Description Summary: Responsible for patient assessment, patient care planning, and provision of quality nursing care to an assigned group of patients for a defined work period. Provides direction and supervision to LVN/LPNs, nursing assistants, unit secretaries, and other clinical/clerical associates. By assignment, may function as a charge nurse for the unit. Involves provision of patient care/service to older adolescents, young adults, adults, geriatric and pediatric patients.
Patient Care Planning
Develops a comprehensive nursing care plan which addresses all significant needs and problems identified through nursing assessment.
Prepares nursing elements of the interdisciplinary care plan prior to the initial team conference.
Reviews and updates nursing care plan and collaborates with team members as changes occur.
Patient Care Provision
Implements patient care as planned in nursing care plan and interdisciplinary care plan.
Provides safe and therapeutic care and seeks resources when appropriate.
Safely performs and accurately documents procedures, consistent with established nursing policy and procedure.
Patient Care Evaluation
Evaluates progress toward nursing goals and revises goals as needed on a weekly basis.
Completes nursing progress note for assigned patients on a daily basis.
Completes nursing flow sheets for assigned patients on a daily basis.
Evaluates education needs of patient and significant others and documents their response to teaching.
Acts as role model for health care students and other team members.
Patient Care Communication
Reports and documents accurately and concisely to appropriate persons the patient's condition.
Applies basic verbal and nonverbal skills to maintain open, effective communication among care team members, patients, and significant others.
Encourages direct discussion between staff members when differences occur and seeks assistance to arbitrate differences as needed.
Identifies actual and potentially unsafe patient care practices, reports them in the designated manner, and suggests alternatives.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, preferred
Six months to a year of experience as a licensed RN or holder of an active GN permit
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
RN License in state of employment or compact
Graduate Nurse Permit
Associates with an unsuccessful licensure application or on the 75th day following the effective date of the temporary permit; will be transferred to another position within CHRISTUS Health
All newly hired experienced RNs must attend New Nurses Orientation within the first 30 days of hire.
New hires are precepted by a designated trained staff member and initial on-boarding requirements are validated through successful completion of the designated organizational entry competency validation and a MedSurg specific competency validation.
Skills completion and competency completion will be achieved with the preceptor at the bedside and documented through the programs tracking software.
One year of experience in a related nursing specialty preferred.
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
~ In accordance with the CHRISTUS Health License, Certification and Registration Verification Policy, all Associates are required to obtain required certifications for their respective positions within the designated time frame.
Any Candidate/Associate with at least one year of acute care clinical experience in a similar service line within the past three years is considered anExperienced Associate.
Any Candidate/Associatewho doesnothave at least one year of full-time acute care clinical experience in the same service line within the past three years is considered anExperienced Associate New to the Specialty.
New Graduates & Experienced Associates New to the Specialty
Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum (TNCC)Within 60 days of hire. Trauma Care After Resuscitation (TCAR)Within 60 days of hire. AWHONN INTERMEDIATE FHM (Fetal Heart Monitoring)Within 30 days of hire. Full Time