Summary:

The Nurse Residency Program is designed to assist newly graduated nursing students with the transition from nursing school to a confident, competent, Registered Nurse. Through your first year as a Registered Nurse at Regional One Health, you will receive additional support and training from the Nurse Residency Program Coordinator, Professional Development Specialists, and experienced preceptors to allow for integration and socialization into the culture of professional nursing. Monthly Residency Program educational sessions will supplement your unit based orientation with additional hands on training, simulation, expert lectures, and small group discussions. The Residency classes provide didactic, evidence-based content essential to developing your clinical and interpersonal communication skills, and confidence in your practice. In daily practice, the Staff Nurse will care for patients on their assigned unit and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.

Education Requirement:

Qualified by education, training or experience to work with the school age, adolescent, adult and/or geriatric patient population as specialty assignment dictates. Graduated from an accredited nursing school, eligible to sit for the RN exam.

Experience Requirement:

New graduate or less than 12 months experience as an RN.

Licensure/Certification Requirement:

Registered Nurse licensure to work in state of TN. Current CPR/BLS certification required.

Key Job Responsibilities:

1. Provides nursing care according to medical regimen and the nursing interventions appropriate for the patients' conditions and according to established standards, policies and procedures including care of the ambulatory practice patient.

• Initiates assessment based on the patient's presenting problems or needs, the physician's medical diagnosis and the functional health framework upon visit.
• Collects key information from patient, family, laboratory, and other medical reports. Ensures that all consents necessary for treatment/procedure have been signed and that all prescribed identification procedures have been carried out.
• Determines nursing diagnosis and priorities for care with special consideration given to patient teaching, discharge planning, and the growth and development needs of the patient.
• Determines which standards of care and practice apply to the patient.
• Documents assessment, including nursing diagnoses or other clinical judgments.
• Demonstrates knowledge, technical, interpersonal and critical thinking skills to provide care, manage clinical competency and meet age-specific patient needs within the unit.

1. Completes ongoing assessments according to outpatient and nursing policy and/or as determined by patient condition:

•  re-prioritizes care based on new information,
•  continues to update nursing diagnoses, and
•  involves family and/or other significant individuals in assessment activities.

1. Documents care based on standards of care and practice and/or clinical priorities for documentation including:

• assessment and ongoing assessment findings
• updated clinical priorities for documentation
• therapeutic nursing interventions with special attention to patient education
• patient's response to interventions and progress towards outcomes are noted
• Responds and/or participates with medical emergencies. Initiates and/or assists with CPR/BLS as required.

1. Provides teaching to patient/family in the care of disease/condition. Develops and implements patient teaching outlines including objectives, content, teaching strategies and evaluation of patient progress.
2. Maintains patient medical records; documents patient status and care given; performs charting duties; records activities and observations. Utilizes patient computer systems to enter and retrieve data.

1. Confers and works collaboratively with patient/family/hospital staff regarding all aspects of patient needs in a customer responsive and courteous manner, in compliance with iRESPECT Standards and promoting patient/customer satisfaction.
2. Maintains a position in hiring unit, in good standing for at least 1 year after the beginning of residency. After the first year, may transfer within the facility.
3. Transports monitored patients, specimens, equipment and supplies to and from various areas.
4. Collaborates with forensic team and security to provide safe environment for patients in custody.
5. Completes required continuous training and education, including department specific requirements.

• Attends staff meetings, all mandatory in-services, and additional continuing education as required.
• Contributes to the annual review of unit-based scope statement and determination of important aspects of care for clinical review.
• Assists in the development of indicators, thresholds, study methods, and data collection as assigned.
• Responds to problems/opportunities to improve care.
• Supports and is involved in the organization’s performance improvement initiatives.
• Participates in and maintains competencies required for the position.
• Completes an Evidenced Based Project within the guidelines of the Nurse Residency program.
• Attends all monthly Residency education sessions.

1. Maintains a clean, orderly, safe environment for patients and personnel. Adheres to established policies, compliance/quality improvement, and safety, environment and infection control standards.
2. Prepares and maintains required records, reports and files for administrative and compliance purposes.
3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
4. Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability and willingness to apply nursing knowledge and skills and maintain clinical competency as required in assigned area.
• Demonstrated skill in the use of applicable equipment; mature judgment and initiative required; is able to work without direct supervision; shows professional interest through self-development, continuing education, and involvement in professional organizations; presents a positive attitude and professional appearance.
• Ability to give and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to react and perform under stress in emergency situations
• Ability to effectively record and reflect observations.
• Ability to plan and organize work for self and others.
• Ability to exercise analytical judgment on work to be done.

Supervision Provided by this Job:

• There are no lead or supervisory responsibilities assigned to this job.

Physical Demands/Conditions:

Prolonged standing and walking; lifting, turning patients and equipment; repeated bending, squatting and stooping; exposure to infectious agents. Visual acuity is needed to assess color changes, to verify accuracy of written materials, and to administer and accurately prepare medications. Heavy Work - Exerting up to 150 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 75 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 30 pounds of force constantly to move objects. (May be further defined as "with or without assistance.")