Graduate Nurse Emergency Department

Mount Nittany Health•State College, PA

About The Position

The Graduate Nurse provides professional nursing care in the Emergency Department based on current nursing knowledge and the nursing process. The role includes assessing patient needs, developing and implementing plans of care, and evaluating the effectiveness of nursing interventions and other treatment measures. The Graduate Nurse practices under the supervision of a registered nurse and receives direct supervision from the Unit Director, Manager, Nursing Supervisor, or Nursing House Supervisor, and may also be accountable to the Charge Nurse. The position operates under close supervision, with frequent consultation on matters requiring professional judgment. Graduate Nurses are not given unit charge responsibility and are not assigned as the only professional nurse on the unit. The role involves collecting and analyzing patient data; identifying diagnoses and measurable expected outcomes; developing and documenting individualized plans of care; implementing safe, appropriate interventions; and evaluating patient progress and revising care plans as needed. The Graduate Nurse also participates in quality improvement, maintains and develops professional knowledge and skills, collaborates with patients, families, and health care providers, advocates for patients, and considers safety, effectiveness, and cost in care delivery. Leadership activities may include prioritizing and delegating care activities as appropriate and accepting assignments as a Charge Nurse after licensure.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent.
Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Current Pennsylvania RN licensure pending with a practice permit.
Meet American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) standards and renew every two years.
Meet American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) standards within four months of hire or transfer and renew every two years.
Meet American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) standards within six months of hire or transfer and renew every two years.
Demonstrate mental and emotional tolerance and an even temperament when dealing with ill people.
Use tact, sensitivity, sound judgment, and a professional attitude when relating to patients, families, and coworkers.
Practice under registered nurse supervision and consult frequently with the supervisor on matters requiring professional judgment.

Nice To Haves

Relevant experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Collect and document systematic, ongoing patient health data using appropriate assessment techniques and prioritizing according to the patient's condition and needs.
Analyze assessment data to determine nursing diagnoses, validate diagnoses with the patient and relevant others when appropriate, and document them.
Identify individualized, measurable, realistic expected outcomes with the patient and health care providers when possible.
Develop and document individualized plans of care that address patient needs, learning needs, and continuity of care, including post-discharge care.
Implement the interventions in the plan of care safely and appropriately, and document them.
Evaluate patient progress and responses to interventions; revise diagnoses, outcomes, and the plan of care as needed, documenting changes and involving relevant parties when appropriate.
Participate in quality-of-care activities, identify opportunities to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes, and implement changes under RN supervision.
Evaluate personal nursing practice against professional standards and applicable statutes and regulations; seek feedback and pursue identified development goals.
Maintain and expand nursing knowledge and clinical skills through ongoing education and clinical experience.
Contribute to the professional development of peers and colleagues by sharing knowledge, providing constructive feedback, and supporting clinical education as appropriate.
Make ethical decisions in patient care, maintain confidentiality, advocate for patients, and provide respectful, nondiscriminatory care that protects patient autonomy, dignity, and rights.
Collaborate and communicate with patients, significant others, and health care providers; consult providers and make referrals as needed to support continuity of care.
Use relevant research findings in practice and participate in research activities as appropriate to the role and practice environment.
Consider safety, effectiveness, and cost when planning and delivering care; delegate based on patient needs and the provider's knowledge and skill; and help patients access appropriate services.
Demonstrate leadership by prioritizing and delegating care activities as appropriate, adapting to changes in the health care environment, and accepting Charge Nurse assignments after licensure.
Perform other duties and responsibilities related to the job classification and department as assigned.