Nursing Extern Transition To Practice Program- Part Time

Nurse Extern

The primary purpose of the Student Extern position is to allow the nursing student to perform skilled clinical duties, as specified, under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN) as defined by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. This role allows the student nurse to bridge the gap between the classroom and clinical practice, setting them up for a successful and confident transition into the healthcare profession as a Registered Nurse.

Key Responsibilities

Nursing Process

• Assessment: Performs routine aspects of patient treatment, care and progress (i.e. basic data collection, physical assessment, vital signs, weights, intake & outputs, blood glucose monitoring).
• Collects body fluids for specimens.
• Diagnosis/Care Needs: The student extern analyzes assessment data with preceptor and/or supervising RN to identify care needs and verbalizes needed care to the preceptor and/or supervising RN.
• Implementation: Nursing care is based on identified nursing diagnoses/care needs and standards of patient care. The student extern implements patient education and involves the patient and family and/or significant other as appropriate.
• Evaluation: Recognizes and reports to the RN any alterations in the patient's health status and responses to treatment.
• Documentation: Documents patient care in a clear concise manner. In collaboration with RN:
• Completes nursing admission and assessment form.
• Initiates the Nursing Care Plan with identified patient problems (utilizing nursing diagnosis), expected outcomes and nursing intervention.
• Documents treatments and nursing intervention on appropriate chart forms.
• Completes discharge instruction sheet as appropriate.

Quality of Care

• Regularly performs appropriate utilization of equipment, tubes and drains as designated in department specific orientation.
• Promotes restorative and/or therapeutic care by providing assistance with activities of daily living (i.e. hygiene, feeding, mobility, elimination, and simple physical/respiratory/occupational/speech therapy).
• Maintains clean and safe work environment
• Applies standard precautions during patient contact and when handling contaminated materials.
• Follows restraint policy and procedure.
• Adheres to Arizona State Board of Nursing and KRMC guidelines, and does not:
• Administer any type of medication by any route.
• Initiate any type of IV therapy.
• Accept verbal orders or telephone for orders from physicians.
• Obtain and/or witness consents.
• Apply restraints.
• Administer blood products.

Education

• Corroborates with RN in setting weekly goals and takes action to achieve the identified goals.
• Completes the administrative paperwork as determined by Director of Education.
• Attends educational offerings and monthly departmental meetings when possible.

Age-Appropriate Care

• Provides appropriate age-specific safety measures.

Level I: First Semester Nursing (RN) students Enrolled and in good standing in the 1st semester of RN school. Vital sign monitoring. POC testing. Hourly rounding. Patient ADLS (activities of daily living), mobility assistance. Documenting care in EHR and reporting findings to RN. Performs specific nursing skills under RN supervision and as validated by the hospital. Active participation in professional development workshops as provided by program. Employee duties as assigned and per training in ancillary support areas and nursing units.

Level II: Second Semester Nursing (RN) Students Completed 1st semester in RN school. Maintain active enrollment and good standing in 2nd semester of RN school. Continued active participation in professional development workshops as provided by program. All duties of Level I and other duties as assigned by nursing/clinical area.

Level III: Third Semester Nursing (RN) students Performs all duties of a Level II but may be paired with a registered nurse to provide full patient care and assessment under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. With assigned RN, manage a full patient load and assist with RN-specific tasks. Active participation in professional development workshops and career planning activities as directed by program. Maintain active enrollment and good standing in 3rd semester of RN school.

Level IV: Fourth Semester Nursing (RN) Students/LPN With assigned RN, manage a full patient load and assist with RN-specific tasks. Perform RN-level tasks under supervision of RN and as validated through school and hospital. Direct clinical care provided based on level in school or licensure (NT IV or LPN). Active participation in professional development workshops and career planning activities as directed by program. Maintain active enrollment and good standing in 4th semester of RN school. Active participation in transition to practice activities to prepare for transition to RN position.

Grad Nurse and RN Resident With assigned RN, manage a full patient load and assist with RN specific tasks. Perform RN level tasks under supervision of RN and as validated through school and hospital.

Qualifications

Education:

• High School Diploma

Experience: LPN only: One year of acute care experience in the hospital setting in a direct patient care role, if third semester of RN program is not complete. Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.

Nurse Tech/Extern: Level I: Must provide proof of enrollment in 1st semester of an accredited nursing school (RN) program. Maintains nursing school skills checklist on file with hospital.

Level II: Provide proof of completion of 1st semester of nursing school program. Must maintain good standing and enrollment in nursing program and progression through the program. Maintains nursing school skills checklist on file with hospital.

Level III: Completion of 2nd semester of RN school. In good standing as a 3rd semester RN student. Maintain nursing school skills checklist on file with hospital.

Level IV: Completion of 3rd semester of RN school. In good standing as a 4th (or Senior depending on program) semester RN student. Maintain nursing school skills checklist on file with hospital.

LPN: Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program OR completed the portion of the RN program required for LPN licensure. Currently enrolled in an accredited RN program and maintaining good standing. Must successfully complete Nursing III & Nursing IV of RN school within 1 year of hire and provide proof of completion.

Grad Nurse: Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program OR completed the portion of the RN program required for LPN licensure. Must have an Associate Degree in Nursing or graduate of a Nursing Diploma program. Graduation must have occurred no more than 6 months prior to start of the Resident program.

Grad Nurse and RN Resident: Must have an Associate Degree in Nursing or graduate of a Nursing Diploma program. Graduation must have occurred no more than 6 months prior to start of the Resident program. Exception: for individuals without acute care experience, graduation must have occurred no more than 12 months prior to the start of the Resident program. OR completion of a refresher program no more than 6 months prior to the start of the Resident program.

Certification: Current BLS (CPR) certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

LPN only: Completion of Advanced IV therapy program within 90 days of hire or transfer to LPN role, in accordance with state scope of practice, regulatory requirements, if not already certified.

Licensure: LPN: Current, valid Arizona LPN license

Grad Nurse with LPN License: Current, valid Arizona LPN license. Current, valid Arizona or compact state RN license prior to the end of the Resident Program.

RN Resident: Current, valid Arizona RN license or compact state RN license prior to the end of the Resident Program.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Basic EKG competency prior to the end of RN Transition to Practice.

Preferences

LPN: Unit Specific Preferences: Medical Surgical/Observation Units: One year Medical/Surgical experience or equivalent work experience and training in a direct patient care role OR active LPN licenses in good standing AND actively enrolled in accredited RN program in good standing AND employed in the Hospital nurse development program.

RN: License: Current, valid Arizona RN license.

Special Position Requirements

Exposure Categories: Category I: Expected duties have routine potential for exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues. Other potential hazard(s): potential exposure to chemical, biological, and radioactive substances; possible exposure to hostile individuals. Work Requirements Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills. Consistently demonstrations behaviors and