Registered Nurse (RN) - Surgical Trauma ICU - Rotating

VCU Health • Richmond, VA

2d • $34 - $55 • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse works in the Surgical Trauma ICU (STICU), a state-of-the-art 28-bed unit on the 9th floor of the Critical Care Hospital at VCU Medical Center. VCU Medical Center is the region’s only comprehensive Level I adult, pediatric, and burn trauma center. The STICU provides comprehensive, innovative care to a diverse population of severely injured and critically ill surgical patients. Care includes continuous renal replacement therapy, advanced modes of ventilation, massive transfusion protocol, extensive wound care, and post-surgical resuscitation and care. The unit includes trauma ICU, a closed service staffed by trauma/critical care surgeons and intensivists, and surgical ICU, co-managed by intensivists and attending physicians. The multidisciplinary care team includes nursing and medical professionals and other specialists. The STICU received the Beacon Award for critical care excellence in 2008.

The role may be classified as Clinical Nurse I, II, or III. Clinical Nurse I integrates technical skills and theoretical knowledge to meet patient and family needs, delivers and documents age-specific care in coordination with the multidisciplinary plan, safely administers prescribed medications, and begins acquiring unit-level leadership skills. Clinical Nurse II demonstrates mastery of clinical skills, recognizes and responds to changes in patient situations, mobilizes resources for patient and family needs, and assumes unit-level leadership responsibilities. Clinical Nurse III demonstrates clinical knowledge, anticipates and responds to changes in patient situations, and serves as a clinical role model. Each level contributes to illness and injury prevention, wellness, and patient comfort.

Nurses follow physician or licensed independent provider orders, nursing regulations in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the ANA Code of Ethics, national nursing practice standards, and VCU Health System policies and procedures. They organize work and may delegate and supervise assignments carried out by RNs, LPNs, care partners, unit secretaries, and others. Clinicians work all three shifts, weekends, and holidays; individual rotations and schedules are established with the Nurse Manager or Practice Manager and may be adjusted to meet unit requirements. Candidates are sought with at least one year of RN experience in an ICU setting.

Requirements

• Current RN licensure in Virginia, or eligibility for licensure, or licensure in a compact state.
• For continued employment, current RN licensure in Virginia and AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent.
• Clinical Nurse I: No prior experience required by the stated experience criteria.
• Clinical Nurse II: 12 to 24 months of RN experience.
• Clinical Nurse III: 3 years of clinical experience.
• Diploma or associate degree from a professional nursing program recognized or approved by the corresponding state Board of Nursing.
• Registered nurses without a bachelor's degree in nursing or higher must enroll in an approved RN-to-BSN program within two years of their start date and complete it within five years, unless grandfathered under previous requirements.
• Ability to work all three shifts, weekends, and holidays, with shift rotation and hours subject to unit needs.
• Physical requirements include lifting 20–50 lbs; prolonged standing and sitting; frequent bending; walking; climbing; and reaching.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous and infectious substances.
• Strong recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, clear speech, legible writing, reading, and logical thinking.
• Ability to work in fast- and steady-paced, noisy environments, handle multiple priorities, and manage frequent and intense customer interactions.

Nice To Haves

• Clinical Nurse I: Experience as an LPN, nursing assistant, or care partner in acute care or an applicable practice area.
• Clinical Nurse II and III: Academic health care experience and experience with a similar patient population in acute care or an applicable practice area.
• Completion of a bachelor's degree in nursing or higher from an accredited program.
• Clinical Nurse III: Certification in a specialty area.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and accurately document direct, age-specific care according to medical orders and an integrated multidisciplinary plan of care.
• Safely administer prescribed medications and identify incompatibilities or interactions.
• Assist the health care team with prevention of illness and injury, maintenance of wellness, and provision of comfort.
• Recognize or anticipate changes in patient situations and intervene appropriately, depending on clinical level.
• Mobilize resources to meet individualized patient and family needs.
• Provide direction and education and take on unit-level leadership responsibilities appropriate to the clinical level.
• Follow physician or licensed independent provider orders, applicable nursing regulations, professional standards, and VCU Health System policies and procedures.
• Organize work and delegate and supervise assignments carried out by other staff.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree