Registered Nurse (RN)

General Summary:

The Registered Nurse (RN) demonstrates clinical competence by utilizing the nursing process. The RN must assess and identify patient problems/needs, establish a plan of care, implement interventions, and evaluate and revise the patient plan of care based on patient progress.

Technical Quality of Care

• Provides nursing care based on the State of New Hampshire Scope of Nursing practice and hospital policy.

• Demonstrates ability to make independent judgments along with the ability to seek guidance and support from appropriate sources.

• Evaluates own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines, relevant statutes, rules, and regulations.

• Performs and documents physical and psychosocial assessment of patients.

• Develops a plan of care that includes educational needs within 24 hours of patient admission to meet identified patient needs, determine measurable expected outcomes, implements specific nursing interventions, evaluates patient progress each shift and revises care plan accordingly.

• Integrates research findings for providing evidence based practice.

• Delegates and oversees care delivered by LPNs, LNAs, EMTs and/or Paramedics and scrub technicians.

• Floats to assigned areas as needed.

• Actively and appropriately participates in problem-solving identification and resolution both intra and inter-departmentally.

Quality of Service

• Adopts a philosophy in which the patient and family are an integral part of the care team.

• Supports organizational efforts to continuously improve patient satisfaction scores.

• Attains knowledge and competency that reflects current nursing practice.

• Actively participates on unit or hospital wide committees or work groups and attends a majority of unit staff meetings per year.

• Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, cost, and impact on practice in the planning and delivery of nursing services.

• Demonstrates hospital’s mission and values of teamwork, respect, and communication with co-workers, patients, families, and visitors.

Peer and Co-worker Relationships

• Treats co-workers with courtesy and respect.

• Actively works to strengthen interdepartmental relationships.

• Consistently demonstrates customer service standards and strives to enhance the level of customer service provided.

• Practices zero tolerance for lateral hostility and gossip.

• Interacts with and contributes to the professional development of peers and colleagues.

• Demonstrates ability to give and accept feedback in a constructive manner.

Contributions to Hospital and Community

• Participates in relevant quality improvement activities or community services.

• Supports actions and decisions in accordance with Speare Hospital’s mission and strategic initiatives.

• Regularly reviews and revises career goals for personal and professional growth.

• Complies with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, and regulations as related to job.

Patient Safety/Patient Rights

• Participates in unit/hospital efforts to reduce adverse patient care events.

• Protects patient information and confidences.

• Provides comfort the patients and families, including prompt and effective nursing management.

• Collaborates with patient, family, and others in the conduct of nursing practice.

• Integrates ethical provisions in all areas of practice.

Performs Charge Nurse Duties as Needed

• Provides leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.

• Provides clinical support and collaborates with nursing staff in order to provide optimal patient care.

• Ensures continuity of patient care by planning staff assignments, supports staff by assisting with patient care, and provides direct patient care.

• Adjusts staffing according to census, acuity, staff skill mix, and other nursing department needs.

• Deals effectively with problems as they arise. This may include environmental issues, equipment malfunctions, supply issues, or personnel issues.

• Ensures daily departmental tasks are assigned and completed.

• Assigns meal and rest breaks in accordance with hospital policy.

• Communicates and provides updated information to appropriate stakeholders.

• Coaches and develops staff in conjunction with the nursing director.

• Holds staff members accountable.

• Assists with departmental projects and with process improvement initiatives.

• Acts as the director’s designee in the absence of the director.

• The charge nurse exhibits the following behaviors:

• Effective communication

• Role modeling

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Conflict resolution

• Maintains confidentiality

• Demonstrates global and critical thinking.

Qualifications:

• Education

Required: Associates Degree or Diploma in Nursing.

Preferred: Bachelor of Nursing.

• Work Experience

Required: Experience in a health care setting.

Preferred: Previous experience in a hospital setting serving the same age/type of patient population.

• Licensure/Certifications/Registrations

Required:

1. Must be a licensed Registered Nurse in the State of New Hampshire. Have current BLS certification (adult, child, and infant).

1. ACLS preferred for hire in Intensive Care, Emergency Department, and Surgical Services; required within 12 months of hire.

1. PALS preferred for hire in Intensive Care and Ambulatory Care Unit; required within 12 months of hire.

1. NRP preferred for hire in for Birthing Suite; required within 12 months of hire.

1. ENPC or PALS is required within 12 months of hire for all ED nurses.

Preferred:

1. ACLS preferred for M&S and Birthing Suite.

1. ACLS, PALS or ENPC, and TNCC preferred for Emergency Dept.

1. Specialty certification in nursing preferred.