Christina Armstrong
Glasgow
Summary
A highly skilled professional with extensive experience in NHS clinical areas, including more than 20 years in a large paediatric intensive care unit. With hands on experience using Medtronic products such as Nellcor pulse oximetry, Covidien INVOS cerebral/somatic oximeter, Shiley tracheostomies, and McGRATH MAC video laryngoscope, demonstrates a strong understanding of acute care and monitoring medical devices and is comfortable working in ICU and anaesthesia environments. Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills with multidisciplinary teams and has been actively involved in teaching and educating these teams. Capable of autonomous decision making in high-stakes environments while being a team player who can prioritise workload effectively.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work history
Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Paediatric Critical Care
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
2019.05 - Current
- Provide expert clinical care to paediatric critical care patients
- Complex autonomous decision making, often while under pressure
- Prioritise care needs of complex patients
- Safely operate a wide range of medical devices including acute care and monitoring equipment
- Respond to early warning signs detected via acute care and monitoring equipment
- Assessment, examination, diagnosis, management and treatment of a wide range of clinical conditions presenting to paediatric critical care, equivalent to that of medical staff
- Assessment and provision of advanced life support measures
- Lead the team during cardiac arrests and other resuscitation events
- Perform advanced clinical procedures
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests
- Independently prescribe and monitor the effect of a wide range of medications
- Leadership, clinical support and advice to nursing and medical staff
- Work cohesively within a large multidisciplinary team
- Contribute to the education of all team members
- Participate in audit and quality improvement projects
- Communicate effectively, often highly emotive and sensitive information with the multidisciplinary team, patients and their families
- Review own learning needs and update knowledge through continuous professional development
Trainee Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Paediatric Critical Care
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
2017.09 - 2019.05
- Completed masters level education and clinical skills training for the role of Advanced Nurse Practitioner in paediatric critical care.
Senior Staff Nurse
Paediatric Critical Care
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
2015.09 - 2017.09
- Cared for complex critical care patients
- Oversaw admission, transfer and discharge of patients
- Conducted ward rounds with the medical team to assist with treatment and patient care
- Collaborated with doctors to deliver patient treatment plans
- Worked cohesively with a large multidisciplinary team
- Recognised and responded promptly to emergency situations ensuring safety of patients at all times
- Leadership and role model for junior nursing staff
- Supervised and educated junior nursing staff efficiently leading to improved patient care
- Oversaw, trained and mentored student nurses
- Supported the charge nurse in their role
- Led nurse training sessions to improve team's overall skill set
- Advocated for patients' rights with adherence to ethical guidelines and standards
Staff Nurse
Paediatric Critical Care
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
2005.10 - 2015.09
- Cared for complex critical care patients
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to enhance patient care
- Worked closely with fellow nurses, doctors and clinicians for consistent communication and continued best care practices
- Mentored student and junior nurses, building confidence and competence
- Monitored vital signs, identifying any significant changes in condition and early warning signs
- Quickly responded to medical emergencies, delivering life support with paediatric immediate life support training
- Liaised effectively with relatives, keeping them informed about patient progress
- Upheld patient confidentiality by managing information with discretion, in accordance with data protection laws.
- Updated patient records to ensure accurate documentation
- Conducted informative handovers concise and accurate reporting and communication
- Administered multiple medications as prescribed
Staff Nurse
Paediatric Neurosurgery
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
2003.10 - 2005.10
- Cared for pre and post operative paediatric neurosurgery patients
- Developed core nursing skills and experience
- Worked within a multidisciplinary team
Education
Master of Science (MSc) Advanced Clinical Practice -
University of the West of Scotland
2015.09 - 2018.11
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Child Health Nursing -
Edinburgh Napier University
1999.09 - 2003.09
Paediatric Advanced Life Support Certificate -
European Paediatric Advanced Life Support
2023.05 -
Paediatric Cardiac Module -
Glasgow Caledonian University
2013.01 - 2013.07
Skills
- Understands NHS clinical areas (PICU; NICU; SCBU; Theatres; Anaesthesia)
- Experience using Medtronic products
- Familiar with a wide range of acute care and monitoring medical devices
- Comfortable in the ICU and anaesthesia environments
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with multidisciplinary teams
- Experience in teaching/educating of multidisciplinary teams
- Autonomous decision making in a high-stakes environment
- Team player
- Able to prioritise workload
- Participates in audit/quality improvement projects
Timeline
Paediatric Advanced Life Support Certificate -
European Paediatric Advanced Life Support
2023.05 -
Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Paediatric Critical Care
2019.05 - Current
Trainee Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Paediatric Critical Care
2017.09 - 2019.05
Senior Staff Nurse
Paediatric Critical Care
2015.09 - 2017.09
Master of Science (MSc) Advanced Clinical Practice -
University of the West of Scotland
2015.09 - 2018.11
Paediatric Cardiac Module -
Glasgow Caledonian University
2013.01 - 2013.07
Staff Nurse
Paediatric Critical Care
2005.10 - 2015.09
Staff Nurse
Paediatric Neurosurgery
2003.10 - 2005.10
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Child Health Nursing -
Edinburgh Napier University
1999.09 - 2003.09