Registered Nurse, Trauma Stepdown, Days - VUH

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. We are a community of individuals who come to work each day with the aim of changing the world through expertise, continuous learning, and exceptional care. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where uniqueness is celebrated.

About the Role

Applies the nursing process to plan and implement the care of patients, including patient and family education and continuum of care planning. Effectively communicates pertinent patient/family information to the health care team. Collaborates in establishing patient goals and evaluates progress to ensure effective outcomes. Furthers professional growth by engaging in learning activities according to the Board of Nursing standards.

This role is based in the 8S Trauma Stepdown unit, a 22-bed unit with a typical nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:3 or 1:4. You will care for adult patients with traumatic injuries involving multiple body systems, including trauma rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury, and accidental trauma injuries.

Position Highlights

• Relocation bonus available for eligible candidates
• Nurse Student Loan Repayment program
• Fast-paced, dynamic, and unpredictable unit
• Learn something new every day
• Only nationally verified Level 1 trauma center in Middle Tennessee, covering 80,000 square miles
• Magnet-designated organization
• #1 ranked hospital in Nashville and Tennessee (U.S. News and World Report 2024-2025)

Schedule

7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, three 12-hour shifts per week (36 hours total), including some weekends.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates in establishing the plan of care, coordinates and implements care delivery while anticipating patient care needs across the continuum.
• Analyzes comprehensive information pertinent to the patient's care and management to determine nursing diagnosis.
• Continually utilizes the nursing process to evaluate patient's progress toward goals and applies appropriate interventions to ensure effective outcomes.
• Employs strategies to promote health and a safe and healthy environment.
• Demonstrates ability to anticipate resource needs, identify distinct tasks, set priorities, schedule activities, meet deadlines, and organize work within areas of direct responsibility.
• Competently handles multiple assignments simultaneously by prioritizing work into manageable units.
• Adapts to changes in patient care and unit needs with minimal disruption and loss of productivity.
• Provides patient education in practical applications of moderate difficulty.
• Conducts primary care patient interviews and physical examinations.
• Gathers pertinent clinical data to aid in referral, treatment, or other primary care pathways.
• Searches for evidence to answer clinical questions, generally under the direction of others.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of RN experience
• Nursing degree from an approved program
• State or Compact RN License (TN license required within 60 days of establishing Tennessee residency, even if holding a compact license)

Skills

• Care Planning (Novice): Demonstrates ability to anticipate resource needs, set priorities, and organize work. Handles multiple assignments by prioritizing tasks and adapting to changes.
• Nursing Patient Education (Novice): Proficient in providing patient education for practical applications of moderate difficulty.
• Nursing Patient Assessment & Evaluation (Novice): Proficient in assessing and evaluating patients, conducting interviews, and physical examinations. Recognizes problems and collaborates with the healthcare team.
• Evidence-Based Practice (Novice): Proficient in searching for evidence to answer clinical questions, generally under guidance.

Benefits

• Affordable, high-quality health plan options
• Dental and/or vision plans
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Paid Time Off (flexible PTO)
• Tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance (with maximums applied)
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Subsidized backup childcare
• Inpatient nursing supplemental pay program

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with an understanding of how output impacts other areas.
• Problem Solving: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area.
• Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.
• Supporting Colleagues: Invests in self and others to improve performance and builds relationships through regular contact with colleagues.
• Delivering Excellent Services: Serves others with compassion, solves complex problems, and offers meaningful advice and support.
• Ensuring High Quality: Engages in dialogue about quality, addresses issues promptly, and ensures continuous improvement.
• Managing Resources Effectively: Demonstrates accountability, stewards organizational resources, and makes data-driven decisions.
• Fostering Innovation: Generates new ideas, applies technology, and adapts to change.

Vanderbilt’s nursing philosophy centers on highly skilled and specialized care as essential to our mission of quality in patient care, education, and research. Nursing at VUMC is an applied art and science focused on helping people, families, and communities reach excellent health and well-being.