Registered Nurse (Med Surg / Float)

This position offers the opportunity to provide comprehensive nursing care to a diverse patient population in a medical-surgical setting with float responsibilities. You will perform the full nursing process—assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation—while collaborating with physicians and interdisciplinary team members to coordinate and implement patient treatments and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Conduct patient interviews, explain policies and procedures, review patient charts, and answer questions courteously
• Assess gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and neurological health status; determine mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, and skin condition
• Assess pain levels and pain management effectiveness
• Communicate and document physiologic and psychological health status
• Identify patient coping mechanisms, knowledge level, and comprehension ability; recognize cultural and ethnic requirements to reduce anxiety and ensure satisfaction
• Develop individualized patient outcome statements and goals; identify care activities and establish priorities to achieve expected outcomes
• Coordinate cost-effective use of supplies, equipment, and medication
• Implement the plan of care while maintaining constant vigilance over patient safety (side rails, call lights, bedside stand accessibility)
• Exercise professional clinical skills; reassess patients as needed and revise the plan of care appropriately
• Administer prescribed treatments and use equipment safely and efficiently
• Provide emotional support to patients and significant others
• Apply scientific principles in performing procedures safely, timely, and efficiently
• Make accurate observations during treatments and procedures; report and record appropriately
• Maintain accurate documentation of patient treatment, activity, condition, and responses to interventions
• Act rapidly and effectively during emergency situations
• Provide a calm, quiet, restful atmosphere; communicate effectively with family and caretakers
• Participate in discharge planning and coordinate referrals; provide discharge instructions
• Evaluate care provided and measure effectiveness; perform variance analysis for performance improvement
• Collaborate with care team members in planning and implementing treatment regimens
• Provide direction to other members of the care team
• Interpret and implement physician-prescribed treatment regimens; assist physicians during treatments and diagnostic procedures
• Keep the Patient Care Manager and physician informed of changes in patient condition or treatment
• Use clinical judgment in delegating assignments and ensure timely completion
• Perform Decubitus Care (Grade I-IV) and preventive skin care measures
• Apply simple dressings using aseptic technique principles
• Apply warm and cold compresses and perform irrigations per facility procedure
• Administer medications correctly and safely; identify medication action, dosage, side effects, and patient implications
• Meet standards on medication administration examination
• Educate patients and significant others regarding drug and food interactions
• Participate in patient and family education; provide explanations of patient conditions
• Communicate assessment data in an orderly fashion by recording, updating, and verbalizing pertinent information to care team members and appropriate agencies
• Recognize and utilize health teaching opportunities and available resources
• Provide early discharge planning and appropriate referrals for post-hospital care
• Evaluate teaching effectiveness through patient and family feedback and document results
• Perform related duties as required

Required Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing
• Current License to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State
• Specialized certifications as needed for the role

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
• Enrollment in an accredited BSN program within two years of job entry date, with completion of BSN degree within five years of job entry date