Heather Fitzhugh
930 25th Circle ,AR
Summary
Accomplished Intensive Care / Cardiac Nurse with a proven track record at Arkansas Heart Hospital, enhancing patient outcomes through expert cardiac monitoring and compassionate communication. Skilled in interdisciplinary collaboration and critical thinking, consistently contributing to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare. Achieved commendation for compassionate care, demonstrating significant improvement in patient satisfaction scores. Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Intensive Care / Cardiac Nurse
Arkansas Heart Hospital
12.2020 - Current
- Administered nursing care to cardiac patients undergoing diagnostic, therapeutic or emergency services.
- Assisted in diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as unstable angina, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease and cardiac dysrhythmia.
- Conducted initial assessments, documented findings in patient records and notified physicians of abnormal findings.
- Administered medication, pain management and analysis of patient responses to interventions to improve individual performance.
- Assessed patients, collecting data and prioritizing cases in accordance with standards, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Cared for culturally-diverse patients, liaising with family members and specialists to address changing needs and enhance individual experience.
- Produced care plans in alignment with physical, psychosocial and learning needs of patients, achieving commendations for compassionate treatment.
- Contributed to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare as key member of cardiac nursing team caring for patients daily.
Medical Surgical Registered Nurse
Baptist Health Medical Center
06.2018 - 12.2020
- Promoted a safe environment for patients by adhering to infection control protocols, fall prevention strategies, and other safety measures.
- Prevented complications for post-operative patients through careful monitoring, early detection of issues, and prompt intervention when needed.
- Assessed patient conditions accurately by conducting comprehensive physical assessments, interpreting diagnostic tests, and utilizing critical thinking skills.
- Provided inpatient care to diverse population of adult medical and surgical patients.
- Educated patients and families on disease diagnosis, prognosis and post-operative care.
- Effectively managed time and prioritized tasks to ensure timely administration of medications, treatments, and procedures.
- Improved patient satisfaction scores by consistently providing compassionate, empathetic, and culturally sensitive care.
Medical Surgical Nurse/ Inpatient Wound Nurse
Baptist Health Medical Center
05.2017 - 06.2018
- 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.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients'' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Baptist Medical Center
05.2003 - 05.2017
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure continuous quality improvement in patient care delivery.
- Demonstrated excellent technical skills in wound dressing changes, IV therapy administration, catheter insertion, and other routine nursing procedures.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Facilitated efficient communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to promote continuity of care across settings.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by adhering to infection control protocols and maintaining accurate documentation of patient data.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Dr Larry Brashears
09.2002 - 05.2003
- Maintained accurate documentation of all relevant clinical data, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Reduced medication errors by accurately administering medications and diligently verifying patient information.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge base and skillset as an LPN.
- Demonstrated adaptability in working with diverse patient populations across various healthcare settings.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction levels through effective communication and empathetic listening skills.
- Answered incoming phone calls from patients to provide basic assistance and triage medical concerns.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Hot Springs Internal Medicine
09.2001 - 09.2002
- Improved patient outcomes by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting relevant information.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure continuous quality improvement in patient care delivery.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Facilitated efficient communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to promote continuity of care across settings.
- Answered incoming phone calls from patients to provide basic assistance and triage medical concerns.
Licensed Practical Nurse
St Joseph’s
09.2001 - 02.2002
- Improved patient outcomes by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting relevant information.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure continuous quality improvement in patient care delivery.
- Facilitated efficient communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to promote continuity of care across settings.
- Managed time-sensitive tasks effectively under pressure while maintaining composure during critical situations or emergencies.
Licensed Practical Nurse
DaVita / Hot Springs Nephrology Group
10.2000 - 09.2001
- Improved patient outcomes by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting relevant information.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure continuous quality improvement in patient care delivery.
Education
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
Arkansas State University Three Rivers
Malvern, AR05.2017
Licensed Practical Nurse - Nursing
Arkansas State University Three Rivers
Malvern, AR07.2000
Skills
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Patient Education
- Compassionate communication
- Clinical Documentation
- Critical Care Nursing
- Family Support
- Telemetry monitoring
- Cardiac monitoring
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Electrocardiogram Interpretation
- Treatment Planning
- Clinical judgment
- Compassionate Care
- Physical assessments
- Health Promotion
- Discharge Planning
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Medication and IV administration
- Time Management
- Attention to Detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Compassionate and Caring
- Basic Life Support
- Critical Thinking
Timeline
Intensive Care / Cardiac Nurse
Arkansas Heart Hospital
12.2020 - Current
Medical Surgical Registered Nurse
Baptist Health Medical Center
06.2018 - 12.2020
Medical Surgical Nurse/ Inpatient Wound Nurse
Baptist Health Medical Center
05.2017 - 06.2018
Licensed Practical Nurse
Baptist Medical Center
05.2003 - 05.2017
Licensed Practical Nurse
Dr Larry Brashears
09.2002 - 05.2003
Licensed Practical Nurse
Hot Springs Internal Medicine
09.2001 - 09.2002
Licensed Practical Nurse
St Joseph’s
09.2001 - 02.2002
Licensed Practical Nurse
DaVita / Hot Springs Nephrology Group
10.2000 - 09.2001
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
Arkansas State University Three Rivers
Licensed Practical Nurse - Nursing
Arkansas State University Three Rivers
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