Registered Nurse (RN - Hospital) - Patient Care Unit

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.

Schedule

• Full-time, benefited position working 72 hours per pay period
• Days of work: Sunday–Saturday
• Scheduled shifts: day/night rotation with occasional evening shifts
• Weekend rotation: 12-hour shifts every third weekend
• Holiday work: every third holiday per year
• Shift hours:
  • 7:00 am – 7:30 pm
  • 7:00 pm – 7:30 am
  • Occasional variations: 7:00 am – 3:30 pm, 11:00 pm – 7:30 am, 3:00 pm – 11:30 pm

Will cross-train to ICU after demonstrating competence on PCU.

Responsibilities

• 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 (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 (e.g., 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

Requirements

• 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)
• Completion of BLS CPR certification
• Required to attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist
• Previous work experience preferred but not required for staff RN positions in Patient Care Unit (PCU)
• ICU, FBP, ED, 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 for entry-level staff RN; 3 weeks to 3 months following orientation for ICU, FBP, ED, and PACU RN positions
• Punctual and regular attendance is required
• High level of analytical ability required to gather and interpret complex data and find solutions to difficult problems
• Independent nursing judgment is required based on established policies and procedures
• Very frequent contact with others; must demonstrate social sensitivity and the ability to communicate effectively in a professional manner
• May be required to plan, assign work to, and check the work of 1 to 5 nursing personnel (LPNs, Nurse Assistants, and Unit Clerks)
• High responsibility for the welfare of others; must continuously uphold the highest degree of performance within currently defined and acceptable nursing practice standards
• 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
• 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

Working Conditions

• OSHA job classification: Category I (exposure to bloodborne pathogens)
• 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
• Subject to frequent interruptions
• Work may be on weekends and holidays; beyond normal working hours and/or temporarily in other positions when necessary
• 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

Physical Requirements

• Visual Observation: Continuously
• Standing: Frequently
• Walking: Frequently
• Sitting: Occasionally
• Hands and Finger Dexterity: Continuously
• Reaching with Hands and Arms: Continuously
• Climbing: Rarely
• Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling: Frequently
• Hearing/Listening: Continuously
• Tasting or Smelling: Occasionally
• Working Inside: Continuously
• Working Outside: Rarely
• Working in Extreme Heat: Never
• Working in Extreme Cold: Never
• Working with Hazardous Materials: Rarely
• Noise: Occasionally
• Working in Dirt/Dust: Rarely
• Driving: Rarely
• Lifting / Carrying / Pushing / Pulling:
  • Up to 10 pounds: Continuously
  • Up to 25 pounds: Continuously
  • Up to 50 pounds: Continuously
  • Up to 75 pounds: Occasionally
  • Up to 100 pounds: Rarely
  • Over 100 pounds: Never

A comprehensive background check and drug screening will be conducted as a condition of employment for this role. A urine drug screening is required for all positions and must be completed within 30 days of the date of hire.