Nursing School New Graduate - Skilled Unit
Nursing School New Graduate Program
Our mission is to enhance the lives of our residents and their families. Such care recognizes the importance of quality service to residents and co-workers. Each employee has the following responsibilities as an individual:
- Responsible - works independently, in a safe and appropriate manner.
- Sensitive - displays sensitivity and empathy to the needs of residents and co-workers
- Timely - recognizes time as a most valuable resource and responds promptly to resident's and co-workers' needs.
- Accurate - works carefully and precisely, with attention to detail.
- Coordinated - organizes and delivers service in the proper order. Displays good organizational skills and utilizes resources wisely.
- Thorough - meets all requirements of the position. Is able to evaluate and follow-up services.
It is the policy of Lakewood that new graduates of registered nurse programs may be considered for hire prior to their initial licensure. Technically, these individuals are unlicensed assistive personnel since they are not eligible to be classified as registered professional nurse (RN) applicants. However, to differentiate them from certified nursing assistants and other unlicensed assistive personnel, these individuals may be referred to as new graduates These new graduates may not refer to themselves as RN's and may not practice as RN's. However, the orientation of Nursing School New Graduates prior to licensure is an important component of the preparation for the role of a licensed nurse and an important aspect of a new nurse's career. For purposes of orientation prior to licensure the graduate nurse must be in a structured setting with a defined educational program for the orientation of the new graduate. Lakewood will utilize the following criteria for orientation of a graduate nurse prior to licensure:
Procedure
- The Nursing School New Graduate NSNG shall have submitted an application for examination to NCLEX.
- A registered nurse (RN) preceptor must be designated as the responsible individual to provide continuous, on-site supervision for the graduate nurse.
- The NSNG may not engage in independent nursing responsibilities such as: delegating nursing functions to other nursing personnel, and independently passing medications or administering intravenous therapy. The graduate nurse should not be part of the facility's staffing pattern i.e. does not carry a patient assignment.
- NSNG are required to pass the NCLEX examination within three months of starting orientation. The graduate nurse is responsible to immediately share the results of their NCLEX examination with their supervisor when available. If the individual is not licensed by the end of a three month orientation or has failed the first attempt at the NCLEX examination, the graduate nurse will be terminated and/or placed in a position that does not require licensure or registry.
- The title for the hospital name tag will be Nursing School New Graduate.
- Must Have, or be eligible to obtain, an active certification or licensure such as CNA, LPN, CST, Pharmacy Tech or other eligible licensure approved by VP of Nursing
- The NSNG may function as unlicensed assistive personnel and as such cannot carry out registered nurse functions for which the RN is responsible to sign. However, the NSNG may do the following after the nurse manager has approved these duties through assessment of the graduate nurse's skills:
- Give personal care to the patient, i.e., bathe, shave, and ambulate. This only applies to a patient with whom the graduate nurse is following with the preceptor RN (It does not mean the graduate nurse is assigned several patients for personal care such as the CNA).
- Review with the RN the medications and treatments for the patient verbalizing the rationale and effects of the medication.
- Shadow the RN in procedures whenever possible.
- Learn to set up and run equipment.
- Work with the Department secretary in transcribing orders, computer entries, and chart completion.
- Review policies, procedures, and standards of care.
- Work on a care plan for a patient with whom she is following with the RN. The RN reviews, adds to, revises, and signs the care plan.
- The graduate nurse may carry out the assessment routines for a patient and give the feedback to the nurse. The NR preceptor must do his/her own assessment and do the charting in the medical record.
- The RN preceptor will not co-sign any work done by the NSNG.
- For purposes of the orientation process, those persons who are CNA's or LPN's must function within the guidelines or parameters within the orientation program. Outside the orientation program, employment within the framework of the existing license or certification would not be precluded.
- The graduate nurse will be paid at the hourly rate of a beginning RN. If the graduate nurse fails to pass the NCLEX examination, they will be dropped down to a rate of pay equivalent to a CNA or removed from employment.
- A second failure of the NCLEX examination will result in termination from the graduate nurse position.
Physical Environment
Exposed to all resident elements including; Blood/Body fluids and other unpleasant elements. At times, long and irregular hours are necessary. Exposure to hazardous substances is at times, unavoidable.
Physical Criteria/Effort
Work involves standing and/or walking over 70% of the time. There is moderate physical effort in positioning, lifting or moving residents of various weights and body shapes, with and without assistance. Vision and hearing acuteness is required at all times. Repeated bending, squatting, and stooping is necessary. The incumbent is subject to frustration and fatigue.
Essential Functions and Work Role Responsibilities
A. Establishes and maintains a professional relationship with residents, visitors, facility staff, physicians, and the community while assuring confidentiality of resident information.
B. Supports the philosophy, objectives and goals of the Nursing Department and utilization of the nursing process in the delivery of quality resident care.
C. Assesses personal learning and professional growth needs and seeks educational opportunities to meet those needs.
D. Willingly and actively participates in assigned facility committees.
E. Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of nursing practice.
Education/Experience
- Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing.