RN, Staff Nurse - Children's Hospital - Children's Emergency Department - Full-time - Nights

About the Role

A registered professional nurse employed by Erlanger Health System is responsible for the practice of nursing according to the rules and regulations defined by the state's Nurse Practice Act, Erlanger's Models of Care/Practice, policies and procedures. The nurse is responsible for the delivery of patient care as assigned and for the supervision of other qualified staff to whom the nurse has delegated patient care in the exercise of his/her independent judgement. The nurse addresses physical, spiritual, emotional, and educational needs of the patient and coordinates the plan of care with other healthcare professionals. The nurse is responsible for participation in and completion of all patient safety initiatives appropriate to the position. In addition, the nurse conducts all job responsibilities according to the Mission, Vision, and Values of Erlanger Health System.

Core Competencies

All bedside nurses are placed on a matrix system which includes five core competencies:

• Customer-Focus
• Cost-Effective Care
• Communication
• Competent Care
• Compassionate Care

Plus quality performance indicators that may be organizational and/or unit-based. This matrix guides nurses based on the Benner Model of novice to expert and is utilized to note the RN's engagement, advancement and professional development.

Education

• Required: Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing
• Preferred: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Experience

• Required: None
• Preferred: Prior experience in the delivery of patient care in a similar care setting

Licenses & Certifications

• Required:
  • Current licensure privileges to practice nursing in the state of employment
  • BLS completed prior to going to the unit/department and maintained going forward
  • ACLS required within 6 months and maintained ongoing thereafter (optional for Children's Emergency Department)
  • PALS required within 6 months and maintained ongoing thereafter
  • TNCC or comparable education within 1 year and maintained ongoing thereafter
  • ENPC or comparable education within 1 year for EDs who see and treat children and maintained ongoing thereafter
  • De-escalation training/certification (e.g., CPI) within 6 months and maintained ongoing thereafter
  • NIHSS required prior to completion of departmental orientation and maintained ongoing thereafter
  • Tennessee licensure or multistate licensure from a compact state must be obtained within three months of hire for non-Tennessee residents (The Nurse Licensure Compact will not change how to obtain or renew a Tennessee license; Tennessee nursing license will be a single state license for Tennessee Residents or non-compact state residents)
• Preferred: Nationally recognized certification: CEN, CPEN, TCRN, CCRN recommended

Responsibilities

The professional nurse provides safe and effective patient care by using evidence based best practices. Responsibilities include:

• Utilize hand off communication and bedside shift report to effectively communicate with other members of the healthcare team
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment by understanding and complying with hospital policies/procedures, and identifying and communicating risks that have potential impact to patient safety
• Perform and document comprehensive and holistic assessments while interpreting and responding to abnormal diagnostic data
• Anticipate potential emergency situations and intervene safely and appropriately with assistance if needed
• Develop a relationship with patient/family that facilitates mutual involvement in the planning of care
• Demonstrate basic critical thinking skills
• Document in a concise, accurate, and complete manner reflecting adherence to hospital, regulatory and legal requirements
• Complete population-specific mandatory education competencies as defined by the unit specific scope of service
• Provide culturally competent care to patients and families
• Demonstrate awareness of evidence based practice
• Utilize appropriate time management and meet expectations for punctuality and attendance
• Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling to support the staffing needs of patient care areas
• Communicate effectively with patients, family members, and all members of the interdisciplinary team, seeking assistance for conflict resolution as needed
• Implement the plan of care and identify resources to meet patient care needs
• Identify and communicate changes in patient conditions that may impact unit staffing levels or the provision of safe patient care
• Contribute to a healthy work environment by exhibiting professional behaviors and seeking assistance in addressing interpersonal conflicts
• Take responsibility for meeting education and mandatory programs by completing hospital and unit-based competencies
• Demonstrate knowledge of and contribute positively to unit based performance improvement outcomes
• Update their individual matrix with specific information to reflect accomplishments