Kara Armstrong
Bryant,AR
Summary
Hardworking and dedicated Registered Nurse with 9 years of direct patient care experience. Knowledge in medical-surgical nursing as well as bariatrics, cath lab recovery, endoscopy, orthopedics, and otolaryngology. Committed to improving patient outcomes by maintaining effective communication between patients, family, and their entire care team. Patient safety is regarded as a top priority. Strongly values team work and a healthy work environment. Takes pride in educating students, new employees, and current staff members on caring for specific patient populations. Enjoys helping coworkers who are struggling or overwhelmed. Eager to learn new skills and explore different areas of nursing.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse (RN)
Arkansas Heart Hospital
Bryant, US
07.2023 - Current
- Staff RN caring for general internal medicine patients and those recovering from bariatric surgery, general surgery, and cath lab procedures
- I also work in day patient surgery, where patients are prepped for scheduled procedures and surgeries
Registered Nurse (RN)
Premier Gastroenterology
Little Rock, US
10.2022 - 05.2024
- Staff RN working in pre-op, procedure, and PACU
- Primarily caring for patients undergoing colonoscopies and EGD's
Registered Nurse (RN)
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
North Little Rock, US
04.2022 - 10.2022
- Ambulatory Surgery Center
- Staff RN caring for orthopedic and neurosurgery patients pre and post procedure
- Patient types including: total hip and knee replacements and revisions, lumbar laminectomies, SCS placements, ACDF, shoulder replacements, etc
Registered Nurse/Charge Nurse
UAMS Hospital
Little Rock, US
12.2017 - 04.2022
- Unit consisting of orthopedics, otolaryngology, and plastic surgery
- Provided direct care of critical care patients pre and post tracheostomy, laryngectomy, facial reconstruction, free flap procedure, breast reconstruction, cranioplasty, and limb reattachment/revascularization
- Served primarily as charge nurse, ensuring patient safety, efficient admissions and discharges
- Experienced with collaborating with case management, social work, physical therapy, and physicians
- Level 1 Trauma center
Registered Nurse (RN)
CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs
Hot Springs, US
12.2015 - 12.2017
- Staff RN on a pediatric and adult med/surg observation unit
- Primarily cared for patients pre and post surgical procedures such as appendectomies, TURP procedures, bladder slings, hysterectomies, and cholecystectomies
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR12.2015
Skills
- Epic EME
- Patient admissions and discharges
- Interdisciplinary communication
- Care of the elderly
- Educating patients, families, coworkers, and students
- Patient advocacy
- Active listening and effective communication
- Providing excellent patient care regardless of age, race, sex, or sexual orientation
- Patience and kindness
- Organization
- Compassion and empathy
- Thorough and concise documentation
- Infectious disease control
- Maintaining patient privacy
- Strong medical ethic
- Delegation when appropriate
- Precepting
- Patient satisfaction and process improvement
Certification
- BLS Certified
- ACLS Certified
- RN, AR
Awards
Daisy Award, 09/01/20
Timeline
Registered Nurse (RN)
Arkansas Heart Hospital
07.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse (RN)
Premier Gastroenterology
10.2022 - 05.2024
Registered Nurse (RN)
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
04.2022 - 10.2022
Registered Nurse/Charge Nurse
UAMS Hospital
12.2017 - 04.2022
Registered Nurse (RN)
CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs
12.2015 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Arkansas Tech University