Registered Nurse - Float - Med/Surg/Tele, ICU, ED - 24 hours - 7P-730A

Summary :

Responsible for providing primary nursing care to assigned patients in accordance with current FMC Standards of Care. Administers and monitors therapeutic interventions proficiently.

Demonstrates proficiency in applying the nursing process to assigned patients and families. Assumes accountability for the outcomes of nursing care.

Collaborates with health team members, and patients / families in the provision of care. Provides direct supervision to other health team members in the implementation of the patient care plan.

Effectively delegates care to peers, Licensed Practical Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Orderlies, and other direct caregivers consistent with their level of education and expertise.

Acts as an advocate for patients / families / significant others.

Assumes accountability for own professional practice and for aspects of nursing care delegated to others.

Assumes accountability for own professional practice and aspects of nursing care delegated to others.

Practices within accepted ethical and legal parameters of nursing. This description covers the essential functions of the position.

Job Description :

1) Provides age-appropriate care to patients.

Demonstrates knowledge of developmental stages for the following age groups and applies developmental theories and concepts when planning and implementing care for patients.

2) For each assigned patient, the nurse will proficiently perform a comprehensive nursing assessment and use professional judgment to obtain selective data to arrive at nursing diagnoses and discharge planning needs.

The nurse will conduct a systematic comprehensive assessment of the health needs of all assigned patients 100% of the time.

Ensures all assigned patients have a completed admission profile and health database / patient history.Elicits relevant selective data for a comprehensive nursing history, incorporating patient strengths and limitations.

Integrates various methods to collect relevant patient data (e.g., nursing history, observation, examination, communication with colleagues, and chart review) from formulating realistic nursing diagnoses.

Anticipates appropriate health care needs beyond the acute care setting.

3) Performs a proficient ongoing assessment of assigned patients recognizing subtle changes in health status 100% of the time.

Identifies changes that require immediate intervention.Anticipates consistently predictable changes in patient status.Determines the frequency of observation based on an ongoing assessment.

Furnishes physician and appropriate health team members with pertinent assessment data.Documents relevant assessment data clearly and concisely.

4) For each assigned patient, the nurse will formulate a detailed, realistic care plan specific to each patient’s identified needs.

Develops and updates a real care plan with measurable and achievable goals 100% of the time.Upon identification of an actual or potential problem, the nurse promptly initiates a care plan and updates per unit-specific guidelines.

Reassesses priorities and makes appropriate changes in the plan of care with patient / family’s input.Formulates realistic and attainable goals appropriate to the hospital setting and discharge needs.

5) Analyzes the psycho-social impact of illness & hospitalization on individuals and families 100% of the time. Collaborates and negotiates with patients and families to arrive at an agreed-upon care plan.

Utilizes and communicates with physicians and interdisciplinary team members to establish goals. Incorporates psycho-social, spiritual, and cultural needs into the plan of care.

6) For each assigned patient, the nurse will proficiently implement the individualized plan of care.Demonstrates proficiency in clinical nursing skills 100% of the time.

Independently organizes own assignment and prioritizes care plan accurately delegates aspects of care to other personnel consistent with job description and skill 100% of the time.

Consistently initiates interventions to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment 100% of the time, as evidenced by an absence of preventable incidents.

Anticipates outcomes of physician orders and nursing actions and seeks explanation when in question.Demonstrates flexibility in care without deviating from FMC standards, procedures, or policies.

Responds consistently to urgent and life-threatening situations with appropriate actions.

7) Provides formal and informal teaching relevant to the health care needs of patients utilizing available resources 100% of the time.

Ensures patients / families are informed concerning treatments, procedures, and hospital policies and routines.Documents each phase of the learning process, reinforcing teaching and implementing change as needed.

Considers patient / family’s level of knowledge and readiness to learn.

8) Effectively implements and revises the discharge plan 100% of the time.

Initiates interdisciplinary discharge plan at the time of admission. Completes appropriate discharge / transfer forms and documents accordingly.

Prepares patient / family for the changes in the health care delivery system.

9) For each assigned patient, the nurse will establish a pattern of ongoing evaluation and modification of patient care interventions while demonstrating accountability and responsibility for professional nursing practice.

Evaluates and modify the patient plan of care continuously 100% of the time. Observe patient responses to treatment, illnesses, and hospitalization and compare the expected outcomes with the actual outcomes.

Documents present status and note significant alterations from anticipated status. Utilizes available resources to assist in the evaluation process.

10) Accurately determines the effectiveness of their nursing care 100% of the time. Evaluates whether selected nursing interventions were appropriate to reach set goals.

Uses patient outcomes to assess the effectiveness of nursing interventions. Continually re-evaluates strengths and weaknesses for accountability of nursing care.

Demonstrates credibility and honesty in nursing practice.

11) Accurately and concisely communicates pertinent patient information while maintaining confidentiality 100% of the time.

Documents patient care and responses promptly, clearly, and thoroughly on appropriate forms.Understands and utilizes professional hierarchy in problem-solving related to significant changes in patient status and documents appropriately.

Communicates pertinent patient information in a concise manner through a shift-to-shift report and intra-hospital transfer.

Maintains a patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality.

12) Acts as an advocate for patient families 100% of the time.Acts as a representative in communicating patient / family’s needs to physicians and other health care team members.

Understands and supports Franklin Medical Center’s Patients’ Bill of Rights. Intervenes consistently in situations where patient integrity is threatened.

Supports and encourages patient / family’s decisions maintaining respect for life and dignity.

13) Will assume accountability for the management of patient care and will provide direct supervision to other health team members.

Demonstrates behaviors that will promote effective patient care management 100% of the time.Develops and evaluates patient care assignments, considering the patient needs and capability of the nursing personnel.

Promotes cost containment by utilizing human and material resources efficiently. Provides constructive feedback regarding the performance of peers to unit supervisor / designated individuals.

Consistently initiates incident reports when indicated and includes information for timely follow-up.Orients to charge role and acts as alternate charge nurse as designated.

14) Will demonstrate proficiency in applying the principles of teaching / learning to patient / family & with minimal assistance, identify own professional educational needs.

Assesses each patient / family’s comprehensive knowledge needs about health and illness 100% of the time.Individualizes standardized teaching plans to meet specific needs of patient / family.

Participates in patient care conferences (discharge planning) and communicates critical information at the change of shift report.

15) Identifies own professional educational needs with minimal guidance 100% of the time.Performs a realistic self-evaluation to determine own strengths and weaknesses.

Orients to the preceptor role.Consistently supports the growth and development of students and new personnel.Attends continuing education programs (5-8 contact hours or equivalent) related to the achievement of own professional goals as evidenced by the self-report with appropriate documentation.

Is a member of a unit-based committee, task force, or change-producing group.Attends and participates in 80-90% of Unit Staff meetings as evidenced by attendance roster / review of minutes.

Demonstrates ability to develop a therapeutic relationship with patients, families, and other members of the health care team.

Promotes collaboration / team building and healthy interpersonal relationships with others.

16) Will promote active participation in quality assurance research activities of health team members within the realm of responsibility.

Demonstrates an active participation in quality assurance / research activities 100% of the time. Identifies 1-2 patients and / or nursing problems that need to be systematically investigated as evidenced by committee reports and / or evaluation / research tools.

Communicates consistently with colleagues about quality assurance / research findings and their relevance to nursing practice.

Participates in and ensures follow-through of research / quality assurance data collection. Can state current Unit CQI initiatives.

Communicates an attitude of cheerful customer focused interactions in daily work activities.

17) Demonstrates competency for one-to-one observation of patients based on department and unit-specific needs.

18) Competent to care for patients in the Med / Surg / Tele units, ICU, and Emergency Department.

Required Work Experience :

1) MA RN license

Preferred Work Experience :

1) Minimum of 1 year of nursing experience

Skills and Competencies :

Evidence of a commitment to professional growth through participation in continuing education.

Completes mandatory unit, Patient Care Division, and hospital wide in-services and requirements.

Consistently positive performance appraisals in key areas of function and interpersonal skills.

Demonstrates ability to handle difficult and stressful patient situations.

Completes Basic dysrhythmia training.

ACLS, PALS, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training required by end of orientation.