Kirstin C. Del Pizzo, BSN, RN, SCRN

By Erin Flynn Jay

Kirstin Del Pizzo decided to become a Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN®) to benefit her patients. Taking the exam showed that she has a certain level of competency and the knowledge to care for patients appropriately because “there are certain numbers you need to know—blood pressure, intercranial pressure, etc. Just the other day I had a family ask me about why the patient was presenting a certain way. Having the certification helped me to answer those questions,” she said.

Nursing is a second career for Del Pizzo. She previously worked as a pharmacy technician, so making such a big change was scary. Never had she been in direct care of a patient. After graduating from nursing school, Del Pizzo worked in a neuro ICU at Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience in Philadelphia before becoming an SCRN® in July 2018. “Working in the neuro ICU can be stressful at times but there are moments you always remember that make it worthwhile. One patient I remember had a hemorrhagic stroke and was not following commands. I had the patient four days in a row and got to know the patient's family, who was there every day,” said Del Pizzo. “By my last day the patient was finally responding to voice and following commands. When I left the hospital after my fourth shift, the patient's family member hugged me with tears in their eyes and thanked me for all I had done. Moments like those make my job rewarding.” She decided to certify to let her patients and their family members know that she has that level of competence to take care of them appropriately.

Del Pizzo SCRN story began by preparing for the SCRN® exam by using a study guide that included an app and questions. The most difficult part about becoming certified was finding the time to study. Del Pizzo not only has her full-time job but she also has a second job as a hospice nurse. Since she already works on a neuro unit, a lot of the exam content came easy to her. Del Pizzo only sees patients in the hospital so the rehab section was more difficult for her.

The best study tactic she used to prepare for the exam was notecards and the app. Being able to have something when she was on the go and had 5 minutes of downtime to review was key. The practice questions were the best part. Del Pizzo gave herself two months to study and was well prepared for the exam.

Del Pizzo works 12-hour shifts. They rotate so she can be working either overnight or day shifts. The ratio is 2:1; two patients to one nurse. There is never a typical day in the ICU because of patient acuity.

Del Pizzo feels she helps her patients the most by being an advocate for them. “We have a lot of say in patients’ treatment. We are the first line to let them know when something is different. With stroke patients, one little change can be a big thing,” she said.

Del Pizzo plans to seek additional certifications and is hoping to take her Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) exam soon. Just like the SCRN®, obtaining her CCRN is important not only for her patients but for herself as well. By passing the CCRN exam, she will be able to demonstrate that she has a certain level of knowledge to safely take care of critically ill patients and it gives her a sense of professional accomplishment.

 

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