RN Summer Internship

Under the direct supervision of the RN, the student nurse extern provides prescribed medical treatment and personal care services to patients in the hospital setting and designated outpatient departments by performing the following duties, supporting the nursing philosophy.  Partner with a RN to provide exposure to clinical experiences that will reinforce theory and prepare them for their roles as RN.  Responsibilities include assessment, nursing diagnosis related to focus problem areas, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care.  Performance of these responsibilities requires specialized knowledge, critical thinking, and skills based on principles of psychological, social, physical and biological sciences that utilize the nursing process.  May include weekends, holidays, day, evening, night, and/or on-call hours.  Other duties as assigned.

Leadership:

• Delegates nursing care activities and monitors care given by appropriate care team members in accordance with patient needs, and the team member’s professional capabilities and qualifications.
• Assists in creating a positive work environment by working with team members to develop and facilitate initiatives to strive for positive outcomes in quality and care of patients.
• Complies with all policies and procedures, and guides team members with compliance.
• Reliable attendance is an expectation of the team member role, as well as a leader in the unit.

Professional Growth:

• Assumes responsibility for continued growth in areas of competencies, lifelong learning, and involvement in unit and hospital quality of care projects.
• Supports use of Evidenced Based Practice and incorporates best practices into daily care routine.
• Participates in mandatory education and unit meetings per established guidelines.
• Compiles with all safety goals, infection prevention and risk management policies and procedures.
• Completes annual mandatory education

Communication:

• Communicates utilizing the FOCUS standards in all aspects of care and interactions with others.
• Handoff of care incorporates information that is included in the hospital approved format, including all critical data about patient treatment and care, and also plan and goal of care including teaching needs of the patient and family. Patient/Family Centered Care is encouraged with both patient and family being updated and informed about all care needs.
• Effectively communicates with all team members, physicians, ancillary staff, and all customers. Verbal communication is clear and concise, and written communication is legible and done using approved abbreviations.
• Provides patients/families with teaching throughout hospital stay for procedures and treatments while in the hospital, and to be prepared to care for home care needs. Referrals are done with appropriate disciplines to assure all patient/family needs are met.

Collaboration:

• Practice indicates compliance with HIPAA, DNV, OSHA, and all other regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible in meeting needs of the unit as a team member.
• Works effectively with multidisciplinary team assessing needs of the patient/family, establishing goals for the patient/family, and also assists in development of quality improvements that may cross over from department to department.

Delivery of Care:

• Delivers high quality care utilizing the nursing process, and demonstrates knowledge and clinical skills of the specialty required on assigned unit in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Assists with ambulation of patients, and uses assist devices as appropriate to protect patient and staff member.
• Documentation reflects complete information and accurate legal record of patient’s care.
• Follows compliance requirements for federally funded programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Compliance concerns are brought to the immediate attention of management or the Compliance Officer.
• Under direct supervision of RN:
  • Collects patient data and documents in the medical record within scope.
  • Assists physician/RN with procedures as needed.
  • Reviews physician’s orders, lab requests, or follow-up needs with patient.
  • Provides patient treatments as ordered within scope.
  • Documents care provided in the medical record.
  • Observes patients and reports adverse reactions to medication or treatment to the RN.
  • Maintains supplies, including scanning, stocking and ordering new supplies and disposing of expired or damaged supplies.
  • Floats to various units based on identified need.
  • Participates in department and unit performance improvement activities.