Registered Nurse

SUMMARY

Behavioral Health

Under the general supervision of the Nurse Manager (or designee), and within hospital and departmental policies and procedures, the professional registered nurse acts as a patient advocate in the application of the nursing process. All essential functions performed in this position reflect the age specific needs of the patients.

Responsibilities

Recognizes and reports deviations from patient or established norms. Identifies deviations from established norms not related to chief patient’s complaints. Reports patient’s responses to treatment(s), and documents nursing interventions. Provides basic comfort and support according to patient needs. Fosters patient(s) and family participation in achieving optimum level of patient’s functioning and performing activities of daily living. Sets priorities in individual patient’s assignments. Seeks guidance and resources, when necessary, in management of patient care.

• Identifies and assesses emergency situations.
• Initiates appropriate response and intervention.
• Plans for potential needs during emergencies.
• Defines nursing diagnosis and expected patient’s outcomes.
• May modify nursing plan of care based on diagnosis and/or outcomes.
• Documents on appropriate nursing assessment forms.
• Implements nursing interventions and evaluates based on the patient’s outcomes.
• Modifies plan or care, accordingly, including documentation.
• The Registered Nurse maintains knowledge of contemporary, professional nursing practice within the legal framework of the Rhode Island Nurse Practice Act.
• Attend training and retraining, as needed, to maintain current knowledge of hospital and patient care practices and procedures.

• Utilizes established protocols and collaborates with the health team to facilitate therapeutic interventions and attainment of desired patient outcomes.
• Participates in quality improvement processes and risk management activities.
• Attend unit-based or hospital meetings to facilitate patient care management.
• Functions in a cooperative and productive manner in the work environment.
• Integrates complete physical assessment with nursing assessment, and records reviews in developing a comprehensive and individualized plan of care.
• Follows all documentation guidelines per policy and procedure.
• Maintains quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control in accordance with established hospital department policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Maintains a safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Demonstrates self-direction in maintaining and advancing clinical and professional competency.

• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span with consideration of aging processes, human development stages, and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.
• Provides functional guidance and direction to LPNs, CNAs, and other licensed personnel, as required.
• May assume shift charge responsibility on an assigned unit.
• Responsibility includes maintaining an overview of unit activities and delegating work responsibilities with equitable assignments.
• Makes bed and patient assignments and assigns primary patients to staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Licensure as Registered Nurse in the State of Rhode Island by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing or licensure as a Registered Nurse in accordance with the Nurse Licensure Compact agreement of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Basic knowledge

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, associate’s degree in nursing required, Baccalaureate in nursing preferred. Current BLS Certification (American Heart Association)Conformity to the Code of Professional Nurses. Understanding of the provisions of the Nurse Practice Act of the state of Rhode Island. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and sensitivity to cultural diversity in each step of the care process.

Experience

Registered nurses should develop general proficiency as a staff nurse within three months of employment. For specialty unit, general nursing experience appropriate to the specialty, is preferred.

Work environment and physical requirements

Prolonged standing and walkingExposure to all patient elementsRepeated bending, squatting, lifting, and stooping

Supervisory responsibility

None.

Pay Range

$35.70-$71.40

EEO Statement

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Location

Newport Hospital - 11 Friendship Street Newport, Rhode Island 02840

Work Type: Every other weekend, every other holiday

Work Shift

Day

Daily Hours: 12 hours

Driving Required

No