Cassandra "Cassie" Kartsonas MSN, RN, CCRN

Highly motivated CCRN-certified critical care registered nurse with experience managing high-acuity ICU patients requiring complex hemodynamic, ventilatory, and pharmacologic support. Demonstrated leadership through quality improvement initiatives, evidence-based practice councils, and unit-level professional development projects, including contributions to AACN Beacon Award efforts. Committed to lifelong learning and pursuing nurse anesthesia education to expand clinical expertise and impact patient outcomes.

Registered Nurse (RN), Pennsylvania

License #: RN795662

• Critical-Care Registered Nurse (CCRN - Adult) American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) - October 2025
• Advanced Care Life Support (ACLS) - American Heart Association (AHA) - 2025
• Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association (AHA) - 2017
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA) - 2025

Quality Improvement (QI), Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Nursing Research Council

• Present member aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of care by ensuring nursing practices are based on reliable scientific knowledge
• Involves systematic approach to clinical-decision making that incorporates the best available evidence, patient values, and clinician expertise

AACN Member

• Reflects a professional commitment to excellence in critical care nursing, ongoing education, and evidence-based practice
• Provides access to current clinical resources, continuing education, practice guidelines, and professional development opportunities that support high-quality, patient-centered care in high-acuity settings.

Nurse Preceptor

• Provides one-on-one education, mentorship, and supervision to nursing students or new hires
• Teaches hands-on skills, clinical reasoning and decision making, overall aiming to help the nursing student transition to independent practice

Unit Champion

• Selected by physicians, fellow coworkers, patients, and/or families for consistently demonstrating clinical excellence, leadership, teamwork, and compassionate patient-centered care
• Recognition reflects a strong professional reputation, effective collaboration with the healthcare team, and a commitment to advocating for patients and supporting a positive unit culture

Superintendent’s Academic Achievement Award | Upper St. Clair High School | 2019

• In recognition for achieving an "A" in every course completed throughout my high school career and selected by the school's superintendent, Dr. John Rozzo, for outstanding student success and exceptional leadership

Magna Cum Laude | University Park, PA | December 2022

• "With great distinction" in the top 4% of my class, requiring a GPA of 3.92-3.98 in the Health and Human Development field at Penn State University

Penn State Dean’s List Award | University Park, PA | 7/7 semesters

• Received high academic honor roll in every semester completed in undergraduate degree

National Honor Society Award | Upper St. Clair High School | 2018   

• Honor focuses on four pillars: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character, requiring documented service hours and leadership experience beyond just academics.

4 Year Scholar-Athlete Award | Upper St. Clair High School | 2019

• Recognizes seniors with strong academics and consistent participation in sports, highlighting character, leadership, and community involvement

Team Captain Varsity Girls Basketball | Upper St. Clair High School | 2018

• Elected by fellow teammates to lead their team for the season
• Responsible for dealing with sportsmanship issues, managing actions of their teammates, and bringing up concerns with the opponent in a respectful manner

Tang Soo Do Black Belt | C.S. Kim Karate | 2013

• Signifies reaching a level of mastery in Korean martial art, requiring years of training in forms (hung), sparring (kyukpa), self-defense, and philosophical concepts