Registered Nurse RN Observation Unit (Full Time/Evenings)

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits program

Prepaid tuition assistance

Job summary

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is looking for a dedicated Clinical Nurse to join the Observation Unit. The role involves providing quality patient care and collaborating with healthcare professionals in a fast-paced environment.

Qualified candidates must hold RN licensure, have a BSN or higher, and preferably complete a Nurse Residency Program. This position offers a dynamic role with substantial responsibilities in patient assessment and care coordination.

Qualifications

• RN licensure required from the PA Board of Nursing.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher-level nursing degree required.
• Completion of Nurse Residency Program or over 15 months of practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive assessments of patients' conditions.
• Plan and implement nursing care based on patient needs.
• Coordinate care with the healthcare team.

Skills

RN licensure

Critical thinking

Patient care

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Job description

Description

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, a nurse will make a breakthrough. The nurse will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

Location

Lancaster, PA - Lancaster General Hospital

Hours

Full Time (36 hours per week). Evening shift (3pm-3am). Every third weekend and rotating holidays.

Unit Overview

The Observation Unit is a fast‑paced 52‑bed unit for both medical and surgical patients needing short‑term care. Patients have an anticipated discharge of about 24–48 hours, enough time to receive treatments and procedures before being discharged. Top diagnoses on the unit include chest pain, Afib, hypertension, PE/DVT, abdominal pain, trauma, TI/CVA, CHF, asthma/COPD, vertigo, electrolyte abnormalities, syncope, hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia, and pre/post procedure (cardiac cath, OR, pacer, ablation, etc.). The unit requires strong assessment and critical‑thinking skills, as a patient’s condition can change rapidly.

Responsibilities

Assume responsibility and accountability as defined by the American Nurses Association standards of nursing practice.

• The Clinical Nurse 2 Colleague is an RN who practices as a full partner on the healthcare team and consistently demonstrates safe practice within the organizational professional practice model.
• The Clinical Nurse 2 Colleague possesses the knowledge, skills and the attitude to effectively meet standards for competent professional nursing practice.
• The Clinical Nurse 2 Colleague exhibits Penn Medicine’s experience standards which reflect its mission and are embedded in the professional practice competency domains.
• The Clinical Nurse 2 Colleague independently provides patient care through the application of the nursing process and accepts accountability for the nursing care of assigned patients. Assigned patients may range in age from infancy to the elderly.
• The Clinical Nurse 2 Colleague demonstrates within the competency domains of Continuous Quality Improvement, Evidence Based Practice and Research, Leadership, Person and Family Centered Care, Professionalism, Safety, Technology Informatics, and Teamwork.
• The Clinical Nurse 2 Colleague works closely with the interprofessional health care team to facilitate the coordination of care across the continuum. The nurse focuses on expanding the knowledge and skills necessary to provide individualized care based on physical, psychosocial, cultural, educational, safety, and age‑appropriate considerations of assigned patients.
• The Clinical Nurse 2 Colleague seeks feedback in assuming leadership roles and provides feedback for improved clinical practice. The nurse demonstrates how nursing practice impacts the organizational vision, mission, and goals and the care delivery system. The nurse complies with all regulations and standards of regulatory and accrediting bodies.

Key Duties

• Incorporate the Lancaster General Health mission, vision and values into planning patient care.
• Function as an independent and interdependent member of the health care team as defined in the unit‑based Plan for Provision of Care.
• Perform patient assessments, focusing on physiologic, psychological, and cognitive functions. Evaluate progress toward attainment of outcomes and adapt the plan of care based on recognized trends and changes.
• Collect and manage comprehensive data pertinent to the patient’s health or the situation.
• Analyze the assessment data to determine the diagnosis or issues. Formulate age‑appropriate and culturally and ethically sensitive plan of care.
• Implement care in a knowledgeable manner and coordinate patient care across several disciplines and among caregivers.
• Provide leadership to other members of the team by effectively communicating expected standards of care and encouraging and supporting team members and their contributions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and a commitment to our values of privacy, quality, respect, service and teamwork.
• Assign, delegate, and supervise other employees and intervene as appropriate to assure that the plan of care is carried out, continuity of care is provided and that established outcomes are achieved through availability and appropriate utilization of human, material and financial resources.
• Educate patients about healthy practices and treatment modalities.
• Systematically enhance the quality and effectiveness of nursing practices. Utilize technology where appropriate.
• Consider factors related to safety, effectiveness, cost and impact on practice in the planning and delivery of nursing services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• RN licensure is required, issued by the PA Board of Nursing.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher‑level nursing degree is required.
• Completion of the Nurse Residency Program or more than 15 months of practice.
• CPR Certification – American Heart Association Basic Life Support, required within 30 days of hire.
• Health care provider in good standing with Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal and state health insurance programs, i.e., not excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid or any other federal or state health insurance program.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program, including one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.