Registered Nurse (RN)

Nursing Care Responsibilities

Provides nursing care in accordance with standards established by nursing services and administrative policies.

Assumes responsibility for the direction of other team members by providing assistance, observing and monitoring the activities of those supervised and evaluating the effectiveness of their acts.

Evaluates residents' needs for restorative nursing and refers to therapy when appropriate.

Develops a nursing plan of care for a resident which includes goals and priorities derived from the nursing diagnosis.

Implements the plan of care by directly administering care or by directing and supervising nursing acts delegated to RN's, LPNs, or Nursing Assistants.

Evaluates residents' progress toward goal achievement.

Maintains accurate and complete records of nursing care and reports significant observations to Director of Nursing.

Maintains lines of communication to provide continuity of care between shifts of duty.

Notifies physician/family of pertinent changes in resident's condition.

Administers medications after appropriate orientation and instruction. Maintains accurate medication records and observes residents for signs and symptoms of adverse drug reactions.

Administers special treatments and procedures, dressing changes, irrigations, and other procedures requiring special techniques.

Reviews physician's orders, medications, and charts to ensure prompt and accurate execution.

Follows the nursing Standards of Care.

Follows Standard Precautions. Demonstrates proper hand washing techniques. Knows and understands policy of blood-borne pathogens and procedure for clean-up of blood spills.

Attends resident Care Planning conferences as directed by D.O.N.

Attends staff meetings and in-service programs.

Maintains a clean, safe, and organized unit.

Provides assistance to relatives and visitors as necessary.

Completes reports and assessments (skin, decubiti, monthly and weekly summaries) as instructed.

Answers call lights as required, keeping in mind that employees must respond to all calls regardless of who has immediate responsibility for the resident.