Registered Nurse-Observation Full Time Weekend Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Lake Forest, IL

2d • $37 - $61

About The Position

The Registered Nurse-Observation Weekend role 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; follows 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 and coordinates patient care through comprehensive assessment, care planning, patient and family education, evidence-based interventions, safe clinical practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, discharge planning, and thorough documentation. The role also includes directing and supporting patient care or support technicians, coordinating unit care when assigned, mentoring and precepting colleagues, contributing to quality and safety initiatives, and maintaining professional development and specialty certification.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• National certification in the area of specialty.

Responsibilities

• Complete and document comprehensive assessments of assigned patients.
• Promptly communicate changes in patient condition.
• Use assessment findings and appropriate nursing diagnoses to establish measurable patient goals, document them in the plan of care, and revise the plan as needed.
• Identify, prioritize, and document patient needs and nursing diagnoses.
• Collaborate with patients, families, and healthcare team members to plan and document care.
• Assess discharge-planning needs and make appropriate referrals, including palliative care when indicated.
• Evaluate and document patient responses to nursing interventions and adjust care plans as necessary.
• Ensure discharge instructions and medication reconciliation are complete, and explain the patient portal and other relevant resources to patients and families.
• Assess patient and family teaching needs, learning level, and readiness; document education; use teach-back for medication and new-medication education; and use and distribute Krames patient education materials.
• Use Culture Vision in care planning and delivery; respect patients, families, and staff; value significant others’ contributions; follow ethical standards; and request an ethics consult when appropriate.
• Implement nursing interventions consistent with the plan of care and available evidence, using resources such as Ovid/Joanna Briggs, UpToDate, and Culture Vision.
• Participate in a clinical LADDER project or unit- or organization-level process improvement.
• Administer medications safely using bar coding; protect patient health, safety, and rights; provide complete and accurate bedside handoffs; and round hourly with patient care technicians.
• Maintain a safe environment and contribute to unit and organizational quality measures, including prevention of pressure ulcers, falls, CAUTI, and central line infections as applicable.
• Serve as a unit safety facilitator or quality-initiative resource when requested and participate in unit huddles.
• Oversee and direct patient care or support technicians while maintaining accountability for assigned patients.
• Lead and direct others effectively, address conflict appropriately, and demonstrate charge nurse or preceptor proficiency when assigned.
• Coordinate unit patient care when assigned, take the clinical lead when a patient’s condition changes, and consult 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.
• Provide regular peer feedback and participate in clinical case peer review.
• Collaborate with hospital services to complete daily work and maintain an excellent care environment; identify clinical practice barriers and communicate them to nursing leadership and the practice operations council.
• Ensure an appropriate level-of-care order is documented in the EMR for admissions and follow supply-charging requirements.
• Participate in value-based initiatives and personally work to decrease overtime utilization.
• Complete electronic and paper documentation, use Alaris pump guardrails, understand physiologic monitoring and its implications for clinical management, and use the bed management system.
• Identify potential new technologies and participate in CEOC activities to advance and optimize the medical record when requested.
• Attend internal professional development offerings, obtain certification in the nursing specialty, maintain professional practice competencies and ELM learning, follow the dress code, participate in professional organizations, and take assigned lunch breaks.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan forgiveness
• 401(k) matching
• Benefits intended to support physical, emotional, and financial well-being and provide protection for unexpected life events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time