The Recovery Room

One nurse’s passion for recovering patients while also advocating for fellow nurses on a new committee

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses, for nurses. This week, one nurse shares her growing journey in PACU as well as her passion for nurse advocacy through working on a hospital committee. We also cover growing confusion around vaccine guidance and the latest proposed Medicaid cuts under Trump’s new bill.

Nurse Spotlight: Chloe Carter RN, BSN, CPAN

What I do for work

I’m a PACU Nurse currently working in the recovery room for primarily ear, nose, and throat procedures.

How I got here

I’ve always been drawn to health and wellness, initially planning to become a Physician Assistant after earning my B.S. in Molecular Biology. While working as a Medical Assistant in dermatology, I discovered a love for the field—though after several PA school rejections, a friend suggested nursing. I applied to an accelerated BSN program, got in, and became an RN. After a med-surg residency, I moved across the country and trained in critical care and PACU. I’ve since transitioned to a smaller outpatient PACU, where I enjoy the pace and currently serve on a hospital committee advocating for safer on-call policies.

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More on Chloe Carter

A day in my life

After recently transitioning to a smaller PACU, my workflow has drastically changed. What once was a morning of hitting the ground running, I now have a slower morning where I arrive at work, open up the PACU and go through unit safety checks before the first patient is brought out of surgery. I manage pain and nausea while the patient is waking up from surgery, as well as monitor surgical sites and possible post-op complications before the patient is recovered enough to either be admitted to the floor or return home.

My self-care routine (or what I do for fun, or to relax)

For me, exercise is what I like to do to unwind and relax. On my days off, I always go to the gym, go for a walk or hike, or take a HIIT or yoga class to get my body moving. I also love taking my two dogs, Toby and Oliver, to the dog park to spend time outside. At home, I like to cook and meal prep for my week as well as get lost in a good book. I’m currently reading the series Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas and I can’t get enough!

Headlines in Healthcare

Medicaid on the Chopping Block

The House is moving quickly to pass Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which cleared the Senate just days ago. The proposal includes nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years—changes that could leave up to 12 million Americans without coverage. New work requirements, stricter eligibility checks, and state opt-outs for key benefits have nurses and public health experts warning of delayed care, rising ER visits, and a heavier burden on safety-net providers.

Vaccine Confusion Grows

The Trump administration appears to be expanding RSV vaccine recommendations—but public health experts are worried about mixed signals. Last week, the CDC’s new vaccine advisers alarmed pediatricians by reopening debate on long-settled questions about childhood shots. Critics say the panel lacks deep vaccine expertise, raising concerns about how future guidance will be shaped.

Mobile Care

Doctors have implemented mobile clinics to care for older patients who are facing homelessness on the streets. The number of people over the age of 55 who experience homelessness is expected to triple by 2030. Seeking accessible healthcare is often a barrier these individuals face.

Katie Scoggins

(RN, BSN, Nurse & Health Writer)

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