Cassandra Smart
RN, BSN, MFN Student
Aurora,CO
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Registered Nurse Behavioral Health and Neuropsych
Children's Hospital Of Colorado
Aurora, Colorado
02.2025 - Current
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
RN Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit
University Of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, Colorado
01.2024 - 02.2025
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients on medical-surgical unit, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians, and unit clerks.
Registered Nurse, Critical Care Unit MDDS, TSU
University Of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, CO
06.2023 - 01.2024
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Orchestrated quality-driven, cost-effective care in high-volume trauma setting.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
Crisis Stabilization Unit Mental Health Nurse
Aurora Mental Health And Recovery
Aurora, CO
02.2023 - 06.2023
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Advocated for patient rights and maintained a safe, therapeutic environment conducive to healing and recovery.
- Conducted crisis interventions and de-escalation techniques to ensure patient safety during high-risk situations.
- Educated patients and families on mental health conditions, treatments, coping strategies, and available resources.
- Promoted self-care among staff members by initiating regular debriefings after challenging incidents or shifts.
- Developed strong rapport with patients, fostering trust and open communication essential for effective treatment plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create holistic and integrated mental health care for patients.
SAHM to an Autistic Child With Some Health Issues.
Home
Aurora, CO
04.2010 - 02.2023
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Registered Nurse, Labor and Delivery
Rose Medical Center, Denver
Denver, CO
05.2009 - 08.2010
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches
LPN
Rose Medical Center, Denver
01.2006 - 05.2009
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
- Collaborated with supervisor to assess patient needs, plan and modify care and implement interventions.
- Cared for over 90 outpatient and inpatient surgical patients each day with quality-driven support
CNA
Rose Medical Outpatient Surgical Center
07.2002 - 04.2006
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Conferred with multidisciplinary healthcare team to help effectively manage patient conditions with regular testing and vitals assessments.
- Obtained biological specimens for ordered tests and prepared for laboratory transport.
- Reduced risks of patient infection and cross-contamination by cleaning and sterilizing equipment.
- Checked supply availability and laid out instruments for pre- and post-op patient rooms.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure and blood sugar levels
Education
Master of Science - Forensic Nursing
Aspen University
Denver, CO 07.2021 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University
Downers Grove, IL 02.2012 - 04.2021
Associate of Science - Nursing
Denver School of Nursing
Denver, CO 03.2007 - 08.2008
Skills
Patient and family advocacy
Strong clinical judgment
Patient Assessments
Postpartum counseling
At-risk patient care
Care Plan Development
Timeline
Registered Nurse Behavioral Health and Neuropsych
Children's Hospital Of Colorado
02.2025 - Current
RN Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit
University Of Colorado Hospital
01.2024 - 02.2025
Registered Nurse, Critical Care Unit MDDS, TSU
University Of Colorado Hospital
06.2023 - 01.2024
Crisis Stabilization Unit Mental Health Nurse
Aurora Mental Health And Recovery
02.2023 - 06.2023
Master of Science - Forensic Nursing
Aspen University
07.2021 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University
02.2012 - 04.2021
SAHM to an Autistic Child With Some Health Issues.
Home
04.2010 - 02.2023
Registered Nurse, Labor and Delivery
Rose Medical Center, Denver
05.2009 - 08.2010
Associate of Science - Nursing
Denver School of Nursing
03.2007 - 08.2008
LPN
Rose Medical Center, Denver
01.2006 - 05.2009
CNA
Rose Medical Outpatient Surgical Center
07.2002 - 04.2006
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