RN - NICU Registered Nurse

About the role

Provides and directs safe, effective, and culturally competent care for women, newborns, and pediatric patients. Utilizes evidence-based practice and critical thinking to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate outcome-based care. Manages a diverse patient population across labor and delivery, postpartum, newborn nursery, pediatrics, and/or pediatric intensive care, with varying levels of acuity. Supervises and coordinates care provided by LPNs, Patient Care Technicians/Assistants, and other team members, while ensuring clear communication with physicians, families, and the interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Conducts an initial assessment to gather data.
• Makes an initial assessment of new admissions within 30 minutes of the patient’s arrival to the unit.
• Completes all areas of the admission assessment database within 24 hours of admission.
• Identifies patient problems and develops them into an outcome/goal-based plan of care.
• Initiates the patient problem list and incorporates relevant obstetric, neonatal, or pediatric history into the plan of care.
• Analyzes and interprets assessment data to identify desired outcomes/goals for mother and child.
• Determines nursing interventions to achieve those outcomes/goals.
• Prioritizes care needs for both mother and infant.
• Identifies and makes appropriate referrals (e.g., Lactation Consultant, Social Services, Nutritional Services, Spiritual Care).
• Implements the outcome/goal-based plan of care.
• Sets priorities for patient care based on acuity and team member competencies.
• Coordinates care with Case Manager, Social Worker, and other disciplines.
• Aids in discharge planning, ensuring families have resources for newborn care, breastfeeding support, and pediatric follow-up.
• Uses nursing judgment to determine frequency and components of reassessment.
• Reassesses at regular intervals to monitor maternal recovery and newborn/pediatric progress.
• Documents discharge instructions for mother, infant, and/or caregiver.
• Evaluates patient progress and revises the plan as needed.
• Evaluates maternal and pediatric response(s) to interventions.
• Updates the plan of care based on ongoing reassessments.
• Evaluates patient progress and revises the outcome goal-based plan as needed.
• Evaluates patient response(s) to interventions.
• Reviews/modifies/revises the outcome-based plan of care based on ongoing reassessments.
• Updates the problem list and outcomes/goals.
• Communicates relevant clinical information to optimize outcomes.
• Communicates maternal and pediatric status to physicians and team members.
• Reports progress toward outcomes/goals and changes in condition promptly.
• Maintains ongoing communication with interdisciplinary team throughout the shift, at handoff, and during transfers.
• Documents completely and accurately per policy.
• Demonstrates clinical competence.
• Utilizes Women & Children-specific policies and procedures to guide practice.
• Ensures medication safety following the “5 Rights.”
• Demonstrates competency in electronic health record systems.
• Processes and implements physician orders accurately.
• Maintains communication with leadership regarding admissions, acuity, and significant events.
• Manages fetal and neonatal monitoring when applicable.
• Demonstrates competency in interpreting fetal heart tracings and neonatal vital signs.
• Responds appropriately to changes in maternal or neonatal condition.
• Provides interventions for obstetric or neonatal emergencies.
• Serves as a resource for other hospital services and participates in quality improvement initiatives.
• Provides age-appropriate care based on principles of growth and development.
• Collects, analyzes, and applies age-specific data for newborns, children, and adolescents.
• Performs tasks and uses equipment in an age-appropriate manner.
• Communicates effectively with patients and families at their developmental level.
• Adheres to safety and infection control standards.
• Attends required safety programs.
• Uses appropriate PPE consistently.
• Demonstrates emergency procedures for obstetric and pediatric emergencies.
• Maintains a safe environment for mothers, infants, and staff.
• Maintains compliance with laws, regulations, and organizational standards.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in nursing required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Current Iowa RN license, (current Illinois (IL) license if working in IL) required.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
• Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter – Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within three (3) months of hire.
• High language, intermediate to high math, high critical thinking ability.
• Basic computer skills required.