Student Nurse Extern-Med Surg

Work Status Details: Internship-Temporary | 44.00 Hours Every Two Weeks
Exempt from Overtime: Non-Exempt
Shift Details: Varies
Department: Medical Surgical Unit | Reports To: RN Manager-Med Surg

The mission of Faith Regional Health Services is to serve Christ by providing all people with exemplary medical services in an environment of love and care.

Summary:

The Student Nurse Extern Program at Faith Regional Health Services (FRHS) offers an exciting and challenging opportunity for nursing students to apply and advance their knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to the real-world practice of nursing. The summer program seeks to promote nursing at FRHS and positively impact the recruitment of graduate nurses.

The student nurse extern reports to the unit manager and is partnered with a registered nurse (RN) preceptor who develops and supervises the Student Nurse Extern’s experience while retaining full accountability and responsibility for the care of the assigned patients. FRHS RNs are professional nurses under the supervision and direction of the department manager. The RN works within the state defined scope of practice and adheres to department and hospital policies/procedures and regulatory requirements.

The student nurse extern must demonstrate competency in technical nursing skills generally learned/acquired before beginning the last year of a nursing program; job duties can expand as skills are learned and competencies are determined by their RN preceptor. The goal is to enhance skill acquisition through on the job training and validation.

The student nurse extern will be a vital part of the healthcare team and will perform cohesively and collaboratively as a partner with their preceptor and other interdisciplinary healthcare team members. The care delivered is individualized, goal directed, and will provide high quality and safe care.

This is a paid program that begins in the month of May and lasts 6 weeks. Student nurse externs will have the opportunity to apply into open certified nurse aide positions at the end of the summer program.

The listing of job duties contained in this job description is not all inclusive. Each unit/job is unique and may include other tasks or duties that are specific to the unit and will be included as part of orientation. Duties may be added or subtracted at any time due to the needs of the organization.

Responsibilities:

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Demonstrates ability to appropriately modify approach and procedures to meet needs of age/diversity of population served for the following age groups:

☒ Neonate (birth – 28 days)

☒ Infant (29 days – less than 1 year)

☒ Pediatric/Child (1 year – 12 years)

☒ Adolescent (12 years – 18 years)

☒ Adult (18 years – 65 years)

☒ Geriatric (over 65 years)

• Incorporates cultural considerations in the provisions of care.
• Knowledge of growth and developmental stages.
• Considers life changes/effects on health beliefs and behaviors.
• Provides necessary safety measures.
• Provides information and involves family/caregiver in decision making.

2. Student Nurse Externs under the supervision of a RN assigned to direct patient care:

• Provide direct nursing care in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocols of FRHS.
• Complete assigned nursing orders as directed by preceptor, including assisting patients with activities of daily living, and taking vital signs.
• Complete nursing assessment of patients alongside their RN preceptor.
• Observe patient status and responses to interventions.
• Report observations, patient concerns, and condition changes to RN preceptor or other appropriate staff.
• Assist in the development of the care plan ensuring it is individualized and reflects collaboration with other healthcare team members.
• Perform therapeutic nursing interventions and tasks as directed by the RN preceptor.
• Document all nursing cares, responses to cares, and education accurately and timely in the electronic health record.
• Provide care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to patient and family diversity, preserving autonomy, dignity, and rights.
• Actively participates and involves the patient and family in handoffs and bedside shift report and relates pertinent patient information.

3. Performs technical aspects of patient care according to established policies and procedures of the department and FRHS.

4. Assumes all other duties and responsibilities as necessary.

• Maintains confidentiality per policy.
• Demonstrates dependability/flexibility in meeting scheduling needs of the department and hospital.

Hours will be dependent on patient census and workload. Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule, to include after-hours and weekends as necessary.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other information:

Job Requirements:

The requirements listed below must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION:

GED or High School Diploma preferred.

Completed Clinical Rotations within one year of completion of an accredited nursing program required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Current Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) license from the State of Nebraska required.

Basic Life Support (BLS) obtained within one full month from date of hire required.

EXPERIENCE:

Previous clinical experience as a nursing student required.

SKILLS:

Language Skills – Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language required.

Faith Regional Health Services is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.