Christopher Smith, RN, BSN, CFRN
6093 Dunraven St., Golden,CO
Summary
Dynamic registered nurse with 13+ years of critical care experience and 10+ years of pre-hospital experience across ICU, rapid response, stroke care, and air and ground critical care transport. Experienced in focused assessment, acuity determination, recognition of clinical deterioration, patient education, and escalation of care. Known for calm clinical judgment, concise communication, and effective coordination across patients, families, EMS, physicians, and multidisciplinary teams.
Overview
1
1
Certification
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Level III RN - Neurosurgical ICU
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, CO
05.2023 - Current
- Assess complex patients, recognize changes in condition, determine urgency, and initiate or escalate care using clinical judgment and established standards
- Provide clear patient and family education regarding symptoms, warning signs, treatment plans, and next steps
- Serve as an experienced staff resource for clinical problem solving, communication, documentation, and patient safety
Flight RN III - LifeLine
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, CO
01.2022 - Current
- Provide high quality care to a complex and diverse patient population in a dynamic transport environment including rotor wing, fixed wing, and ground transport operations
- Synthesize history, symptoms, treatments, and response to care from patients, families, EMS, and sending teams to identify priorities and support safe transport decisions
- Communicate concise clinical updates and handoffs while coordinating care with sending and receiving teams
RN - Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, CO
10.2015 - 09.2025
- Responded to 911 calls for suspected stroke, obtaining focused symptom history and performing rapid assessment to determine acuity, treatment eligibility, and destination using established protocols
- Coordinated time-sensitive care with Fire/EMS, physicians, patients, families, and receiving hospitals
- Participated in the ground up formation of the 3rd Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit (MSTU) in the United States to go live, overcoming challenges through innovation and adaptability
Level III Charge Nurse- Neurosurgical ICU
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, CO
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Served as clinical resource while triaging competing patient care needs and coordinating throughput on a high-acuity 24-bed ICU
- Determined urgency, directed resources, and escalated care during rapidly changing or emergent situations
- Led and maintained multiple quality improvement projects with emphasis on patient safety and staff satisfaction
- Responded throughout the hospital to Code Blue and Stroke Alert events requiring rapid assessment and high-pressure clinical decision making
Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS) - Instructor
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, CO
01.2016 - 01.2022
- Provided practical, hands-on instruction to local Fire/EMS agencies emphasizing symptom recognition, focused neurologic assessment, stabilization, and protocol-based transport decisions for acute stroke patients
Level II RN - Neurosurgical ICU
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, CO
02.2013 - 12.2016
- Provided evidence-based care to medically unstable patients using continuous assessment to identify early clinical deterioration
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient-centered care from admission through discharge
Clinical Resource Nurse
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, CO
10.2015 - 10.2016
- Responded throughout the hospital with the Medical Emergency Team to evaluate clinical concerns, determine acuity, stabilize patients, and facilitate transfer to a higher level of care
- Provided real-time guidance to bedside staff using focused questioning, assessment, and independent clinical judgment
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Regis University
Denver, COMaster of Arts - Education
Christian Brothers University
Memphis, TNBachelor of Arts - Journalism
University of Memphis
Memphis, TNOutdoor Educator Course -
National Outdoor Leadership School
Lander, WYSkills
- Symptom Assessment
- Acuity Determination
- Protocol Guided Care
- Crisis Management
- Care Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Patient Education
- Effective Communication
- Empathetic Patient Care
- Adaptive
Certification
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course (TPATC)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
Advanced Stroke Life Support Instructor (ASLS Instructor)
Timeline
Level III RN - Neurosurgical ICU
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
05.2023 - Current
Flight RN III - LifeLine
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
01.2022 - Current
Level III Charge Nurse- Neurosurgical ICU
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
01.2017 - 01.2022
Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS) - Instructor
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
01.2016 - 01.2022
RN - Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
10.2015 - 09.2025
Clinical Resource Nurse
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
10.2015 - 10.2016
Level II RN - Neurosurgical ICU
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
02.2013 - 12.2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Regis University
Master of Arts - Education
Christian Brothers University
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
University of Memphis
Outdoor Educator Course -
National Outdoor Leadership School