Registered Nurse (Rn - Hospital)

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Coordinates total nursing care for patients of all ages utilizing the nursing process; directs patient and family teaching; provides leadership by working cooperatively with ancillary nursing and other patient team personnel in maintaining standards for professional nursing practice in the clinical setting.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Maintains the standards of nursing care and implements the policies and procedures of the hospital and Clinical Services.
• Provides direct patient care for assigned patients of all ages including pediatrics, adult and geriatrics, utilizing the nursing process including assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation.
• Assesses the patient's condition considering age-specific developmental needs, educational needs of patient and family and discharge planning needs.  
• Develops a plan of care for the patient and prescribes appropriate nursing interventions to achieve expected patient outcomes.
• Evaluates patient outcomes and modifies plan of care as patient’s needs or condition changes.  
• Directs and participates in discharge planning and patient and family/significant other education.
• Reports pertinent observations and reactions regarding patients to the appropriate person (i.e., physicians, Unit Supervisor, and/or Nursing Manager) and records those observations accurately and concisely.
• Delegates nursing care to other health care members in accordance with the patient's needs and the nursing personnel's capabilities and qualifications. 
• Administers medications, IV therapy and performs treatments for assigned patients as ordered by the physician.
• Assists physicians with special tests and procedures such as thoracentesis, lumbar tap, etc.
• Ensures that equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Participates in orientation of new personnel and performance evaluations of nursing staff.
• Coordinates nursing care of patients when scheduled for therapy or procedures by other departments.
• Establishes and maintains effective communications with patients, families and staff to contribute to the hospital mission.
• Initiates and/or assists in emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in patients such as cardiac arrest.
• Participates in the maintenance of a clean and safe environment.
• Participates in staff development programs.
•   Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

1. PREPARATION AND TRAINING - Work requires a professional level of knowledge acquired by completing an accredited RN nursing education program. Must hold RN licensure from the ND State Board of Nursing for the current year. ED staff nurse position requires PALS/ACLS certification. TNCC is highly encouraged. ICU staff nurse position requires completion of a basic cardiology class for nurses and ACLS certification.Family BirthPlace (FBP) staff nurse position requires completion of a basic fetal monitoring course and neonatal resuscitation course (NRP). Position requires completion of BLS CPR. Position is required to attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist.
2. WORK EXPERIENCE - Previous work experience preferred but not required for staff RN positions in Patient Care Unit (PCU). (See exceptions indicated below).  
3. Time to reach competency on the job: 3 weeks to 3 months for entry level staff RN.
4. ICU Staff RN, FBP Staff RN, ED Staff RN and PACU RN positions - Preference for a minimum of one year nursing experience following completion of RN nursing education program. Time to reach competency on the job: 3 weeks to 3 months following orientation to the work area.
5. ATTENDANCE - Position requires completion of BLS CPR. Position is required to attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist. 
6. ANALYTICAL ABILITY - A high level of analytical ability is required in a variety of duties in order to gather and interpret complex data and to find solutions to difficult problems.
7. INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT - Independent nursing judgment is often required by the professional RN based on established policies and procedures. Substandard performance in nursing skills or judgment may adversely affect patient care, patient welfare and hospital goodwill.
8. CONTACTS WITH OTHERS - Very frequent contact with others. Must demonstrate social sensitivity and the ability to communicate effectively in a professional manner.
9. SUPERVISING THE WORK OF OTHERS - May be required to plan, assign work to and check the work of 1 to 5 nursing personnel doing related work on the shift. Supervision is provided to LPNs, Nurse Assistants, and Unit Clerks.
10. RESPONSIBILITY FOR WELFARE OF OTHERS - High frequency with which work performed by the staff RN may result in very serious physical or emotional harm to others. It is the responsibility of the professional RN to continuously uphold the highest degree of performance within currently defined and acceptable nursing practice standards.
11. MENTAL/VISUAL EFFORT - Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must demonstrate physical and emotional ability to meet agreed upon work schedule and performance standards required by the position. Required duties are such that concentrated attention must be applied on demand consistent with manual skill requirements in situations that may at times be stressful. Visual acuity necessary for reading charts and working with medical devices; color perception necessary for interpreting testing procedures involving color comparisons.
12. WORKING CONDITIONS OSHA job classification - This position is defined as a Category I in which the employee does have exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Position requires exposure to patients with infectious disease and odor. Must practice aseptic techniques and observe Standard Precautions. Participates in and complies with JRMC Safety Management program. Position is subject to frequent interruptions. Work may be on weekends and holidays; beyond normal working hours and/or temporarily in other positions when necessary.
13. PHYSICAL AND SENSORY EFFORT - Frequent standing or walking. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients and/or equipment. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and crouching. Needs finger dexterity when handling medication, specialized equipment and performing nursing assessments.
14. PROMOTION - No formal line of promotion.

EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS -

Visual Observation - Continuously

Standing - Continuously

Walking - Continuously

Sitting - Continuously

Hands and Finger Dexterity - Continuously

Reaching with Hands and Arms - Continuously

Climbing - Occasionally

Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling - Frequently

Hearing/Listening - Continuously

Tasting or Smelling - Occasionally

Working Inside - Continuously

Working Outside - Never

Working in Extreme Heat - Never

Working in Extreme Cold - Never

Working with Hazardous Materials - Frequently

Noise - Continuously

Working in Dirt/Dust - Rarely

Driving - Rarely

Lifting:

Up to 10 pounds - Frequently

Up to 25 pounds - Frequently

Up to 50 pounds - Occasionally

Up to 75 pounds - Occasionally

Up to 100 pounds - Occasionally

Over 100 pounds - Occasionally

Carrying:

Up to 10 pounds - Frequently

Up to 25 pounds - Frequently

Up to 50 pounds - Occasionally

Up to 75 pounds - Occasionally

Up to 100 pounds - Occasionally

Over 100 pounds - Occasionally

Pushing:

Up to 10 pounds - Frequently

Up to 25 pounds - Frequently

Up to 50 pounds - Occasionally

Up to 75 pounds - Occasionally

Up to 100 pounds - Occasionally

Over 100 pounds - Occasionally

Pulling:

Up to 10 pounds - Frequently

Up to 25 pounds - Frequently

Up to 50 pounds - Occasionally

Up to 75 pounds - Occasionally

Up to 100 pounds - Occasionally

Over 100 pounds - Occasionally