COURTNEY SMITH
Cathedral City,CA
Summary
Experienced with rapid patient assessment and emergency interventions, ensuring prompt and effective care. Utilizes advanced clinical skills and sound judgment in high-pressure situations. Knowledge of emergency protocols and procedures, contributing to enhanced patient safety and recovery.
Overview
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital
Indio, CA
01.2026 - Current
- Perform rapid assessment, triage, and implementation of the nursing process for high-acuity patients
- Provide full-cycle nursing care (assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation) for high-acuity patients
- Perform continuous telemetry monitoring and interpret cardiac rhythms; respond to arrhythmias in real time
- Manage neurologically compromised and post-operative patients; apply NIHSS and advanced assessment skills
- Safety care for combative/psych patients using de-escalation and appropriate restraint protocols
- Administer IV medications and blood products with strict MAR verification and safety standards
- Prioritize multiple patients based on acuity; adapt to rapidly changing conditions
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams; escalate care and coordinate transitions
- Educate patients/families; document and report safety/quality concerns promptly
ADN Clinical Instructor
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, CA
01.2026 - Current
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate nursing students in acute care clinical settings with emphasis on patient safety, clinical judgment, and professional communication
- Reinforce safe medication administration, prioritization, SBAR communication, infection prevention, and evidence-based nursing interventions
- Facilitate clinical reasoning and critical thinking through real-world patient scenarios, reflective questioning, and bedside teaching
- Provide constructive feedback and evaluation to support student growth, accountability, and transition into professional nursing practice
- Promote safe, patient-centered care aligned with program outcomes, nursing standards, and regulatory expectations
Patient Care Manager (PCM)
Gentiva Hospice
Palm Desert, CA
03.2024 - 10.2025
- Directed clinical oversight and care coordination for complex hospice patients across multiple branch operations
- Assessed patient conditions and developed individualized care plans focused on symptom management, comfort, safety, and quality of life
- Strengthened patient and family education regarding disease progression, medication management, and end-of-life care planning
- Administered medications, managed pain control protocols, provided wound care, and monitored medical equipment and treatment effectiveness
- Conducted ongoing patient evaluations and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to adjust treatment plans based on changing clinical conditions
- Supported regulatory compliance, quality improvement initiatives, and standardized documentation practices to improve care outcomes
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
Desert Regional Medical Center
Palm Springs, CA
08.2021 - 04.2024
- Delivered evidence-based emergency nursing care in a Level I Trauma Center managing high-acuity cardiac, neurological, trauma, and critical care patients
- Utilized ACLS, PALS, TNCC, and emergency response protocols to stabilize unstable and critically ill patients
- Performed telemetry monitoring and EKG interpretation for unstable patients requiring rapid assessment and intervention
- Recognized subtle signs of patient deterioration and escalated care promptly using SBAR communication and appropriate chain of command
- Collaborated closely with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes, throughput, and continuity of care
Education
Master of Science in Nursing Education - MSN-Ed
West Coast University
Anaheim, CA10.2023
Skills
- Arrhythmia Recognition
- Neurological Assessment
- Behavioral/Combative Patient Management
- IV Therapy & Blood Product Administration
- Medication Safety & MAR Verification
- Patient assessments
- IV insertion
- Trauma nursing
- Emergency care
- Patient & Family Education
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Acuity-Based Prioritization
- Infection Control & PPE
- Regulatory Compliance, EHR Cerner
Certification
- RN – California
- Public Health Nurse (PHN)
- BLS
- ACLS
- PALS
- TNCC
- ENPC
- NIHSS
Timeline
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital
01.2026 - Current
ADN Clinical Instructor
College of the Desert
01.2026 - Current
Patient Care Manager (PCM)
Gentiva Hospice
03.2024 - 10.2025
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
Desert Regional Medical Center
08.2021 - 04.2024
Master of Science in Nursing Education - MSN-Ed
West Coast University