Adrienne D Gorrell

Early Spark: My interest in critical care nursing began in college at Wilkes University, where my professor’s relentless “Why?” and “What else?” questions challenged me to think deeply and problem-solve.

First ICU Experience: Working in a rural Pennsylvania ICU during clinicals taught me the importance of troubleshooting independently and sharing well-organized data to support providers’ decisions.

Hard Work Recognized: I was honored to receive the Excellence in Clinical Award upon graduation—a recognition I credit to the great mentors and hands-on learning experiences I had.

Starting Out: My ICU journey began at Raritan Bay Medical Center, where limited resources pushed me to learn quickly and think critically. With no intensivists and paper charting, I had to rely on my assessments to guide treatment.

Ventilator Management: I gained confidence managing ventilators and interpreting ABGs as I worked with slow, methodical weaning processes almost daily.

Welcoming Change: When intensivists joined our unit, I embraced the evidence-based practices they introduced, like sedation wake-ups and spontaneous breathing trials, and became an advocate for these changes.

Current Role: At UCSF, I work full-time in the cardiothoracic ICU, caring for patients with complex needs like mechanical circulatory support and continuous dialysis.

Growth Mindset: I still rely on the basics I learned early in my career but have grown more comfortable managing high-acuity patients and collaborating with providers on treatment plans.

Always Learning: I’m fascinated by understanding the “why” behind my patients’ responses and constantly look for ways to support decision-making and improve outcomes.

CRNA Ambition: Becoming a CRNA feels like the next step in my growth. I know the journey will be humbling, but I’m ready to take on the challenge and learn how to think like a provider.

Big Picture Goal: My hope is to contribute meaningfully to health care while staying true to the values and lessons that have guided me so far.