RN GRADUATE

The Graduate Nurse is responsible and accountable for assisting the patient to move safely and effectively through the hospitalization. The primary Graduate Nurse responsibilities include leadership, direction and feedback to care team members; assessment, collaboration and coordination regarding plan of care; patient and family education; pain management; patient safety; and planning for patient discharge under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse mentor. Performs other duties as assigned.

The Graduate Nurse is a temporary status pending Registered Nurse licensure and successful completion of the Michigan Registered Nurse Board examination within 45 days of hire for external candidates or GN status change for internal hires. Retention following failure of the State Boards will be at the Manager’s discretion. A failed RN Board exam must be repeated no later than two weeks following the 45 day waiting period.
Demonstrates excellent customer service performance in that his/her attitude and actions are at all times consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission and Values of Covenant HealthCare and the commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation.

Contributes to organization success targets for net operating margin.
Participates in cost containment efforts through efficient use of supplies, services, and time management.
Adheres to unit/department budgetary practices.
Supports the organizations patient flow efforts through compliance to unit and Patient Services policies.
Remains flexible in cooperation with 24-hour staffing patterns and scheduling needs for provision of care in all inpatient units.
Communicates with patients and families in a professional, therapeutic, and courteous manner.
Has clinical and social contact with patients, including all age groups, and is able to appropriately assess, care for and treat them according to the guidelines as defined by Covenant HealthCare.
Performs assessment and synthesizes data collected by self and others in an ongoing and systematic manner, focusing on the patient's physiologic, psychologic, and cognitive status.
Formulates and coordinates a goal directed plan of care which is prioritized and based on determined nursing diagnoses and identified patient care concerns.
Delegates, supervises and implements care in a knowledgeable, skillful, consistent and continuous
manner by utilization of and adherence to standards which define the process.
Collaborates effectively with all health care disciplines to facilitate patient outcomes, assess
readiness for discharge and anticipate discharge needs.
Identifies patient learning needs and their ability to follow through, including discharge instructions, while implementing appropriate measures to meet these needs.
Exhibits nursing judgement and critical thinking abilities within the framework of the nursing process.

Documents all patient care observations and interventions in the electronic record accurately, clearly, in a timely manner following all established policies.
Actively participates in quality management.
Updates and maintains knowledge, skills and competencies related to area of practice and ages of patient population.
Demonstrates awareness of legal issues in all aspects of patient care and unit function, maintains patient rights and confidentiality, and actively supports risk management activities.
Participates in patient care and unit activities to achieve compliance with all regulatory, patient safety, infection control, and safety requirements.
Participates in unit meetings and activities which support unit function and the overall goals of the organization.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Graduation from NLN accredited school of nursing.
BLS certification required
Previous acute care and unit –specific experience preferred.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
Computer competency, including Microsoft Office and Outlook.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Must be able to work well with the public and able to be tactful in often hectic and stressful situations.
Clinical nursing skills.
Sound judgment in handling confidential or sensitive issues and material.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Constant standing and walking.
Frequent sitting, carrying, pushing, pulling, twisting, and reaching.
Frequent use of hands to finger, handle and feel; talking, and hearing.
Frequent near, midrange, far, color and field of vision; depth perception.
Frequent lifting 0-25 lbs.
Occasional lifting of 26-100 lbs.
Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and squatting. 

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