Since 2012, I have dedicated my career to critical care excellence, joining the Cardiovascular Surgical ICU (CSICU) at UNC Rex in 2020. After completing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I transitioned into a provider role as an Advanced Practice Provider (APP). I currently specialize in the comprehensive management of high-acuity surgical patients, collaborating with both the Cardiac Surgical Specialists and Vascular Surgical Specialists teams. As an APP, I view my role as pivotal across the entire perioperative continuum. I am not just focused on the surgery itself, but on the entire trajectory of a patient's recovery. By utilizing my DNP training and prioritizing outcomes data, I aim to identify opportunities for improvement and refine clinical pathways. This helps ensure that every cardiac and vascular patient we treat receives the gold standard of care, translating a successful operation into a meaningful long-term recovery.