Graduate Nurse Extern (6225)

As a Graduate Nurse Extern, you will provide direct nursing care to patients within an assigned clinical unit under the supervision of a professional nurse. This role is designed for recent nursing graduates preparing for licensure, offering hands-on clinical experience while you complete your transition to independent practice.

You will work across diverse patient populations including neonates, infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients, depending on your unit assignment. Your responsibilities will include assessing patient conditions, planning and implementing care according to established protocols, monitoring patient responses to treatment, and documenting clinical observations.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care according to medical regimens and nursing care plans appropriate for patient conditions and established standards, policies, and procedures
• Assess, plan, and implement patient care consistent with patient care policies, demonstrated competencies, risk management practices, infection control standards, and patient safety protocols
• Perform clinical duties specific to your assigned unit, excluding medication administration, intravenous therapy, and blood or blood product administration
• Implement patient teaching including objectives, content, teaching strategies, and evaluation of patient progress
• Document assessments and clinical judgments in patient medical records
• Perform continuous clinical assessment and monitor patient status and responses to treatment, reporting unusual findings to the Patient Care Coordinator, Registered Nurse, Physician, or other applicable healthcare team members
• Demonstrate ability to manage care of patients with conditions common to your assigned unit
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide age-specific patient care
• Transport patient charts, specimens, equipment, and supplies
• Interact and communicate in a courteous, customer-responsive manner in compliance with organizational standards, promoting patient and customer satisfaction
• Work collaboratively with medical and hospital staff to coordinate and implement patient care
• Prepare and maintain required records, reports, and files for administrative and compliance purposes
• Utilize patient computer systems to enter and retrieve data
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations and notify appropriate personnel; initiate and assist with basic CPR procedures as needed
• Maintain confidentiality regarding patient and family information, department matters, and hospital information in compliance with HIPAA and organizational confidentiality and compliance policies
• Complete required continuous training and education, including department-specific requirements
• Attend staff meetings, mandatory in-service training, and continuing education as required
• Respond to problems and opportunities to improve patient care
• Support and participate in organizational Performance Improvement initiatives
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe environment for patients and personnel in compliance with established policies, quality improvement standards, patient safety protocols, and infection control standards
• Provide coverage for relief and absences as required

Required Qualifications

• Completion of course requirements for graduation from an Associate's Degree, Diploma, or Bachelor of Science program in nursing
• Qualified by education, training, or experience to work with the patient population appropriate to your specialty assignment
• Experience in patient care as obtained through completion of an approved nursing program
• National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) completion required within 90 days; if unsuccessful on second attempt, you may work in an ancillary role
• Registered Nurse (RN) state licensure or compact state licensure required within 90 days to work in Tennessee
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required upon hire

Physical Demands

This position requires the ability to perform the following physical activities:

• Standing and walking constantly
• Lifting and carrying frequently
• Stooping, kneeling, and crouching frequently
• Reaching, handling, and grasping frequently
• Feeling, talking, and hearing constantly
• Eye, hand, and foot coordination constantly
• Repetitive motions constantly
• Pushing and pulling occasionally
• Climbing and balancing occasionally
• Crawling occasionally
• Sitting rarely