Student Nurse Intern

Kaweah Health•Visalia, CA

About The Position

The Student Nurse Intern (SNI) works under the direction and direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN), providing basic bedside care and selected nursing procedures. The role supports the protection and promotion of health, prevention of illness and injury, and alleviation of suffering through nursing care. In partnership with the RN, the SNI contributes to the plan of care, communicates with patients, families, and healthcare providers, and supports holistic care and patient advocacy. SNI practice is guided by the ANA Code of Ethics. Certain functions may be performed only while school is in session and only after skills have been validated by the school of nursing in conjunction with the Kaweah Health RN preceptor. A validated Skills Checklist must be available while working. Some duties require an RN to be present even when the SNI has validated the relevant skill, including medication administration, initiation or adjustment of intravenous therapy, intravenous medication administration, and taking physician orders. After completing Kaweah Health position- and unit-specific competencies, the SNI may perform designated support duties continuously, including non-instructional days. These duties include assisting patients with daily needs and activities, collecting and documenting delegated measurements and specimens, maintaining a safe and clean patient environment, and promptly reporting patient changes or concerns to licensed staff. The SNI must maintain required certifications and comply with applicable policies, procedures, safety, infection-control, confidentiality, and professional appearance requirements.

Requirements

BLS certification is required.
For ASN students: enrollment in an accredited RN program and completion of the third semester.
For BSN students: enrollment in an accredited RN program and completion of the fourth semester.
Submit an updated transcript to HR each term and notify the manager and HR of changes in nursing program enrollment.
Participation in an approved Work Study Program affiliated with the school of nursing, or current Kaweah Health employment while enrolled in a Kaweah Health/Unitek nursing program eligible for the practice and academic partnership (not for academic credit), is required.
Have a validated Skills Checklist available while working as an SNI and perform skills only after validation by the school of nursing in conjunction with the Kaweah Health RN preceptor.
Maintain a well-groomed, professional appearance in accordance with HR.107, Professional Appearance Guidelines.
Wear a watch with timing capabilities, such as a seconds hand or stopwatch, as a required uniform component.
Effectively communicate with and care for patients and families, as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.

Nice To Haves

Current California Certified Nursing Assistant certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborate and communicate with patients or residents, families, and other healthcare providers.
Work with the RN to formulate the plan of care and involve patients or residents in decisions about their care and service delivery.
Maintain a validated Skills Checklist and perform validated skills under the supervision of a Kaweah Health RN preceptor.
Provide basic bedside care and perform selected nursing procedures as delegated by the RN.
Report changes or variances in a patient's condition, patient or family needs and concerns, and changes in activity to licensed staff.
Refer complaints and problems to licensed staff or the department manager immediately.
Answer assigned patient call lights within two minutes; greet patients and family members professionally and identify oneself by name and job category.
Assist patients with assigned needs, including toileting, meals, snacks, water pitchers, bathing, ambulation, and oral care.
Report variations in the amount, color, consistency, or odor of patient output to the RN.
Assist with patient admission, transfer, and discharge, and orient patients to their room and its features.
Collect and record intake and output, weight, height, and vital signs as delegated by the RN; collect respiratory rate by direct observation.
Document care in the EMR as soon as possible after it is provided.
Collect, label, and deliver specimens.
Provide post-mortem care and assist with transporting the body to the morgue.
Assist with emergency care, including crash cart checks, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and responding to Code Blue.
Handle patients' personal property carefully and maintain a clean, safe, and neat patient environment.
Maintain confidentiality, follow current policies and procedures including safety and infection-control requirements, perform tasks safely, and keep required certifications current.
Provide care appropriate to the population served, considering cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, developmental, and age-specific needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.