Download Curriculum Vitae/Resume - Northern Arizona University

N. Heather Clark
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(574) 855-0883 4426 W. 16th St. Yuma, AZ 85364
[email protected]
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Qualifications___________________________________________________________
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Registered Nurse with 15 years’ experience in various hospital and educational
settings.
Completed BSN degree at Indiana University Northwest in December, 2004.
Completed a Masters of Science degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist through
Purdue University Calumet in July, 2008
Currently practicing as a nurse educator since August, 2008
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Professional Experience___________________________________________________
STAFF NURSE/CHARGE NURSE
As Charge Nurse:
 Supervised up to four-person staff: RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and Unit Clerks on
evening shift; accountable for patient assignment, unit operations, and over all
patient care.
 Assessed problems with patients or staff and solved those problems through
excellent communication skills and appropriate referrals.
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As Staff Nurse:
 Performed physical assessments; provided intravenous therapy, Total Parenteral
Nutrition, and complex wound care; monitored various drainage devices;
monitored EKG readings; assisted in maintaining adequate ventilation through
proper care of endotracheal tubes and oral and nasal airways; performed
extubation of endotracheal tubes; administered narcotics, anti-emetics, and other
medications intravenously.
 Educated patients on post-operative procedures, wound treatment, and
medication protocol.
 Triaged patients via phone and used critical thinking and excellent assessment
skills to direct them to appropriate resources for safe and proper assistance.
 Collaborated daily with physicians and health care team to achieve optimum
patient care.
N. Heather Clark
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Professional Experience continued
NURSE EDUCATOR
 Teach nursing students in a practical nursing program.
o Instructed new students regarding success in college through proper study
habits, test anxiety, listening and note-taking skills, and keeping a positive
attitude.
o Instructed new nursing students in basic math and writing skills
o Helped new nursing students prepare to attend clinical rotations through
preparation in such areas as immunizations, background checks, health
insurance, dress code, and professional appearance and conduct.
o Taught upper-level nursing students theory regarding the cardiovascular
system, along with hematology, respiratory, and renal systems.
o Taught upper-level nursing students theory regarding multiple health
problems such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic renal failure, cirrhosis
o Engaged these students in critical thinking exercises through case studies
and presentations
o Designed clinical and laboratory curriculum for upper level classes in
cardiology, respiratory and renal systems
o Taught clinical/laboratory sessions using the above designed curriculum
o Introduced the students to evidence-based nursing through reading and
interpreting of current literature in the field of nursing
o Created and administered exams based on the NCLEX testing format for
practical nursing
ADJUNCT NURSING FACULTY
 Taught new nursing students in the laboratory and clinical setting
o Prepared them in the basic skills of nursing and medication administration
o Accompanied them to a clinical facility that allowed them to work with
patients in the rehabilitative process
 Taught upper-level students in a Family Nursing class
o Assisted students as they rotated through various clinical sites and visited
patients in their home to create and implement various interventions of
health promotion and health restoration for the patient and family
members
N. Heather Clark
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Professional Experience continued
ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF NURSING
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Teach first year nursing students a didactic course in the fundamental aspects
of nursing
Teach second year nursing students a didactic course related to health and
illness covering several body systems
Teach fourth year nursing students in a family nursing class that engages
them in the community by rotating through several clinical sites and visiting
patients in their homes to provide health promotion and health restoration
through evidence-based interventions
Oversee and mentor the NAU-Student Nurses’ Association in Yuma
Serve on the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Undergraduate Curriculum
N. Heather Clark
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Work History____________________________________________________________
Yuma Regional Medical Center, Yuma Arizona
REGISTERED NURSE IN THE POST ANESTHESIA CARE UNIT (May 2013-present)
Care for patients who are emerging from anesthesia, assuring their respiratory, cardiovascular
and other vital systems are performing at an optimal level before being transferred to a surgical
unit
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona/Yuma Campus
Bachelor of Science Nursing Program
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR (August 2008-May 2014)
ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF NURSING (August 2014-present)
Brown Mackie College, South Bend, Indiana
Practical Nursing program
NURSE EDUCATOR (2008-present)
Instruct nursing students in the theory, or classroom setting regarding the body systems
Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute, Chesterton, Indiana
Orthopedic clinic consisting of 10 Orthopedic Surgeons.
PHONE NURSE (2003-2004)
patient population included orthopedic surgical and non-surgical patients in a
clinical setting.
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, Provo, Utah
Class I Trauma Center; 395 beds.
STAFF NURSE: POST ANESTHESIA CARE UNIT (1997-1999, 1980-1981)
15-18 bed unit; patient population included all post-surgical patients with the
exception of open heart surgery.
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
Class I Trauma Center /Research and Teaching hospital
STAFF NURSE/CHARGE NURSE: POST-SURGICAL GYNECOLOGICAL AND
ONCOLOGY UNIT (February 1984-June 1985)
30-Bed unit; patient population included post-surgical gynecological patients and
Gynecological/Oncology patients, including those with terminal disease.
N. Heather Clark
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Work History continued
Seton Medical Center, Daley City, California
Class II Trauma Center; 357 beds
STAFF NURSE: POST-SURGICAL GYNECOLOGICAL AND POST-PARTUM UNIT
NIGHT SHIFT (September 1981-January 1982)
35-bed unit; patient population consisted of post-surgical gynecological patients and
Post-partum patients.
STAFF NURSE: POST ANESTHESIA CARE UNIT (February 1982-July 1983)
15-bed unit; patient population consisted of all post-surgical patients with the exception of open
heart surgery.
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Education_______________________________________________________________
Associate of Science in Nursing, 1980
Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 2004
Indiana University Northwest, Gary, Indiana
 GPA 3.64
 Deans List, Academic Year 2003-04
 Honor Student in Nursing Program
Master of Science in Nursing, 2008
Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, Indiana
 GPA 3.67
 Deans List
 Graduate Assistant
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Licensure_______________________________________________________________
Arizona License: RN175539
N. Heather Clark
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Notable Accomplishments_________________________________________________
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Served for one year as a union liaison representing Registered Nurses at a
California hospital. Negotiated for adequate staffing in the Post Anesthesia
Care Unit and other units in the hospital.
Completed an ACLS and EKG and Critical Care Course in the past.
Created a DVD for heart failure patients to increase their knowledge of
the disease and options for care.
Poster presentation of findings related to exposing heart failure patients to the abovementioned DVD at Purdue University in 2008.
Volunteered for church youth, children’s, and community groups:
-Taught a scripture study course for 25 students at 6am Monday through
Friday mornings during school year for seven years (2000 to 2007)
-Completed eight years of planning, directing, and overseeing a youth camp
for girls, ages 12-18 (1999-2007)
-Served as the leader of children ages three to twelve years
for religious congregation (2006-2010)
-Served as leader of over 100 young women ages 12 to 18 for church (2010-2014)
- Have taught children in the community about visits to Doctor’s offices,
personal safety measures, and proper hygiene.
-Have taught Boy Scouts about camping safety related to sun stroke and
heat stroke and other safety measures.
-Have held many teaching and leadership positions through local church
Graduate Assistant for the nursing program at Purdue Calumet (2006-2008)
-Assisted nursing students with writing and lab assignments
-Assisted nursing professors with data entry and research
-Acted as student liaison for graduate nursing students
-Attended monthly graduate curriculum meetings with graduate faculty