Graduate Nurse Emergency Department

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible to the Manager for the overall nursing practice of the unit for the shift of assignment. In the absence of the Unit Manager, the GN is responsible to the Nursing Supervisor, Charge Nurse or the Nursing House Supervisor of the shift. The GN must practice under the supervision of a registered nurse.

Provides professional nursing care based on current nursing knowledge through use of the nursing process. This includes the responsibility for assessment of the patient's needs, development of the plan of care to meet those needs, implementation of nursing measures and evaluation of the effectiveness of the nursing care and other treatment measures.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1. High School education or equivalent.
2. Graduate of an accredited nursing program.

Experience:

1. Relevant experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Demonstrates a high level of mental and emotional tolerance and even temperament when dealing with ill people.
2. Uses tact, sensitivity, sound judgment and a professional attitude when relating with patients, families and co-workers at all times.

License/Certification/Registration:

1. Current PA RN licensure pending with practice permit.
2. Meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.
3. After four months from the hire/transfer date, meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and renews ACLS every two years.
4. After six months from the hire/transfer date, meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and renews PALS every two years.
5. Within four months from the hire/transfer date, obtains National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification, renew one year later by December 31st and then renews by December 31st every 2 years thereafter.
6. Within three months from the hire/transfer date, completes Crisis Prevention Institute’s (CPI) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and renews every two years thereafter.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives direct supervision from the Unit Director/Manager/Nursing Supervisor/Nursing House Supervisor. May also be accountable to the Charge Nurse. Performs functions under close supervision and is expected to consult frequently with the supervisor on matters requiring professional judgment.  Graduate nurses are not given charge responsibility for a unit and are not assigned as the only professional nurse on the unit.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. The Graduate Nurse Collects Patient Health Data by:
   1. Prioritizing data collection based on the patient's immediate condition or needs.
   2. Collecting data using appropriate assessment techniques based on the patient's developmental, health status and identified learning needs. 
   3. Involving the patient, significant others, and health care providers when appropriate in data collection.
   4. Using a data collection process that is systematic and ongoing.
   5. Documenting relevant data in a retrievable form.
2. The Graduate Nurse Analyzes the Assessment Data in Determining Diagnoses that are:
   1. Derived from the assessment data.
   2. Validated with the patient, significant others, and health care providers.
   3. Documented in a manner that facilitates the determination of expected outcomes and plan of care.
3. The Graduate Nurse Identifies Expected Outcomes Individualized to the Patient.  Outcomes are:
   1. Derived from the diagnoses.
   2. Documented as measurable goals.
   3. Formulated with the patient and health care providers when possible.
   4. Realistic in relation to the patient's present and potential capabilities.
   5. Attainable in relation to resources available to the patient.
   6. Attainable within the time estimate established.
   7. Directed toward providing continuity of care.
4. The Graduate Nurse Develops A Plan of Care that Prescribes Interventions to Attain Expected Outcomes.  The Plan:
   1. Is individualized to meet the patient's developmental and health status needs.
   2. Is developed with the patient, significant others and health care providers, when appropriate.
   3. Reflects current nursing practice.
   4. Includes appropriate interventions to meet the patient's identified learning needs.
   5. Is documented.
   6. Provides for continuity of care inc