RN- Step Down ICU

Bryan Health; Kearney (NE); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bryan Health in Nebraska is seeking a Progressive Care Unit nurse to provide direct and indirect patient care, perform focused assessments, and educate patients and families on care plans. The role emphasizes timely communication with physicians, nursing staff, and patients to ensure safe, effective care.

Candidates should be graduates of accredited nursing programs with Nebraska RN licensure. BSN preferred; BLS and ACLS are required or will be completed within 6 months of hire, along with NIH

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program; BSN preferred.
• Current RN licensure in Nebraska.
• BLS required; ACLS within 6 months of hire.
• NIH Stroke Scale certification within 6 months of hire.
• Experience in Progressive Care Unit preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and indirect patient care in the PCU setting.
• Perform head-to-toe assessments and reassessments per policy.
• Assess and manage patient pain and educate families on pain control.
• Revise care plans based on patient response to treatment.
• Assist physicians with procedures and provide timely documentation.
• Maintain patient safety by following medication rights and monitoring status.
• Conduct bedside reports at shift change and ensure smooth handoffs.

Skills

Patient care

Assessment

Pain management

Teaching patients

Medication administration

Handoff reporting

Education

RN license - Nebraska

BSN preferred or enrolled

BLS certification

ACLS certification within 6 months

NIH Stroke Scale cert within 6 months

Job description

Provides direct and indirect patient care in the progressive care setting. Communicates with physicians/Nurse Manager/co-workers, as appropriate about changes in patient's clinical condition including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment. Additionally, is able to perform general nursing duties in the PCU department with adequate supervision.

• Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes: pediatric, geriatric and the general patient population.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Ability to revise plan of care as indicated by the patient's response to treatment and evaluate overall plan daily for effectiveness.
• Ability to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory's and the resident care unit's policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret results of waived tests; take appropriate action on waived tests results.
• Performs patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient's age.
• Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.
• Follows the five (5) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning, family is included in teaching as appropriate.
• Demonstrates an ability to assist physicians with procedures and performs services requiring technical and manual skills.
• Demonstrates ability to perform treatments and provide services to level licensure.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient population served. Able to interpret data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.
• Performs bedside report on patients at shift change; this includes any handoff of patient care.
• Provides morning/evening cares which may include brushing teeth, showering/bathing patients, pericares, and denture care.

Education/Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. BSN or current enrollment in a BSN program preferred.
• Current Registered Nurse licensure in the state of Nebraska.
• 1 year of experience on a Progressive Care Unit preferred.
• Current BLS certification.
• ACLS certification within 6 months of hire.
• NIH Stroke Scale certified within 6 months of hire.