Candice Smith
Fayetteville,NC
Summary
Dynamic and dedicated professional, veteran military spouse of 23 years dedicated time away from beside to care for children and family, navigating numerous rapid deployment cycles placing emphasis on volunteerism and advocacy. Demonstrates motivation to return to patient care with proven ability to teamwork, problem solve, strong sense of devotion to serve the military and veteran community. Skilled in patient assessment, team collaboration, therapeutic communication, problem solving, and critical thinking will drive excellence in patient care and foster success in improving health outcomes for our dedicated military patients and community
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Unit Committee Secretary- 716G BSA
Scouting America
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Coordinated meeting schedules and agendas for committees, ensuring timely distribution of materials.
- Recorded accurate minutes during meetings, capturing key discussions and action items.
- Organized and maintained documentation related to committee activities and decisions for easy access.
Parent Volunteer
Jack Britt High School & John Griffin Middle School, Cumberland County Schools
08.2019 - 05.2025
- Assisted with classes by helping teacher carry out lessons and maintain organized spaces.
- Contributed time, suggestions and resources to support student organizations.
- Organized and facilitated school events, enhancing community engagement and support.
- Assisted in fundraising initiatives, increasing financial support for school programs and activities.
Parent Volunteer
Fort Leavenworth School District USD 207
08.2015 - 05.2019
- Please see above "Parent Volunteer" experience
Parent Volunteer- BSA, Cub Scouts
Scouting America
09.2015 - 05.2017
- Assisted leaders in planning and executing outdoor adventures, ensuring safety protocols were followed.
- Developed leadership skills in youth through mentoring programs and hands-on workshops.
- Coordinated fundraising initiatives, successfully raising funds for local troop activities and resources.
Parent Volunteer and Member of the PTA
Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School
09.2012 - 05.2015
- Facilitated communication between teachers and parents to enhance student support systems.
- Organized drives to gather classroom supplies or fundraise money.
Parent Advocate
Parent to Parent of Georgia
08.2010 - 12.2012
- Advocated for parents' rights within educational systems, ensuring equitable access to resources and support.
Parent Volunteer
EFMP Program Parent Support Group- EFMP Community Advocacy Program
08.2010 - 09.2012
- Participated in educational presentations by organizations providing training, policy, and legislation on health and educational advocacy
- Actively assisted other parents and community members in methods of military health care system navigation, advocacy, and local educational system navigation for members of the EFMP special needs community.
- Offered emotional and physical support for families with empathy, kindness, and professionalism.
Parent Volunteer
Richmond County Public Schools- Sue Reynolds Elementary
03.2010 - 09.2012
- Collaborated with educators to develop and implement plans to support student success in the Accelerated Reader Program
- Assisted with special events and programs.
- Represented organization positively and professionally while providing community with much-needed services.
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
Irwin Army Community Hospital
12.2003 - 12.2004
- Experienced the broad and intense impacts to health, psycho-social behaviors, and cultural consequences GWOT mass troop mobilization during the early phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
- Administered emergency care and triage to patients with acute conditions in high-pressure environments, often with strong unique social and emotional needs requiring attention and respect deserving of military patients.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement patient-centered care plans.
- Experience collaborating with entities outside the health care facility to include investigative bodies, law enforcement, social services, and unit chain of command
- Monitored vital signs and performed assessments to ensure timely interventions for critical patients.
- Educated patients and families on treatment plans, medications, and post-discharge care instructions.
- Implemented infection control protocols, enhancing safety standards within the emergency department.
- Demonstrated strong clinical reasoning skills when assessing patients'' conditions, initiating appropriate interventions, and escalating concerns to physicians as needed.
- Improved patient outcomes by consistently providing high-quality emergency care and implementing evidence-based nursing practices.
- Reduced patient wait times by efficiently triaging patients based on acuity levels and prioritizing urgent cases.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds, and thoracic trauma.
- Provided valuable support to families during critical situations by offering emotional support, answering questions, and assisting with decision-making processes related to their loved one''s care.
Registered Nurse
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center- Heart Hospital
06.2002 - 09.2003
- Experience with telemetry, EKG reading skills, post- operative care of open heart surgical patients, MI patient care assessment and support pre and post PCI, care of patients requiring cardioversion treatment, pacemaker/ ICD, TEE procedure with conscious sedation.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for complex cases.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA05-2002
Skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Excellent communication
- Active listening
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Team building
- Goal setting
- Motivational interviewing
- Continuous improvement
- Adaptability
- Patient assessment
Certification
RN License Active State of Pennsylvania; exp. 4/30/2026
RN License Active State of North Carolina- multiple state, compact; exp. 11/30/2027
RN Refresh Course- NC AHEC completed 9/2025
American Heart Association BLS (CPR and AED)- completed 8/2025
AAPC, Certified Billing Professional Course completed via Coursera; 2/2026 - intent to test for certification in 2026
Timeline
Unit Committee Secretary- 716G BSA
Scouting America
01.2020 - 01.2024
Parent Volunteer
Jack Britt High School & John Griffin Middle School, Cumberland County Schools
08.2019 - 05.2025
Parent Volunteer- BSA, Cub Scouts
Scouting America
09.2015 - 05.2017
Parent Volunteer
Fort Leavenworth School District USD 207
08.2015 - 05.2019
Parent Volunteer and Member of the PTA
Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School
09.2012 - 05.2015
Parent Advocate
Parent to Parent of Georgia
08.2010 - 12.2012
Parent Volunteer
EFMP Program Parent Support Group- EFMP Community Advocacy Program
08.2010 - 09.2012
Parent Volunteer
Richmond County Public Schools- Sue Reynolds Elementary
03.2010 - 09.2012
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
Irwin Army Community Hospital
12.2003 - 12.2004
Registered Nurse
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center- Heart Hospital
06.2002 - 09.2003
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Scranton