N. Heather Clark 1
N. Heather Clark
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(928) 627-5995 2463 S. Ave. A Yuma, AZ
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Qualifications______
- Registered Nurse with 21 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
- Nurse educator since from August, 2008-August, 2014
- Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing from August 2014-present
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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.
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.
NURSE EDUCATOR
- Teach nursing students in a practical nursing program.
- Instruct new students regarding success in college through proper study habits, test anxiety, listening and note-taking skills, and keeping a positive attitude.
- Instruct new nursing students in basic math and writing skills
- Help 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.
- Teach upper-level nursing students theory regarding the cardiovascular system, along with hematology, respiratory, and renal systems.
- Teach upper-level nursing students theory regarding multiple health problems such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic renal failure, cirrhosis
- Engage these students in critical thinking exercises through case studies and presentations
- Designed clinical and laboratory curriculum for upper level classes in cardiology, respiratory and renal systems
- Teach clinical/laboratory sessions using the above designed curriculum
- Introduce the students to evidence-based nursing through reading and interpreting of current literature in the field of nursing
- Create and administer exams based on the NCLEX testing format for practical nursing
- Teach nursing students in a traditional BSN nursing program
- Instruct first year traditional BSN students in a fundamentals and Basic Health Assessment laboratory course for Northern Arizona University
- Instruct fourth year traditional BSN students in a Family Nursing Practicum course for Northern Arizona University
ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF NURSING
- Full time faculty for Northern Arizona University
- Instruct first semester BSN nursing students in a didactic fundamentals course
- Instruct second semester BSN nursing students in Adult Health and Illness Part 1 course
- Instruct fourth semester BSN nursing students in Family Nursing Practicum
- Instruct fourth semester BSN nursing students in a Palliative/Gerontology Clinical Practicum
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Work History______
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff AZ/Yuma Campus
ADJUNCT FACULTY-August, 2012-August, 2014
ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF NURSING-August, 2014-Present
Yuma Regional Medical Center, Yuma, AZ
Level IV Trauma Center; 406 beds.
STAFF NURSE-POST ANETHESIA CARE UNIT (PACU) (May, 2013-June, 2105)
15-bed unit;patient population consisted of all post-surgical patients with the exception of open heart surgery.
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
Level 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
Level 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.
Seton Medical Center, Daley City, California
Level 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
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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: 175539
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Notable Accomplishments______
- 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 above-mentioned DVD at Purdue University in 2008.
- Volunteer 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 to 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: 2010-2012
-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
-Judge yearly science fair for local high school in Yuma, AZ 2014-Present
-Participate in Go2College for 5th and 6th grade students in Yuma, AZ 2014-
present
- Graduate Assistant for the nursing program at Purdue Calumet.
-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
- Participate in Curriculum Revision and Design for School of Nursing at NAU