Graduate Nurse Extern (6440)

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. You will utilize the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care across diverse age groups, from neonates through geriatric patients, depending on your specialty assignment.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care according to medical regimens and established nursing plans, excluding medication administration, IV insertion, and blood product administration
• Assess, plan, and implement patient care consistent with organizational policies, demonstrated competencies, risk management standards, infection control practices, and patient safety protocols
• Perform clinical duties specific to your assigned unit within your scope of practice
• Implement patient teaching including objectives, content, teaching strategies, and evaluation of patient progress
• Document assessments and clinical judgments in patient records
• Conduct continual 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
• Provide age-specific patient care appropriate to your patient population
• Transport patient charts, specimens, equipment, and supplies as needed
• Interact and communicate with patients, families, and staff in a courteous, customer-responsive manner in compliance with organizational standards
• 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 clinical data
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations, notify appropriate personnel, and initiate or assist with basic CPR procedures
• Maintain confidentiality regarding patient, family, department, 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
• Identify and 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
• Education, training, or experience qualifying you to work with the neonate, infant, toddler, pre-schooler, school-age, adolescent, adult, and/or geriatric patient population as your specialty assignment dictates
• Successful completion of the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) within 90 days; if unsuccessful on a second attempt, you may work in an ancillary role
• State of Tennessee RN (Registered Nurse) licensure or Compact State licensure, which must be obtained within 90 days
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification upon hire
• Patient care experience obtained through completion of an approved nursing program

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
• Pushing and pulling occasionally
• Climbing, balancing, and crawling occasionally
• Feeling, talking, and hearing constantly
• Eye, hand, and foot coordination constantly
• Repetitive motions constantly
• Sitting rarely