gave me the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of my patients. 

As a Resident Assistant, I worked in the Pre-Nursing Living Learning Community (LLC) which allowed me to serve as a mentor for first-year students with the goal of gaining acceptance to the College of Nursing. This position refined my soft skills, such as time management, communication, and interdiciplinary team work. My time as a Resident Assistant also taught me the importance of providing emotional and psychological support to my residents though their transition to the college setting. Another significant experience during my time at the University of South Florida was the process of publishing undergraduate research. I presented my research thesis titled "Homeland Security in a Clinical Setting" at five research conferences, earned the 2022 General Disciplinary Award in Health Sciences in the 2022 University of South Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, and published my thesis in The Macksey Journal published by John Hopkins University. 

Outside of my academic and career pursuits, I enjoy traveling, long-distance hiking, and have participated on a competitive rock climbing team. A fun fact about me is that I have hiked the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim of the Grand Canyon! I am also an involved member of the University of South Florida Rotaract club where I volunteer with my peers to in multiple community projects around Tampa Bay. 

I am eager to learn and gain hands on healthcare experience. Throughout my nursing education, I have sought out additional opportunities beyond my nursing curriculum. Through these experiences, I have developed a passion for pediatric critical care. Motivated by experiences emphasizing attention to detail, effective communication, and adaptability in high-pressure situations, I aim to establish meaningful relationships with patients and families in the Pediatric ICU. My diverse experiences, leadership, and commitment to patient-centered care position me as a promising candidate for a critical care focused nurse residency program. Eager to contribute, expand my knowledge, and make a positive impact on my patients through critical care nursing, I look forward to discussing how my passion aligns with your institutions vision exceptional patient care.

Why do I want to work as a nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)? 

As a senior in the final stage of my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, I am eagerly looking forward to embarking on a rewarding career in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. My journey into nursing has been shaped by an unwavering dedication to patient care, a thirst for knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the field of healthcare. 

A defining moment in my pursuit of a career in pediatric critical care was the opportunity to observe a pediatric open-heart surgery, including the placement of a Berlin Left Ventricular Assist Device (VAD). This infant was born with severe aortic stenosis and a congenital defect which caused formation of only one of the normal three cusps in the aortic valve. Due to that congenital deformity, the child presented with aortic stenosis which failed to improve with a previous procedure done with the intent to improve blood flow through the aorta. Due to this, the patient developed left sided heart failure and was placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant. As a temporary measure to improve blood flow to the body while waiting on a donor heart, the patient was sent to University of Florida Health Shands Hospital to get a Berlin device placed. The patient came into the operating room sedated, on a ventilator, and on ECMO to bypass blood flow to the heart.  Observing this surgery opened my eyes to the field of pediatric critical care and the work done within this field to improve the lives of children and their families. This experience combined with my clinical rotations on pediatric floors and specifically in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, has been pivotal in shaping my career aspirations. Witnessing the intricate balance of technology, skill, and compassionate care in such a high-stakes environment has fueled my commitment to this field.

During my final semester, I have the incredible opportunity to precept in the Vascular ICU at Tampa General Hospital. This experience reinforced my passion for providing holistic care to my ICU patients.On the Vascular ICU, I’ve gained a greater exposure to the ICU setting and learned about nursing care for patients with conditions such as abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysms, pseudo-aneurysms, and vascular dissections. I have also learned about technology utilized in the ICU setting such as CRRT, ventilators, catheters to measure central venous pressure, and arterial-lines.

Throughout my clinical education, I had the privilege of immersing myself in a variety of healthcare settings, spanning from medical-surgical units to specialized care in the, Neurology Progressive Care Unit, Cardiac Progressive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU). These experiences have equipped me with a clinical skill set that I aim to bring to the Intensive Care Unit, where meticulous attention to detail, effective communication, and adaptability in high-pressure situations are essential for success. In addition to this, I have independently sought out additional opportunities outside of my nursing program to explore the role of a nurse working on these units though both in-person and virtual shadowing. Through these experiences, I have developed a deeper passion for working as a member of the interdisciplinary care team in a critical care setting. 

My role as a Nurse Technician in the Transplant 1 Unit at Tampa General Hospital was pivotal in shaping my development as a nursing student. This experience provided me with a unique perspective on patient care, as I was responsible for individuals facing a range of challenges, from those grappling with transplant complications to those in the process of recuperating from heart or lung transplants, including patients with Ventricular Assistive Devices (VADs). One remarkable aspect of my role was the constant emphasis on interdisciplinary teamwork, underscoring the need for seamless coordination among various healthcare professionals. This environment required unwavering vigilance and the relentless pursuit of excellence in patient care. Notably, many of the post-surgical patients in Transplant 1 transitioned from the ICU or the PACU and arrived with specific medical needs. These patients would be transferred to our unit with chest tubes, wound vacuums, or Jackson-Pratt surgical drains, highlighting the critical importance of attentive and specialized care.In addition, patients on this unit experiencing medical complications following their transplant, such as organ rejection and infections, added another layer of complexity to our patient population. These individuals demanded continuous cardiac monitoring and pulse oximetry monitoring, sometimes necessitating the use of a heated high-flow nasal cannula to optimize their respiratory function. Throughout my clinical experiences as both a nursing student and as a Nurse Technician in the  Transplant 1 Unit, I had the greatest interest in providing care to patients undergoing surgery and who were navigating the intricate post-operative recovery process related to transplant surgery. 

My time as a Resident Assistant in the University of South Florida College of Nursing Living Learning Community has allowed me to cultivate valuable soft skills, including peer leadership, time management, project coordination, mentorship, and effective communication. Over two years in this role, I refined my crisis management abilities, connected residents with vital resources, and nurtured an environment that fostered growth and well-being. These experiences have underscored the importance of providing not only physical care but also emotional and psychological support to patients and their families during their most vulnerable moments. My prior experiences as a Patient Care Technician and a Resident Assistant have prepared me to collaborate seamlessly with a multidisciplinary team in the dynamic Intensive Care Unit setting. Additionally, I have also served as the Vice President of the Bull Nurses for Critical Care Club. This involvement has enabled me to explore various career pathways within the intensive care unit, such as subspecialties and long-term career prospects. 

As a new graduate nurse, I am keen to immerse myself in the intricacies of nursing in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. My goal is to be an integral part of a collaborative interdisciplinary team and to gain comprehensive knowledge in caring for As a nurse, I want to establish meaningful relationships with my patients and their families and to provide both nursing care and education which last throughout a patients stay in the critical care setting. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to the critical care of patients, continually expanding my knowledge, and upholding the highest standards of nursing practice.  I am eager to bring my passion for pediatric nursing and my commitment to excellence in patient care to the Pediatric ICU team. I am confident that my background and skills make me a strong candidate for this position. I am both eager and prepared to embark on this journey, steadfast in my commitment to becoming an exemplary new graduate nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.