General Summary

Under direct supervision of a registered nurse, the nurse graduate participates in the nursing process by delivering care to patients and their families. Duties and responsibilities include direct care activities required in daily nursing practice on the assigned unit.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Nurse Graduates perform various routine nursing support functions as listed below. These functions may vary depending upon the unit to which the Nurse Graduate is assigned.

1. After successful completion of an organized staff development program which includes an evaluation that the nurse graduate is competent, through skills validation, the nurse graduate may perform and document routine procedures taught within the nurse graduate's generic nursing program, including but not limited to:

A. Documenting in the medical record using the initials "NG" after the nurse graduate's name as credentials

B. Assisting the Registered Nurse assigned to the patient with the assessment of the patient by monitoring parameters outlined by the Registered Nurse in accordance with the Nursing Standards of Practice.

C. Identifying, recording, and reporting overt findings to the Registered Nurse concerning the physical and mental condition of a patient in accordance with the Nursing Documentation policy.

D. Assisting the Registered Nurse assigned to the patient with the implementation of nursing care by performing nursing care activities as delegated and supervised by the Registered Nurse such as:

a) Performing patient assessments after the initial assessment or after the first assessment of the shift has been performed by the registered nurse

b) Assisting with indwelling and intermittent urinary bladder catheterizations by performing catheter insertion, catheter care and removal.

c) Providing direct patient care, such as personal hygiene care, positioning, ambulating, transporting, nutritional intake/ feeding, obtaining specimens and performing blood sugar checks.

d) Performing routine patient care and administrative procedures on the unit such as dressing changes, calculating body intake and output measures and shift totals.

e) Assisting with patient admission and/or discharge by setting up special equipment and recording vital signs.

f) Assisting with intravenous therapy by gathering equipment for starting IV fluids, preparing the patient as directed by the Registered Nurse and monitoring IV rate.

2. Assists the Registered Nurse in patient status evaluation by reporting patient information such as vital signs or response to nursing actions such as pain management interventions.

A. Verbally reports to the nurse significant changes in patient's physical and cognitive condition.

B. Documents patient information such as vital signs, intake and output on appropriate forms promptly, clearly and completely as stipulated in the Nursing Documentation policy.

3. The nurse graduate may administer medications under the DIRECT supervision of an RN. The nurse graduate may NOT administer medications independently.

4. Performs CPR as needed.

5. Follows institutional infection control guidelines.

6. Follows/implements established institutional/unit policies and procedures to ensure patient safety.

7. Communicates effectively with patients, families, visitors and other members of the health care team, demonstrating positive guest relations skills and treating patient information confidentially.

8. Performs general support services for the unit and patient which may include running unit errands, procuring equipment, and taking and relaying messages accurately and timely.

Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.

2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.

3. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

Working Conditions

1. Weekends, holidays, shift work, and overtime may be required.

2. Work requires independent lifting up to 50 pounds and lifting (with assistance) to position and/or assist patients onto carts or into wheelchairs or beds and, generally, with ambulation. Work requires standing and/or walking for up to 100% of scheduled work time. Work requires independent pushing and/or pulling of wheelchairs, beds and related patient care equipment up to 100% of the scheduled work time.

3. There is potential for regular exposure to patients possessing infectious diseases requiring observance of universal precautions requiring wearing protective clothing, gloves, and mask as appropriate and observance of safe work practices. Potential for exposure to hazardous medications.