Registered Nurse-Observation Full Time Weekend Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Lake Forest, IL

3d • $37 - $59

About The Position

The Registered Nurse-Observation embodies the attributes of the Relationship Based Care model and performs the core functions of the Professional Practice Model. Under department leadership, the nurse reflects Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values; adheres to the State of Illinois Nurse Practice Act, the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program; and complies with applicable policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards.

The nurse provides comprehensive, evidence-based care to assigned patients, coordinates care with patients, families, and the healthcare team, and documents assessments, goals, interventions, outcomes, education, and discharge plans. The role supports patients’ cultural, spiritual, and learning needs, promotes a safe healing environment, and contributes to quality initiatives and professional development. The nurse also directs patient care or support technicians, collaborates across hospital services, and may coordinate unit care when assigned to a charge nurse or preceptor role.

Requirements

• Registered Nursing license issued by the State of Illinois.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association.

Nice To Haves

• National certification in the area of specialty.

Responsibilities

• Perform and document comprehensive assessments for assigned patients.
• Communicate changes in patients’ conditions promptly.
• Use assessment data and appropriate nursing diagnoses to set measurable patient goals, document them in the plan of care, and revise the plan as needed.
• Identify and prioritize patient needs and nursing diagnoses and document them.
• Collaborate with patients, families, and healthcare team members in planning and documenting care.
• Assess discharge-planning needs, make appropriate referrals including palliative care referrals, and provide completed discharge instructions and medication reconciliation.
• Explain the patient portal and other pertinent resources to patients and families.
• Assess patient and family teaching needs, learning level, and readiness; document education; use teach-back and Krames materials for patient education.
• Use Culture Vision as a resource in care planning and delivery, and respect patients’ dignity, diversity, and significant others’ contributions to care.
• Adhere to ethical standards and request an ethics consultation when appropriate.
• Implement evidence-based nursing interventions and use reliable evidence resources to advance nursing practice.
• Participate in a clinical LADDER project or unit- or organization-level process improvement.
• Administer medications safely using bar coding and use Alaris pump guardrails.
• Protect patient health, safety, and rights; provide complete, timely, and accurate bedside shift reports and handoffs; and round hourly in collaboration with patient care technicians.
• Promote a safe environment and contribute to quality metrics and prevention of pressure ulcers, falls, CAUTI, and central line infections as applicable.
• Participate in unit safety and quality initiatives and unit huddles.
• Oversee and direct patient care or support technicians while remaining accountable for assigned patients’ care.
• Lead and direct others effectively, address conflict appropriately, and demonstrate charge nurse or preceptor proficiency when assigned.
• Lead clinical response when a patient’s condition changes and confer with the primary care physician about treatment or transfer to an appropriate level of care.
• Serve as a resource and role model for new staff, students, and other system personnel; assist with precepting, orientation, and mentoring as requested.
• Participate in peer evaluation and clinical case peer review, collaborate with hospital services, and communicate barriers to effective practice to nursing leadership and the practice operations council.
• Ensure an appropriate level-of-care order is documented in the EMR for admissions and adhere to supply charging requirements.
• Participate in value-based initiatives and demonstrate commitment to decreasing overtime utilization.
• Complete electronic and paper documentation; use physiologic monitoring and the bed management system; identify potential new technologies; and participate in CEOC activities as requested.
• Attend internal professional development offerings, obtain specialty certification, maintain professional practice competencies and required learning, and adhere to dress code requirements.
• Participate in a professional organization through membership, leadership, or committee work, and take assigned lunch breaks.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits, including tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness.
• 401(k) matching.
• Additional employee benefits intended to support physical, emotional, and financial well-being and provide protection for unexpected life events; eligibility depends on employment classification.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level