Kara Smith
Nashville,TN
Summary
A highly ambitious Registered Nurse, adept in various surgical specialties such as Trauma (Level 1), Orthopedics, Neurosurgical, Vascular, General, Burns, and Oral and Maxillofacial surgeries, Plastics, General Oncology, ENT, and General surgeries. Background in direct patient care on the Medical-Surgical unit providing beside care, medication administration and monitoring patient condition. Fostered inter-departmental collaboration and delivered empathetic patient care, ensuring high-quality outcomes in fast paced OR and Med-Surg settings. Aiming to challenge and leverage my abilities to successfully fill the Surgical ICU Registered Nurse position on your team.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Circulating Nurse, Operating Room
Vanderbilt University Hospital - Medical Center East
Nashville, TN
03.2024 - Current
- Showed excellence in preparing OR rooms for incoming cases by stocking supplies and instrumentation needed for the procedure.
- Performed effective circulation duties such as anticipating surgeon's needs during cases and managing instrumentation counts throughout the procedure.
- Exercised excellent time management techniques when coordinating multiple activities within the OR suite simultaneously
Circulating Nurse, Operating Room
HCA Tristar Skyline Medical Center
Nashville, TN
07.2022 - 02.2024
- Showed excellence in preparing OR rooms for incoming cases by stocking supplies and instrumentation needed for the procedure.
- Performed effective circulation duties such as anticipating surgeon's needs during cases and managing instrumentation counts throughout the procedure.
- Applied strong problem solving abilities to respond quickly to any changes in patient condition.
- Fostered positive relationships with colleagues while leading collaborative efforts between departments.
- Demonstrated expertise in providing pre-and post-operative care to surgical patients.
- Exercised excellent time management techniques when coordinating multiple activities within the OR suite simultaneously
Registered Nurse, BSN (Trauma Med Surg)
HCA Tristar Skyline Medical Center
Nashville, TN
11.2021 - 07.2022
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess changes in patient conditions, recognize complications and intervene appropriately.
- Managed multiple tasks while providing timely, high quality patient care.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
- Administered medications and treatments in accordance with physician orders and hospital policies.
Nurse Extern (Patient Care Technician, Med Surg)
HCA Tristar Skyline Medical Center
Nashville, TN
04.2021 - 11.2021
- Provided direct patient care under the direction of Registered Nurse, including taking vital signs, administering medications, and providing wound care.
- Conducted daily rounds on assigned unit to assess patient needs and respond accordingly.
- Reported changes in patient condition to RN to facilitate immediate intervention.
Education
Accelerated BSN - Nursing
Marian University
Nashville, TN01.2021
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology & Nutrition
Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, MI01.2017
Skills
- Sterile technique expertise
- Time management
- Effective communication
- Professionalism and ethics
- Compassionate patient care
- Medication administration
- Medical equipment operation
- Adaptability in High-stress situations
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Patient safety
- Patient positioning
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Basic life support
Certification
• AHA Basic Life Support (BLS)
• AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Timeline
Circulating Nurse, Operating Room
Vanderbilt University Hospital - Medical Center East
03.2024 - Current
Circulating Nurse, Operating Room
HCA Tristar Skyline Medical Center
07.2022 - 02.2024
Registered Nurse, BSN (Trauma Med Surg)
HCA Tristar Skyline Medical Center
11.2021 - 07.2022
Nurse Extern (Patient Care Technician, Med Surg)
HCA Tristar Skyline Medical Center
04.2021 - 11.2021
Accelerated BSN - Nursing
Marian University
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology & Nutrition
Central Michigan University