Critical Care Registered Nurse with over 5 years of frontline experience delivering complex, high-acuity care across multi-specialty intensive care units and emergency settings. Proficient in ventilator management, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, and titration of advanced vasoactive infusions, with a proven track record of clinical excellence under pressure. A passionate advocate for patient-centered care, I am deeply committed to advancing anesthesia practice as a future CRNA — driven by a mission to improve outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations, both locally and abroad. My career has been defined not only by clinical expertise but also by leadership, collaboration, and a dedication to lifelong learning. I continually pursue advanced education, specialty certifications, and evidence-based practices to ensure every patient receives the safest, most equitable, and highest quality care possible.
Jessica Quiles
MBA, BSN, RN, CCNA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RIVERSIDE MEDICAL CENTER (IL): ED & ICU RN September 2022 - Present
Returned on an internal contract to provide patient care in both the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit, addressing critical staffing needs.
Stabilize acutely ill and emergent patients, delivering high-acuity critical care interventions in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless transitions of care from the emergency department to critical care units, prioritizing patient safety and continuity.
OSF ST. FRANCIS (IL): ICU RN September 2021 - September 2022
Delivered comprehensive critical care across multiple ICU specialties, including trauma, surgical, neurological, cardiac, and medical, adapting rapidly to diverse patient populations and clinical workflows.
Managed mechanical ventilation, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, and titration of complex vasoactive medications with precision and adherence to evidence-based practices.
Partnered with rotating teams of physicians and allied health professionals, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and strong interdisciplinary communication in high-acuity environments.
RIVERSIDE MEDICAL CENTER (IL): ICU RN March 2020 – September 2021
Managed critically ill patients in a combined ICU setting, delivering care across surgical, medical, neurological, and cardiac populations.
Responded promptly to patient deterioration, executing evidence-based interventions and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams to optimize outcomes.
EDUCATION
Waubonsee Community College (IL) August 2025 – Present
Professional Development Courses (Spanish)
Olivet Nazarene University (IL) March 2022 – March 2023
Master of Business Administration (Healthcare Concentration)
Olivet Nazarene University (IL) August 2015 – December 2019
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Growth in Action - Preparing for CRNA School
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Shadowing / Observation
Shadowing a CRNA biweekly to gain deeper insight into anesthetic planning, airway management, and intraoperative physiology. I use this time to ask clinical questions, observe patient monitoring strategies, and understand the CRNA’s role in managing critical decisions throughout the perioperative process. This experience is helping me strengthen my clinical judgment and deepen my understanding of the anesthesia care team—skills I plan to carry into CRNA school and beyond.
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Coursework and Certifications
Currently completing coursework in advanced pharmacology and anesthesia physiology to strengthen my foundational knowledge for CRNA training. I actively read AANA Journal articles and maintain a personal log of clinical takeaways to stay current with emerging research and best practices in nurse anesthesia. This ongoing self-study reflects my commitment to academic excellence and readiness for the rigor of graduate-level anesthesia education.
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Leadership & Mentorship
Currently leading a mentorship circle for new ICU hires, providing clinical guidance, emotional support, and a safe space for growth during their transition into critical care. I also contribute to the development of onboarding resources to improve training consistency and elevate unit standards. These leadership experiences have strengthened my ability to communicate effectively, teach under pressure, and foster a supportive learning environment—skills that will directly translate to my future role as a CRNA.
“Beyond the Bedside”
Volunteering has always been a core part of who I am. It allows me to stay connected to my community beyond the hospital walls. Whether I’m mentoring new nurses, guiding college students, or supporting local outreach efforts, I find purpose in helping others grow and feel supported. Service, to me, isn’t just about giving back—it’s about showing up consistently, sharing knowledge, and creating a ripple effect of positive impact wherever I can.
I’ve had the privilege of volunteering at a low-income, predominantly minority high school, speaking to prospective nursing students about careers in healthcare. These sessions are more than just educational—they’re about planting seeds of confidence and possibility in students who may not have role models in the field. Helping them see a future for themselves in nursing is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
That sense of purpose deepened even further during a medical mission trip to Africa, where I volunteered at a rural clinic. Working alongside local healthcare providers to care for patients with limited resources reminded me of why I chose this path in the first place. It was a powerful, humbling experience that renewed my commitment to equitable care and strengthened my resolve to serve with compassion no matter where I am in the world.
BLOGS
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"A day in my life in the ICU"
10.14.24
Every shift in the ICU starts with a deep breath—because no two days are ever the same. Working in a high-acuity, low-income hospital serving a largely minority population means I’m not just a nurse—I’m an advocate, a translator, a hand-holder, and often the one voice of calm in chaos.
My day begins with report. I take over care for patients who are often sedated, intubated, or critically unstable. I review labs, imaging, and notes, but I always go to the bedside to lay eyes on each person myself. That moment of human connection—touching a hand, brushing hair off a forehead—is grounding.
In between titrating drips, managing ventilators, and coordinating care with physicians, I’m also educating families. Many of them are scared, overwhelmed, or unfamiliar with the medical system. I make it a point to explain everything in simple language and never rush them. It’s one of the most important parts of what I do.
Working in a resource-limited hospital also requires creativity. I’ve learned how to MacGyver just about anything, to advocate fiercely for my patients, and to rely on my team like family.
I leave every shift physically tired but mentally full—because even in heartbreak, there’s purpose. And that’s why I keep showing up.
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"What I've Learned Since Mentoring"
01.01.25
Mentoring wasn’t something I set out to do—it just naturally became part of who I am as a nurse.
Over the past six years working in fast-paced ICU and ER settings, especially in a high-acuity, low-income hospital, I’ve been the go-to person for students, new grads, and fresh hires. Whether I was training a first-year nurse or guiding a college student through their first shadow experience, I realized quickly that mentorship is about more than just teaching—it’s about building confidence, trust, and a sense of belonging.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that mentorship starts with listening. New nurses and students don’t just need instructions—they need encouragement, validation, and a safe space to ask, “Am I doing this right?” I remind them often: you’re not supposed to know everything on day one. What matters most is that you care enough to ask questions and grow.
I’ve seen how mentorship can change lives—especially for those who didn’t think they belonged in medicine. As a nurse who works in a largely minority and underserved community, I’ve mentored students who told me they had never seen someone who looked like them in leadership before. I don’t take that lightly. Representation is powerful, and being part of someone’s journey into healthcare is one of the greatest privileges I’ve had.
Mentorship has also made me a better nurse. It pushes me to stay sharp, be patient, and lead with grace. It reminds me why I chose this profession in the first place—and why I’m so passionate about becoming a CRNA. I want to keep mentoring throughout my career, lifting others as I climb, and helping build a more inclusive and empowered healthcare workforce.
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"What I hope to bring to the world as an CRNA"
04.14.25
Becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) isn’t just a career goal for me—it’s the next step in a life of service.
After six years in critical care, including time spent in underserved communities and on the road as a travel nurse, I’ve seen the gaps in our healthcare system. I’ve seen how pain is under-treated in minority patients. I’ve seen fear in patients who don’t understand what anesthesia even means. And I want to be the provider who meets them with empathy, clarity, and skill.
With an MBA in business, I also understand the systems behind the scenes. I want to bring that knowledge into healthcare leadership—to advocate for equitable access, improve care delivery, and support policy change.
As a CRNA, I hope to be more than just a provider in the OR. I want to be a mentor, an educator, and a voice for patients who are too often unheard. I want to continue working in under-resourced communities and help build a pipeline for future CRNAs from diverse backgrounds.
To me, anesthesia is more than sedation. It’s protection. It’s peace. And I want to bring both—every day, for every patient, no matter where they come from.