Northern Light Mercy Hospital

Department: Float Pool

Position is located: Mercy Fore River

Work Type: Full Time

Hours Per Week: 36.00

Work Schedule: No Hours Assigned

Summary:

The Graduate Nurse – Prelicensure is a fully competent practitioner of nursing. The incumbent is responsible for the practice of nursing according to the Rules and Regulations defined in the State of Maine Nurse Practice Act, Mercy Hospital Standards of Care/Practice, policies and procedures. The incumbent is responsible for the delivery of patient care to assigned patient on a nursing unit. The nurse, within a primary nursing model, plans, implements, and evaluates the nursing care for patients and families. The nurse addresses physical, spiritual, emotional and educational needs of the patient, and coordinates the plan of care with other healthcare professionals.

Responsibilities:

1. Patient Assessment: With RN oversight, the new grad nurse will initiate a systematic, accurate and ongoing assessment of biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, safety, educational, and discharge planning needs of the patient, family, and/or significant other. • Incorporates patient/family history, diagnostic and physical data into the nursing admission assessment. • Documents evidence of both objective and subjective information, family dynamics, environmental factors and information form the multidisciplinary health care team. • Performs reassessments as outlined in the Documentation Standard and as changes in the patient condition warrants. 2. Patient Care Planning: With RN oversight, the new grad nurse will develop a plan of care based on identified patient care needs. • Involves the patient, family, and/or significant other in the planning process. • Interprets assessment data to determine actual/potential biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, safety, educational, and discharge planning problems. • Identifies major patient problems in the FOCUS OF CARE (plan of care). • Formulates individualized Key Patient Outcomes based on identified need. • Utilizes Nursing Standards (as appropriate) in the development of Key Patient Outcomes. • Develops a detailed plan of care in the absence of established Nursing Standards. • Involves other members of the health care team in formulating the plan of care and coordinates the care of the patient. • Updates/resolves the plan of care on a regular basis. 3. Patient Care Implementation: With RN oversight, the new grad nurse will initiate actions directed toward achieving expected outcomes. • Identifies potential/actual emergency situations and initiates actions accordingly. • Sets priorities for patient care that adapt to changes in patient condition. • Implements interventions as guided by nursing standards (as appropriate) and based on the plan of care. • Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment utilizing principles of infection control, patient safety, and safe operation of equipment. • Notifies other health professionals of changes in the patient’s condition. • Initiates discharge planning referrals as appropriate. • Conducts patient and family teaching based upon identified needs. • Documents patient responses to interventions. 4. Outcome Evaluation: With RN oversight, the new grad nurse will in conjunction with other members of the health care team, evaluate and modify the plan of care based on achievement of patient outcomes. • Collaborates with other members of the health care team to modify the plan of care as needed. • Evaluates the achievement of patient outcomes on an ongoing basis and revises the plan as needed. • Identifies and communicates potential quality concerns to nurse manager. • Documents patient’s progress toward achievement of expected outcomes. 5. Professional Practice/Leadership: The nurse will demonstrate responsibility for identifying own learning needs, participation in the development of others, promoting professional communications, and demonstrating leadership qualities. • Meets yearly requirements for continuing education (6 contact hours). • Attends and participates in a minimum of six staff meetings per year. • Identifies own learning needs and demonstrates progress toward goal achievement. • Participates in the development of others through the role of preceptor and through peer review. • Organizes workload by setting priorities, recognizing needs of own assignment and the needs of the unit. • Completes assignments in a timely manner. • Contributes to the smooth operation of the unit by functioning as a team member, assisting colleagues, serving on committees and participating in daily unit activities. • Delegates care and formulates patient assignments based on the degree of direction needed, the complexity and dynamics of the patient’s condition, complexity of the caseload, the type of technology needed, and the skill level of the personnel involved. • Actively participates in the problem solving process. 6. Performs additional duties as required or assigned.

Other Information:

Competencies and Skills

• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.

• Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.

• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.

• Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Education

• Required Bachelor's Degree

Working Conditions

• Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.

• Lifting, moving and loading less than 20 pounds.

• Prolonged periods of sitting.

Position Nursing School New GraduateLocation Req ID null