Carolyn Richards, BSN,RN
Raleigh,ND
Summary
Dedicated Assistant Nurse Manager with 25+ years in experience in healthcare, specializing in patient care, clinical operations, administration and staff management. A strong history of managing diverse clinical teams to achieve positive patient outcomes. Adept at building high-performance work cultures centered on collaboration and accountability.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Nurse Manager
Duke Cardiology
02.2021 - Current
- Assist with the supervision and support of staff in four cardiology clinic locations.
- Manage staff assignments, time-off requests, and call-outs.
- Oversee personnel actions including; orientation onboarding, performance evaluations, clinical ladder advancement timecards, annual education and disciplinary counseling.
- Maintain personal files.
- Communicate with all locations through written weekly huddles.
- Serve as a resource for staff and providers seeking guidance on clinical best practices and procedures.
- Promote positive work environments by fostering open communication, teamwork, and professional growth opportunities for clinic staff.
Clinical Team Lead / Charge Nurse-ACN II
Duke Cardiology
10.2014 - 11.2021
- Supervised and supported clinic personnel in the delivery of patient care in a 40 room ambulatory cardiac clinic.
- Assisted the nurse manager in daily clinic operations.
- Triaged incoming clinic calls, managed patient walk-ins, oversee clinic emergencies, roomed patients, supported front desk and laboratory staff.
- Responsible for coordinating staff assignments and provider make-up clinic schedules.
- Precepted new staff members.
- Fostered staff development and competency through supervision, coaching, trainings and team huddles.
Ambulatory Care Nurse II /Orthopedic Triage
Duke Orthopedics
03.2013 - 10.2014
- Provided patient telephone triage, advice, and education
- Assisted seven orthopedic providers with medication refills, clinic orders, appointment scheduling, and office administrative duties.
- Supported and directed Medical Assistants in the delivery care.
Staff Nurse II - Cardiac Step-Down Medicine Unit
Rex Hospital
12.2010 - 03.2013
- Responsible for the direct care of patients with cardiac and medical diseases
- Extensive experience with pre-and post-care of patients receiving interventional cardiac procedures, cardiac medications, and patients requiring intermediate inpatient care
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to their needs.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
Charge Nurse/Clinical Nurse II – Ambulatory
Hospital for Special Surgery
06.2001 - 07.2007
- Provided professional orthopedic ambulatory care nursing.
- Supervised daily clinic operations.
- Assisted physicians with procedures, injections, wound treatments, and suture removal.
- Educated patients regarding medications, treatments, and surgeries.
- Implemented evidence-based practice guidelines to improve patient care quality and outcomes.
Travel Nurse - Procedural Outpatient Services
Medical Express (Hospital for Special Surgery)
10.2000 - 06.2001
- Assisted anesthesiologists with various pain management procedures, epidural steroid injections, and fluoroscopy treatments.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
- Assessed patient conditions by taking vital signs and evaluating symptoms to determine appropriate treatment.
Staff Nurse II – Intensive Care Unit / Cardiology Step Down Unit
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
05.1997 - 09.2000
- Provided intensive care nursing to critically ill medical and surgical patients.
- Experience with cardiac monitoring, ventilators, phlebotomy, conscious sedation, wound care, and hemodynamic monitoring.
- Acted as the unit team leader in the cardiology step-down unit.
Nursing Assistant – Agency
Stat Nursing Services
02.1996 - 03.1997
- Provided nursing assistant care services in acute care hospitals and short-term private duty cases.
- Helped patients effectively manage routine bathing, grooming, and other hygiene needs.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
Personal Care Attendant/Instructional Assistant
College of San Mateo Disability Center
03.1993 - 05.1995
- Assisted two physically challenged college students with feeding, and toileting.
- Provided tutoring and note-taking for courses.
Office Clerk – Nursing Administration
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
06.1990 - 03.1993
- Provided clerical support services for a nursing administration office at a 300-bed acute care hospital.
- Responsible for large copying projects, filing, and answering incoming telephone calls.
Education
Bachelor of Science Nursing degree -
University of Mount Olive
Mount Olive, NC05.2020
Associate of Science - Nursing
Merritt College
Oakland, CA05.1997
Associate of Science - Health Sciences
Merritt College
Oakland, CA05-1997
Associate of Arts Degree - Liberal Arts
College of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA06.1995
Skills
- Leadership
- Staff Supervision
- Clinical Operations
- Staff Development
- Quality Improvement
- Ambulatory Patient Care
- Conflict Management
- Critical Thinking
Certification
- North Carolina State Registered Nurse License, #84712
- BLS Provider – American Heart Association, 02/26
- ACLS Provider – American Heart Association, 02/26
- Certification In process of completion - Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
Awards
- National Medical Association Nursing Scholarship Award, 1996
- Hospital for Special Surgery - Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice Award, 2007
- Duke Orthopedics Employee of the Month, 2014
- Duke University Strength, Hope, and Caring Team Award, 2018
Volunteer Experience
Mission nurse volunteer, Pro-Health International Africa, Lagos, Nigeria, 09/02, 08/03, Assisted clinic physicians in providing free health care services to under-served rural populations in Nigeria.
Professional Development
- Professional Practice Committee Member, 2005-2006
- National American Nurses Credentialing (ANCC) Magnet Conference Delegate, 2006
- Ambulatory Care Workflow Committee, 2014-2015
- Patient Experience Committee, 03/01/19 – 06/01/21
Timeline
Assistant Nurse Manager
Duke Cardiology
02.2021 - Current
Clinical Team Lead / Charge Nurse-ACN II
Duke Cardiology
10.2014 - 11.2021
Ambulatory Care Nurse II /Orthopedic Triage
Duke Orthopedics
03.2013 - 10.2014
Staff Nurse II - Cardiac Step-Down Medicine Unit
Rex Hospital
12.2010 - 03.2013
Charge Nurse/Clinical Nurse II – Ambulatory
Hospital for Special Surgery
06.2001 - 07.2007
Travel Nurse - Procedural Outpatient Services
Medical Express (Hospital for Special Surgery)
10.2000 - 06.2001
Staff Nurse II – Intensive Care Unit / Cardiology Step Down Unit
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
05.1997 - 09.2000
Nursing Assistant – Agency
Stat Nursing Services
02.1996 - 03.1997
Personal Care Attendant/Instructional Assistant
College of San Mateo Disability Center
03.1993 - 05.1995
Office Clerk – Nursing Administration
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
06.1990 - 03.1993
Associate of Arts Degree - Liberal Arts
College of San Mateo
Bachelor of Science Nursing degree -
University of Mount Olive
Associate of Science - Nursing
Merritt College
Associate of Science - Health Sciences
Merritt College
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