Nurse Co-op

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Contributes to the nursing process by performing patient care and non-patient care activities as delegated by the registered nurse (RN). Able to perform aspects of nursing practices in which they have completed the theory component in the academic setting and have competencies validated by the RN before performing them independently. The nurse intern works under the direction of the RN and must be co-assigned to a registered nurse at all times.

Part time, un-benefited position working 39 hours per pay period. Days of work are Sunday-Saturday. Scheduled shifts are day/night rotation with occasional evening shifts. Scheduled weekend rotation will be 12 hour shifts every third weekend. Holiday work is every third holiday per year. Hours of work are 7:00am - 7:30pm, 7:00pm - 7:30am, and occasional 7:00am - 3:30pm, 11:00pm - 7:30am, and 3:00pm - 11:30pm.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides personal hygiene measures for patients of all ages that may include bed bath, oral hygiene, combing hair, back care, and dressing patient. Performance of nursing tasks shall consider the age and development of the patient.
• Collects patient data and documents information in medical record.
• Implements assigned aspects of the patient plan of care observing patient for expected outcomes. Performance of nursing functions shall consider the age and development of the patient.
• Assist patients with transportation and mobility needs.
• Follow University/College Department of Nursing skills list.
• Collects subjective and objective data to assist RN in formulating an individualized plan of care for the patient and family.
• Instructs patient and family in basic health areas as appropriate; i.e. personal hygiene, oral care, feeding methods, etc. Discharge instructions must be co-signed and reviewed by the registered nurse prior to giving to the patient.
• Prepares patients for meals, serves and removes food trays, and assists with meals or feeds patients.
• Distributes drinking water and other nourishments to patients.
• Assist patients with handling and care of clothing and other personal property (including dentures, glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and prosthetic devices) throughout their hospital stay.
• Provides a safe and secure environment for patients while adhering to infection control policies.
• Utilizes unit and hospital resources to improve and update skills and knowledge as appropriate for role.
• Establishes and maintains interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, and other hospital personnel, while assuring confidentiality of patient information.
• Collaborate with RN and participate in Patient Care Model of Nursing Excellence. (Hourly Rounding, Individualized Patient Care, Beside Report and Discharge Callbacks).
• Attends in-service education programs, as assigned, to learn new treatments, procedures, developmental skills, etc.

Performs technical skills after demonstration and validation:

• Assistance with catheter care to include insertion, irrigation and removal.
• Assistance with naso-gastric tube care including insertion, irrigation and removal.
• Monitoring of gastric feedings.
• Assistance with elimination needs, including enemas.
• Assistance with the collection of various specimens excluding specimens from central lines.
• Assistance with simple dressing changes including irrigations and packings.
• Performance of blood glucose monitoring following completion of competency checklist.
• Assistance with Intravenous therapy to include insertion and removal of peripherally placed catheters, and observation and inspection of intravenous sites and dressings.
• Documentation of all care to include pre-op checklists, patient history and medication reconcilation provided in an accurate and timely manner, according to organizational policies and procedures.
• Oral medication administration.

Performs complex skills under the direct supervision of the RN, including IV medication administration and IVP and IVPB.

The Nurse Intern may NOT:

• Obtain procedural consents.
• Perform an initial patient assessment, such as an admission and/or triage assessment.
• Administer Blood or Blood products.
• Administer Total Parenteral Nutrition.
• Accept verbal or telephone orders from a provider.
• Sign off provider orders.
• Manage IV medication drips, including ordered rate changes, rate titrations and hanging new bags.