Registered Nurse PRN Days

About the Role

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Baton Rouge, the Registered Nurse assumes primary leadership accountability and responsibility for milieu management and directing patient care activities of other nursing staff. The role involves maintaining standards of professional nursing practice, assessing patients using the nursing process, and formulating individualized plans of care to promote long-term wellness through inpatient and outpatient psychiatric counseling and treatment options.

The Registered Nurse interprets age/disability-specific information, ensures safe medication delivery, and provides thorough, accurate reporting and documentation of patient symptoms, responses, and progress. This role also includes responsibility for professional development, continuing education, and maintaining licensure.

Responsibilities

• Utilize the nursing process (assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation) to formulate nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
• Identify risk levels, precautions, and expected outcomes, including discharge planning; prescribe and evaluate interventions.
• Conduct ongoing patient assessments from admission to discharge and initiate crisis intervention as needed.
• Demonstrate knowledge of psychiatric disorders and implement appropriate nursing interventions tailored to patient needs.
• Administer medications safely, provide medication education, and recognize adverse drug reactions.
• Review, revise, and update medical records within facility guidelines and timeframes.
• Transcribe and implement physician’s orders; document care, progress, and responses accurately.
• Follow up on client care responsibilities, communicate incomplete assignments, and ensure continuity of care.
• Delegate duties and assignments using sound judgment; advocate for patient needs and safety.
• Utilize nursing resources to enhance evidence-based practice and meet facility, patient, and staff needs.
• Float among various clinical services where qualified and competent; perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Current, valid, and active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of employment (Compact licenses acceptable).
• Minimum of an Associate Degree in Nursing.
• One year of inpatient hospital experience strongly preferred.

Qualifications & Skills

• Ability to adapt to a high-stress environment and assess potential for patient escalation.
• Strong oral and written communication skills to achieve positive results with internal and external customers.
• Highly organized with sensitivity to serve culturally diverse and special needs populations (e.g., Chronically Mentally Ill, Geriatric, Chemical Dependency).
• Basic knowledge of normal physical and emotional development.
• Critical thinking abilities for continuous improvement of patient care.
• Self-confidence and conceptual thinking to lead and direct others.
• Must complete CPR certification and an Oceans-approved behavioral health de-escalation program.

Work Environment

• Subject to frequent interruptions and pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries.
• 12-hour rotating shifts in a high-paced, potentially stressful atmosphere.
• Exposure to disagreeable odors, sights, and unpredictable patient behavior.
• Spends approximately 90% or more of time indoors with protection from weather but not necessarily temperature changes.

Oceans Behavioral Hospital offers sponsorships for Registered Nurses.