Francesco Di Siena, RN
Critical Care Staff Nurse · Cardiovascular Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic Surgery, PACU & Coronary Care Nursing
Credentials last verified: July 2026
About
Francesco Di Siena is a registered nurse with more than 15 years of international clinical experience in cardiovascular intensive care, cardiothoracic surgery, coronary care, post-anaesthetic recovery, and high-dependency nursing. His career spans specialist healthcare environments in the United Kingdom, Sudan, Australia, and Italy.
He has cared for adult and paediatric patients with complex cardiovascular, respiratory, surgical, and critical care needs, including patients requiring mechanical ventilation, haemodynamic support, intra-aortic balloon pumping, renal replacement therapy, and advanced postoperative monitoring. Francesco currently works within the Critical Care Rotation Programme at Royal Brompton and Harefield in London, with rotations through the Adult Intensive Care Unit, High Dependency Unit, and Post Anaesthetic Care Unit.
Role in Cardiovascular Critical Care
Francesco’s clinical practice is centred on the assessment, monitoring, and management of patients with complex cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory conditions. His experience includes postoperative care following coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair and replacement, congenital heart surgery, thoracic surgery, and aortic procedures.
He has worked with advanced critical care therapies including mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy, haemofiltration, intra-aortic balloon pumping, and inhaled nitric oxide. His professional background combines technical critical care skills with patient advocacy, multidisciplinary collaboration, staff education, and a strong commitment to safe, evidence-based nursing practice.
Role as a Nursing Education Author
As a nursing education author for NurseOnShift, Francesco contributes nursing-school and education guides designed to help prospective students compare programs, admissions pathways, costs, accreditation information, and publicly reported outcomes. His extensive frontline experience in cardiovascular and critical care nursing informs practical, evidence-based educational content for nursing students and professionals.
Professional Profiles & Verification
Clinical Experience
Critical Care Rotation Programme — Staff Nurse
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust · London, United Kingdom
April 2018 – Present
Post Anaesthetic Care Unit
April 2019 – October 2019
- Provided post-anaesthetic nursing support following cardiac and thoracic surgery and cardiac catheterisation laboratory procedures
- Monitored airway, breathing, circulation, pain, consciousness, and postoperative recovery
- Recognised and responded to postoperative complications and supported safe transfer to critical care or inpatient units
Adult Intensive Care Unit
October 2018 – March 2019
- Cared for patients requiring advanced cardiovascular and respiratory support before and after complex cardiac and thoracic surgery
- Provided specialist critical care to patients with adult congenital heart disease and advanced lung conditions
- Worked within a specialist commissioned extracorporeal membrane oxygenation centre
High Dependency Unit
April 2018 – October 2018
- Provided Level 2 care to patients following cardiothoracic surgery and cardiology patients requiring enhanced monitoring
- Supported patients transitioning between intensive care and inpatient wards
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Nurse
EMERGENCY NGO · Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery, Khartoum, Sudan
October 2017 – December 2017
- Provided intensive care to adult and paediatric cardiac patients following complex cardiac surgery
- Managed patients with acute decompensated heart failure, congenital and acquired heart disease, and rheumatic valvular disease
- Supported intra-aortic balloon pumping, inhaled nitric oxide, CRRT, and CVVH
- Supervised and taught national nursing staff within an international humanitarian environment
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Nurse
The Wellington Hospital, HCA Healthcare UK · London, United Kingdom
October 2016 – September 2017
- Provided postoperative intensive care following CABG, valve repair and replacement, congenital and acquired cardiac defects, and aortic procedures
- Managed patients with decompensated heart failure requiring mechanical ventilation, haemofiltration, and advanced monitoring
Cardiovascular Surgical Nurse
The Wellington Hospital, HCA Healthcare UK · London, United Kingdom
November 2015 – September 2016
- Cared for patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions including unstable angina, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure
- Provided postoperative care within a specialist cardiac surgical unit with cardiac and vascular monitoring
Health Assistant — Complex Care
The Royal Melbourne Hospital · Melbourne, Australia
November 2014 – April 2015
Patient Care Attendant
St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne · Melbourne, Australia
September 2013 – March 2014
Staff Nurse — Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Care Unit
Gruppo MultiMedica · Milan, Italy
February 2012 – August 2013
- Provided postoperative care following cardiac, general, vascular, and urological surgery
- Managed patients with myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cardiac dysrhythmias, and severe respiratory failure
- Received critically ill patients from the Emergency Department and inpatient wards
Staff Nurse — Cardiac Unit
Gruppo MultiMedica · Milan, Italy
May 2010 – February 2012
- Provided nursing care to patients with cardiovascular disease across clinical, interventional, and surgical pathways
- Performed cardiovascular assessments, administered treatments, and educated patients about cardiac conditions and continuing care
Education & Professional Training
First-Level Master’s Degree in Cardiovascular Nursing
University of Milan, Italy · 2011–2012
Specialist postgraduate education covering cardiovascular clinical and interventional pathways, cardiac surgical pathways, critical cardiovascular care, prevention, rehabilitation, and advanced nursing management of patients with heart disease (60 academic credits, approximately 1,500 hours).
Bachelor of Nursing
University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy · 2007–2010
Academic and clinical foundation for professional practice across cardiac nursing, coronary care, intensive care, and surgical nursing (182 academic credits, approximately 5,400 hours).
Clinical Skills & Professional Competencies
- Cardiovascular intensive care, cardiothoracic surgical nursing, and postoperative cardiac care
- Adult ICU, coronary care, PACU, and high-dependency nursing
- Adult congenital heart disease and advanced cardiovascular monitoring
- Mechanical ventilation, haemodynamic assessment, and IABP support
- CRRT, CVVH, haemofiltration, and inhaled nitric oxide therapy
- Acute heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia monitoring, and clinical deterioration escalation
- International nursing education, staff supervision, and multidisciplinary critical care
Areas of Clinical Expertise
- Cardiothoracic ICU
- Coronary care
- PACU
- High dependency
- Heart failure
- Mechanical ventilation
- Renal replacement
- Patient safety
Professional Approach
← Back to all authors & reviewers
Profile last updated July 15, 2026.