PACU

Registered Nurse

The RN implements professional nursing practice centered on the patient as a whole person and the creation of a caring environment focused on healing and wellness. Nursing practices are based on evidence and current research as well as hospital policies, regulatory standards, and professional guidelines. Clinical decision-making incorporates all four phases of the nursing process, critical thinking, and creativity. Nursing excellence is promoted through helping relationships among nursing staff and across other disciplines. The RN coordinates, ensures, and provides direct patient care activities through the provision of nursing rounds, assessments, and treatments. Facilitates admission, transfer, and discharge activities. Provides patient and family-centered education and care coordination and individualized treatment planning as applicable.

Responsibilities include: performing and documenting a comprehensive assessment in accordance with RN scope of practice and hospital policies/procedures; considering the patient's culture, age, and developmental level; identifying patient risk factors and presenting complaints; obtaining patient health information from family or others as necessary; collecting objective and subjective data; verifying the initial admission assessment; developing a problem list and prioritizing patient needs based on input from the inter-professional team; designing actions and interventions relevant to the patient's culture and age; determining desired outcomes in coordination with the patient and family in accordance with the medical plan of care; explaining procedures, treatments, and processes to the patient and family; initiating action to alleviate the patient's stress and discomfort; recognizing, responding to, and communicating changes in patient condition appropriately; conducting and documenting ongoing assessments and responses to procedures and therapies; delegating tasks appropriately and overseeing team members in the performance of patient care activities; monitoring accuracy and completeness of delegated patient care provided by other team members; identifying and addressing educational needs of patients; facilitating the patient discharge process; providing input into patient/nurse assignments; demonstrating active participation in unit-based activities; promoting a positive group dynamic and healing environment through words and actions; assuring nursing excellence in accordance with accepted standards and evidence-based practice; actively participating in department and unit quality improvement activities such as patient satisfaction and auditing of documentation; using a holistic perspective regarding patient care.