Colette Smith

I have accumulated a range of clinical experience. I have been fortunate to be at Advent Porter, Parker, and Skyridge Hospitals. I was also on campus at the Student Medical Facility and Lifecare Center in Littleton.

As a student nurse, I have been able to help place IV access, take blood glucose readings, monitor patient vitals, assist with CNA tasks, administer IV medications, and set up IV pumps. I assisted the transition nurse at Skyridge Hospital and helped perform newborn assessments, as well as observe a high-risk delivery of a 31-week-old baby. I have removed several IV catheters, Foley catheters, and a JP drain. I have seen a robotic hernia repair, a colonoscopy performed, a tumor removal from the bladder, and a tonsillectomy. I emptied an ostomy bag. I helped place a rectal tube in a patient who was dying from cirrhosis of the liver. I helped with administering medications through an NG tube. While at Lifecare, I helped with dressing a stage 4 pressure injury to the coccyx.

I have had a wide range of clinical experiences, but my favorite part of any of my clinical experiences is getting to know the patients and helping them when they cannot help themselves. As nurses, we are caregivers, and that is the most important job we do.

Certified BLS