RN New Graduate Nurse- 6BT: Med Surg

About the Role

This 24-bed medical surgical unit provides comprehensive care for patients requiring both acute and intermediate levels of care. This unit supports patients with complex medical needs, post-operative recovery, chronic illness management, and transitional levels of care. The variety of patient types creates a fast-paced, engaging clinical environment that promotes continuous learning, adaptability, and professional growth. We embrace change, continuous improvement, and innovation, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our patients and community while maintaining exceptional standards of care.

Program Overview

The twelve-month UNC Health Rex Nurse Residency program supports the transition from academia to practice for new graduate nurses. The wrap-around support from all levels of nursing is designed to assist new nurses in developing competence and confidence in the professional role. In addition to clinical orientation on the unit, the Residency program provides structured clinical and professional growth.

• The first component involves engaging classroom sessions highly focused on clinical skills and issues relevant to the unit and service line of the participants.
• The next component comprises continuing education professional development sessions, as well as completion of a group evidence-based practice project.
• Within the 12-month program, participants will complete milestones as defined by their unit and attend regular check-ins with their unit leadership and educator.

Program Goals

• Increase proficiency – from novice to competent nurse
• Promote evidence-based practice at the bedside to ensure best patient outcomes
• Develop clinical leadership skills at the point of care

Qualifications

• New Graduate Nurse: Graduation from a school of professional nursing
• Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of North Carolina by the day of clinical care
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification
• If hired after January 6, 2014, must be enrolled within four years of employment and obtain a Bachelor's degree with a major in Nursing or a Master's degree with a major in Nursing within seven years of employment date

Definition of New Graduate Nurse

• Nursing student in their final semester of nursing program; or
• Nursing graduate within 12 months of graduation; and
• RN who has worked less than 6 months as a registered nurse

Responsibilities

• Patient Assessment: Recognizes data from complex situations to determine priorities for care. Includes appropriate physical, psychosocial, education and safety needs. Synthesizes assessment data into meaningful whole prior to communication to others. Assesses and anticipates discharge needs of individual patients and families. Develops relationships with families that promote their ability to advocate for the patient and their own needs.
• Planning: Collaborates with patient/family to prepare or update the plan of care. Makes use of available multidisciplinary resources in planning care. Begins to use full range of communication as a means to convey planning. Identifies and addresses cultural and ethnic issues in planning patient care. Demonstrates ability to prioritize tasks for patients with complex problems.
• Implementation: Demonstrates competence in care of patients with complex problems, including population-appropriate physical, psychosocial, educational and safety aspects of care. Performs bedside point of care testing as required for patient care plan. Utilizes healthcare organization and nursing standards, policies and procedures in delivery of care. Organizes and prioritizes care according to patient/family needs. Consults with appropriate resources in a timely fashion regarding patients with complex care issues, unusual teaching needs and/or those at high risk for discharge planning.
• Evaluation of Care: Identifies expected patient outcomes. Seeks guidance as needed in revision of plan of care. Participates in discussion with members of the interdisciplinary team in evaluation of patient care. Communicates relevant information to promote continuity of care.
• Education: Participates in identifying and meeting learning needs of self. Attends education programs based on identified learning needs. With assistance, uses patient education materials relevant to patient population. Assesses readiness to learn of the patient/family/caregivers. Assesses developmental level of patient and factors affecting ability to learn.
• Leadership: With assistance, develops goals to promote professional growth or minimize limitations. Achieves goals and objectives within identified time frame or renegotiates with supervisor. Is knowledgeable about activities which facilitate intra/interdepartmental collaboration. Participates in development and achievement of unit goals and performance improvement activities. Effectively uses communication systems. Participates in promoting cost-effective care. Gives feedback to co-workers. Is aware of public policy and regulatory guidelines affecting the health care environment. Promotes a safe, clean and secure hospital environment for all.
• Research: Reads journals that contain studies or articles that may be applicable to practice. Brings ideas and questions to the staff at large for assessment of applicability.

Incentives

• Up to $25,000 tuition loan forgiveness or $10,000 Commitment Incentive (for select departments only)
• Up to $5,000 in relocation assistance (based on location)
• Employee referral program

Schedule

Full Time, 36 hours per week. Variable schedule. Onsite work assignment.

Pay

Starting at $32.55 per hour; pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity.