Job Purpose:

The Nursing Student Co-op provides family centered healthcare utilizing a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to deliver state of the art care to all patients under the general supervision of a licensed RN.

The Nursing Co-op professional responsibility within their scope of practice include:

1. Abides by and enforces all compliance requirements and policies and performs their responsibilities in an ethical manner consistent with the organizations values.
2. Adheres to hospital policies including confidentiality
3. Requires regular and prompt attendance
4. Works the assigned schedule including overtime.
5. Participates in orientation of new employees as assigned.
6. Receives verbal and written assignments from RN/LPN.

The Nursing Student Co-op patient care /Department responsibilities include:

1. Requires minimal supervision to safely perform patient care.
2. Utilizes proper body mechanics when:
   
   • Moving, positioning and transferring patients without assistance or with assistance when needed for patient safety.
   • Moving equipment that is necessary to perform essential functions
3. Promptly reports any changes in the patients condition to RN/LPN.
4. Operates unit equipment as required.
5. Maintains clean and neat stocked areas and patient rooms.
6. Runs unit errands as needed.
7. Cleans equipment between each patient use.
8. Assists patients with Activities of Daily Living (as needed).
9. Assists with and accompanies patient on admission, discharge, and transfer.
10. Keeps hallway clear of equipment.
11. Distributes water and ice.
12. Answers patient call lights promptly.
13. Utilizes principles of cultural diversity.
14. Maintains 24-hour urine collections.
15. Performs:
    • Catheter care
    • Basic wound care
    • Blood glucose monitor
    • Incentive Spirometry
16. Obtains vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation.
17. Appropriately charts patient care by both handwritten and computer entries.
18. Recognition of abuse and neglect.
19. Performs related duties as required.

The Nursing Student Co-op communication responsibilities include:

1. Communicates and uses appropriate customer relations skills with physicians, patients, families and healthcare team in person and via telephone.
2. Responds to overhead pages.

The Nursing Student Co-op documentation responsibilities include:

Maintains accurate and complete records by:

• Recording vital signs and weights
• Recording accurate intake and output (to include NG, chest tube, ostomy bag, foley, diaper)
• Signing or initializing documentation
• Assisting with completion of daily flowsheet

The Nursing Student Co-op citizenship responsibilities include:

1. Accepts and completes all duties positively and without conflict.
2. Cooperates, helps others and improves the performance of the unit.
3. Completes all mandatory unit, educational and hospital requirments.
4. Utilizes cost effective practices in performing all aspects of the job.
5. Adheres to current Infection Control and Safety Standards Standards.

The Nursing Student Co-op responsibilities for providing age specific care include:

Demonstrates the ability to provide competent patient care to all patient populations.

Enrollment at the University of South Alabama College of Nursing and minimum requirements met.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Completion of the following courses:
  • NUE 327 Pathophysiology Basis of Nursing
  • NU 325 Health Assessment
  • HSC 343 Clinical Pharmacology
  • NU 311 Clinical Nursing Skills
  • HSC 342 Administration of Medication
• Enrollment in the Co-op course each semester
• Student must have GPA of 5 or greater as verified by the College of Nursing and must maintain this average.

Equipment, tools or machines operated:

• Stretchers
• Wheelchairs
• Electronic scales
• Clinical Information System
• Beeper System
• Patient Call Light System
• Pulse Oximeter
• Electronic thermometers
• Non-Invasive monitoring system
• Blood Glucose monitor
• Warming/Cooling units
• Apnea monitors
• Emergency call system
• Patient lift
• Specialty beds