Health Care Nurse

Registered Nurse Position

This position has the authority, responsibility, and shift accountability for the delivery of nursing care through the use of the nursing process. The incumbent accepts accountability, applies competent clinical knowledge skills, and uses independent nursing judgment for care provided by self and by health care providers to whom care is delegated to achieve quality patient care outcomes. The incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge and skills at the novice level necessary to provide care that is relevant to the patient(s) under their care, as well as apply principles of growth and development over the life span. The incumbent also must possess the ability to assess and interpret patient data needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs. This role provides professional nursing care for patients in an inpatient hospital setting.

Current Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Registered Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

Less than 12 months of experience as a registered nurse.

Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN).

Demonstrates safety and continuity of care using methods such as documentation, handoff tools/processes, etc.

Demonstrates ability to create plan of care using the nursing process: assessment, diagnoses, intervention, and evaluation of outcomes.

Incorporates patient individuality & mutuality data in delivery of care.

Utilizes Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in nursing care.

Participates in organizational patient-centered care model.

Documents problems and issues in the plan of care.

Demonstrates growth in ability to care for more complex patients utilizing consultation with experienced colleagues.

Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning through self-reflection and inquiry for learning and personal growth.

Retains accountability for delegated nursing care.

Participates in holistic, culturally sensitive data collection.

Assesses the impact of family dynamics on healthcare consumer health and wellness.

Integrates the American Nursing Association (ANA)'s code of ethics to guide nursing practice.

Identifies discriminatory health care practices in culturally diverse populations.

Individualizes care based on beliefs, barriers, and readiness to learn of patients.

For facilities with specialty accreditation requirements:

Training may be completed through CBLs, trainings, In-services, and competency validation.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends minimizing the need for employees to manually lift patients, and limit safe patient handling to 35 pounds. All transfers, lifts and re-positioning will be completed utilizing the lift equipment and/or other patient handling aids as indicated by the patient's profile and appropriate algorithms.

Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 40+lbs.

Visual acuity must be within normal range.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working around infectious diseases.

Working with hands in water.

Working with electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

Uses competent clinical practice and critical thinking skills to efficiently deliver patient care with all health care providers while maximizing efficient use of resources.

Ability to be flexible in response to changes in work volume, staff and scheduling changes.

The CAPE program is a system-wide clinical advancement program (clinical ladder) to enhance professional development, provide a reward system for quality clinical performance, promote quality nursing, and improve job satisfaction for inpatient direct care nurses.

To apply for the next level, the CAPE nurse must meet the requirements of their current level. They must also meet the required years of nursing experience, degree, and certification to apply for the next level. In addition, nurses who are approved for levels 3, 4, 5, or 6 must complete and submit five competencies on an annual basis to maintain their current level.

Level 1

All graduate nurses with less than 12 months of experience enter at Level one with a diploma, ADN, BSN, or higher

Level 2

Level 3

Required competencies to include demonstration of regularly being a charge nurse and/or precepting new staff or nursing students

Available to those with a BSN or higher or nurses with ADN/diploma with 5 years of experience

Required competencies to include demonstration of regularly being a charge nurse and/or precepting new staff or nursing students

Required competencies to include demonstration of participation in QI and/or shared governance at the unit level

Available to those with an MSN or higher with 4 years of experience, or nurses with a BSN with 4 years of experience and a health-related Master's Degree, or nurses with a BSN and 5 years of experience

Required competencies to include demonstration of regularly being a charge nurse and/or precepting new staff or nursing students

Consideration is given to other health-related advanced degrees that would assist with direct patient care at the bedside

Required competencies to include demonstration of regularly being a charge nurse and/or precepting new staff or nursing students

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