Registered Nurse (Med Surg)

Northwell Health

About The Position

The Registered Nurse provides age-specific care to a designated patient group through the nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The nurse collaborates with physicians and other health team members to coordinate and carry out procedures and treatments, and uses clinical judgment and leadership skills to coordinate patient care and direct or delegate the work of the patient care unit team. The role includes assessing patients’ physical and psychosocial status, identifying needs and desired outcomes, developing individualized plans of care, implementing prescribed treatments, administering medications, maintaining accurate documentation, and evaluating the effectiveness of care. The nurse supports patient and family education, discharge planning, referrals, patient safety, and continuous improvement in the unit. Related duties may also be required. A graduate of an accredited School of Nursing is required. A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is preferred. The nurse must be enrolled in an accredited BSN program within two years and obtain a BSN degree within five years of the job entry date. A current New York State license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse is required, along with specialized certifications as needed.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing.
Current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State.
Must be enrolled in an accredited BSN program within two years of job entry and obtain a BSN degree within five years of job entry.
Specialized certifications as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

Responsibilities

Conduct patient interviews, explain policies and procedures, review charts, and answer patient and significant-other questions.
Assess patients’ gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and neurological status; mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, skin condition, pain, psychosocial status, coping mechanisms, knowledge, comprehension, and cultural or ethnic needs.
Communicate and document patients’ physical and psychological status, assessments, and plans of care and support.
Identify patient problems, needs for teaching, desired outcomes, and criteria for measuring outcomes; develop individualized goals and prioritize care activities.
Coordinate cost-effective use of supplies, equipment, and medication to achieve expected outcomes.
Implement, reassess, and revise plans of care; maintain patient safety precautions and provide emotional support to patients and significant others.
Administer prescribed treatments and medications safely and correctly; use patient-care equipment; apply scientific principles and perform procedures safely, accurately, and efficiently.
Observe patients during treatments and procedures, report and record findings, and maintain accurate documentation according to departmental policy.
Respond rapidly and effectively to emergencies and help maintain a calm, quiet, restful atmosphere.
Communicate with patients’ families or caretakers and collaborate with physicians and other care team members in planning and carrying out treatment regimens.
Participate in discharge planning, coordinate appropriate referrals, and provide discharge instructions.
Measure and document the effectiveness of care, perform variance analysis using outcome data, and design, implement, and evaluate systems to improve unit care.
Interpret and implement physician-prescribed treatment regimens, assist physicians during treatments or diagnostic procedures, and inform the Patient Care Manager/designee and/or physician of relevant changes in patient condition or treatment.
Use clinical judgment to delegate care assignments and ensure they are completed in a timely manner; provide direction to other care team members.
Perform grade I–IV decubitus care, preventive skin care, simple dressings using aseptic technique, warm and cold compresses, irrigations, and other skin-care procedures as necessary.
Identify medications by action, dosage, side effects, and patient implications; meet the standard on the medication-administration examination; demonstrate preparation of local solutions; and document medication administration.
Educate patients and significant others about drug and food interactions, the patient’s condition as indicated, and other relevant care topics.
Recognize and use health-teaching opportunities and available resources; evaluate teaching effectiveness through patient or family feedback and document it.