SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Nurse Extern is a nursing student currently enrolled in an accredited school of nursing who has completed a Fundamentals of Nursing Course and maintains a BLS certification. This position is intended to serve as an opportunity for future Registered Nurses providing early exposure to ICU practice, hands-on learning, and integration into Missouri Delta Medical Center prior to graduation. Under the direct supervision of a licensed Registered Nurse, the Nurse Extern participates in patient care activities appropriate to their level of education and competency while gaining exposure to the unit workflow, interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and clinical decision-making.
The nurse extern is not assigned independent patient care responsibilities and must always work under the supervision of a licensed clinical staff member. The Nurse Extern may be assigned to support patient care roles at times with responsibilities related to their education, training, and demonstrated competency. These duties may include assisting in activities of daily living, obtaining vital signs, and supporting patient care as a patient care tech or patient sitter.
FUNCTIONS OF POSITION: Assists patient with activities of daily living, provides basic nursing care and assists in maintenance of a safe and clean environment. Explains procedures to patient prior to initiation and participates in instruction as necessary. Smiles and talks with patient, even if patient appears unresponsive.
Serves meals, assists with meals, and feeds patients in an unhurried manner. Turns patient, transfers to chair and ambulates patient according to activity order. Measures intake and output and records accurately.
Provides postmortem care according to policy. Obtains and records temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and weights as ordered. Keeps hall, nurses station, clean and dirty utility room, and linen cart in order.
Keeps patient environment neat and orderly. Reports abnormal intake/output/vital signs/elimination or any change in patient condition to team leader/charge nurse. Promotes good public relations for the nursing department/hospital.
Records nursing care provided in a clear and accurate manner. Respects the confidentiality of patient, hospital, and physician related information. Provides patient privacy at all times.
Participates in Quality Improvement. Assists in admissions, transfers, and discharges. Collects and documents patient admission data correctly.
Secures disposition of patient belongings. Assists with diagnostic tests, special procedures and specimen collection as required. Communicates and collaborates with health care team members to provide quality patient care.
Competently performs core and unit specific clinical skills. Answers call lights timely, ensures personal articles and call lights are within reach and available for use. Knowledgeable of proper and safe use of patient care equipment.
Utilizes basic problem-solving skills to prevent/resolve issues.
Current enrollment in approved school of nursing. Completion of Fundamentals of Nursing course. BLS Training.
Previous nursing assistant, hospital background preferred. SPECIAL: PATIENT CONTACT: Must have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. PHYSICAL
STANDING: Majority of shift spend standing. SITTING: May spend a majority of shift sitting. WALKING: Considerable amount of time spent walking.
LIFTING: Must use good body mechanics to independently lift or in certain situations, assist with lifting/transferring a patient. VISUAL: Must have ability to observe patient care areas. HEARING: Must have ability to auscultate blood pressures and hear patient call light system, pumps.