The Registered Nurse (Hospital-Based) is a competent registered nurse that will deliver nursing care to patients of varying age groups by utilizing the nursing process and nursing practice standards.  The Registered Nurse (Hospital-Based) uses:

• Nursing Practice Competencies to intervene to achieve safe, optimal patient and family centered care health outcomes;
• Leadership Competencies to coordinate patient care and communicate with the care team;
• Professional Profile Competencies to develop professionally as a life-long learner, and
• Practice Outcomes Competencies to evaluate care based on evidence, the UofL Health quality model, and patient safety goals.

The Registered Nurse (Hospital-Based) demonstrates competency caring for complex patients and participates on the care team to improve the quality of care in the clinical area.

Under the supervision of a clinical nurse manager, this position will provide nursing care to patients, and:

• Conducts systematic, continuous and comprehensive assessments of patient health status from admission or encounter to discharge across the care continuum to ensure patient safety, collaborating with the healthcare team, patient and family; care addresses all aspects of the individual and family, including age, gender, spiritual, cultural, physical, psychosocial and patient preferences and proactively uses safety surveillance to prevent adverse outcomes
• Independently administers medications per licensure authority, assesses and reassesses the effects of these medications, and documents administration in a timely manner per policies, procedures and regulatory requirements; consistently adheres to patient safety guidelines regarding all aspects of medication administration
• In collaboration with patient and family, plans care using current scientific knowledge, theory, and care standards within the nursing interventions and outcomes framework and national patient safety goals; constructs individualized, age-specific plans for optimal patient and family outcomes, as appropriate to the practice setting; incorporates data from the multi-disciplinary care team into the plan of care to assure continuity and appropriate patient teaching
• In collaboration with patient and family, identifies and prioritizes patient problems based on subjective and objective assessment data, patient safety considerations, patient and family goals and preferences, and nursing interventions and the medical plan of care
• Implements nursing care interventions to meet patient and family center health care needs. Demonstrates competent skills, appropriate clinical judgments and chain of command to promote patient safety and reach planned care goals and outcomes
• Competently and consistently assesses, conducts and evaluates the outcomes of patient and family teaching, from admission, or episode of care, to discharge, teaching reflects sensitivity to age, learning needs and cultural background
• Evaluates care by performing regular and systematic reviews of patient /family responses to interventions; revises the multi-disciplinary plan of care in collaboration with other care Team members to promote desired outcomes; recognizes care variances and takes steps to prevent or intervene with potential or real adverse events to promote safe care
• Serves as an advocate for the patient and family, demonstrates respect for their rights, responsibilities, and sensitivity to their preferences; prepares the patient and family for discharge; obtains feedback to promote positive patient satisfaction outcomes
• Works collaboratively, with appropriate monitoring and delegation, with unlicensed assistive healthcare providers, per regulatory and legal requirements, assuring safe patient care delivery.
• Demonstrates professional conduct and appearance and is accountable for actions and outcomes
• Orients new members of the healthcare team as well as supervises students in the performance of assigned duties
• May act in the role of relief charge nurse when the unit need arises
• Maintains professional competency through continuing education, ongoing competency demonstration, licensure and professional activities; demonstrates valuing life-long learning
• Participates in evidence-based practice activities, such as journal clubs, and discusses outcomes of care with colleagues, demonstrating knowledge of care indicators; takes steps to improve care delivery by self and team and remains up-to-date with compliance, regulatory and accreditation standards
• Actively participates as a collaborative member of the healthcare team by communicating constructively using core behavioral standards. Identifies clinical and interdepartmental problems, resolving conflicts appropriately on behalf of the care team and patients; demonstrates ability to give and receive peer review and feedback, incorporating this into his or her practice
• Performs duties in a cost-effective manner, striving to avoid wasting hospital resources without jeopardizing quality of care and service
• Maintains compliance with all company policies, procedures and standards of conduct
• Complies with HIPAA privacy and security requirements to maintain confidentiality at all times
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education:

• Associate’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program is (required)
  • All new-hire Associate Degree Registered Nurses (new graduate and experienced) are required to start an approved BSN program within one (1) year of hire and complete an approved BSN program within three (3) years of hire (required)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program (preferred)

Experience:

• All new RN graduates will participate in the Nurse Residency program and must successfully complete all activities (required)
• Two years of hospital patient care experience (preferred)

Licensure:

• Current KY RN licensure or compact license with privileges to work in Kentucky (required)

Certification:

• Basic Life Saving (BLS) accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) (required)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) (may be required for specific clinical areas)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) (may be required for specific clinical areas)

   

  Note: additional, specialized certifications may be required or preferred based on unit