Leona Featherston
Fort Smith
Summary
Healthcare professional with focus on labor and delivery, known for delivering high-quality patient care and support during childbirth. Proven ability to remain calm and efficient in high-pressure situations, with strong emphasis on teamwork and adaptability. Highly skilled in patient monitoring, clinical assessment, and compassionate care.
Overview
1
1
Certification
46
46
years of professional experience
Work History
Instructor Neonatal Resuscitation Program
Baptist Health Fort Smith (Sparks Regional Medical Center)
Fort Smith, AR
06.2000 - 05.2026
- Developed and delivered engaging educational programs for healthcare professionals.
- Facilitated hands-on training sessions to enhance clinical skills and competencies.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient care outcomes through education.
- Mentored new instructors, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
- Evaluated and revised course materials to align with current best practices in healthcare education.
- Assessed learner performance, providing constructive feedback to support individual improvement plans.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management techniques.
Registered Nurse
Baptist Health Fort Smith (Sparks Regional Medical Center)
Fort Smith, AR
08.1980 - 05.2026
- Delivered patient-centered care through thorough assessments and individualized treatment plans.
- Administered medications and treatments per physician orders, ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care and optimize recovery outcomes.
- Educated patients and families on health management strategies, enhancing understanding of conditions and treatments.
- Coordinated prenatal care plans to ensure optimal maternal health and delivery outcomes.
- Monitored fetal heart rates and maternal vital signs during labor to identify potential complications.
- Educated patients on labor processes, pain management techniques, and newborn care practices.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized birth plans based on patient needs.
- Led initiatives to enhance patient satisfaction through improved communication and emotional support strategies.
- Mentored junior nursing staff in best practices for labor support and emergency interventions.
- Implemented evidence-based protocols to improve operational efficiency in the delivery unit.
- Advocated for patient-centered care, fostering a supportive environment for expectant families during childbirth experiences.
- Provided emotional support and guidance to new mothers and families during labor, delivery and postpartum.
- Responded to emergency situations such as pre-eclampsia, early labor, and fetal distress.
- Assisted in positioning patients and preparing surgical instruments for various operations.
- Maintained a sterile environment within the operating room, reducing the risk of infection.
- Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and safe environment.
- Coordinated with surgeons and staff to deliver safe patient care during operations.
- Implemented time-out protocols before starting surgeries, verifying correct patient identification and procedural details.
- Mentored new nurses entering the profession, guiding them through their initial experiences within the operating room setting.
- Prepared equipment and supplies necessary for each surgical procedure, ensuring availability when needed by surgeons.
- Performed pre-operative assessments to prepare patients for surgery.
- Reduced postoperative complications through vigilant monitoring of patients during surgery.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Collected, labeled, and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork within the surgical suite by fostering open communication and collaboration among colleagues.
- Enhanced patient safety by implementing strict adherence to surgical protocols and guidelines.
- Provided effective bedside care to patients before and after procedures to deliver comfort.
- Coordinated with anesthesia providers to ensure proper administration of anesthesia during procedures.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Westark Community College
Fort Smith, ARSkills
- Medication and IV administration
- Direct patient care
- Patient assessments
- Documentation and charting
- Strong clinical judgment
- Patient and family advocacy
- Patient EFM
- Intravenous therapy
- Care plan development
- Operating room safety
- Patient positioning
- Scrub nurse skills
- Circulating nurse skills
Certification
- BLS - Basic Life Support - 04/2026
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support - 10/2024
- Intermediate Fetal Monitoring Course - 12/2024
- STABLE - 08/2025
- NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation Program Advanced - 06/2025
- NRP Instructor - 08/2025
Timeline
Instructor Neonatal Resuscitation Program
Baptist Health Fort Smith (Sparks Regional Medical Center)
06.2000 - 05.2026
Registered Nurse
Baptist Health Fort Smith (Sparks Regional Medical Center)
08.1980 - 05.2026
Associate of Science - Nursing
Westark Community College