Registered Nurse

LICENSE

Currently licensed in the state of Florida.  

FUNCTION

The Registered Nurse performs acts which require substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skill based upon principles of psychological, biological, physical, and social sciences. The professional nurse is responsible and accountable for making decisions that are based on the individual’s educational preparation and experience in nursing. Activities may include:

1. Application of the nursing process in:
1. Assessment of patients
2. Planning of patient care
3. Implementing the patient care plan
4. Evaluating patient care
2. Providing for emotional and spiritual needs of patients
3. Counseling and providing health teaching to clients
4. Providing for safety of patients
5. Performing nursing procedures for which the registered nurse is prepared, including but not limited to:
1. Hanging additional iv bottles and “Piggy backs”
2. Discontinuing iv fluids and blood
3. Administering meds
4. Changing dressing
5. Inserting and irrigating urinary catheters
6. Carrying out treatments
7. Administering oxygen
8. Assisting in rehabilitation of patients
9. Participating in patients exercise program
10. Providing for nutritional needs
11. Meeting hygiene and grooming needs
12. Providing comfort measures
6. Admitting and discharging patients
7. Giving and receiving orders
8. Receiving and transcribing doctor’s orders
9. Assisting in physical exams
10. Notifying appropriate persons promptly of unusual reactions and changes in condition
11. Recording pertinent information
12. Obtaining specimens
13. Safeguarding equipment and supplies
14. Providing postmortem care

The Registered Nurse with the education and proven clinical competence may perform certain treatments/procedures provided the agency’s policies and the state’s regulatory acts allow their performance. Only Registered Nurses with documented skill in performing these functions may:

1. Start intravenous fluids and blood transfusion
2. Insert and irrigate Levine tubes
3. Suction endotracheally (with or without benefit of and endotracheal tube)
4. Draw blood for laboratory testing
5. Assist with hyperalimentation
6. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

SPECIALTIES

Certain job assignments require special training, skills and proven competency in addition to the usual skills of the Registered Nurse. Only Registered Nurses with documentation of skills are assigned to these job assignments:

1. Intensive Care Unit
2. Coronary Care Unit
3. Progressive Care Unit
4. Emergency Room
5. Operating Room
6. Recovery Room

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Care Team Registered Nurse accepts responsibility for his/her own actions and:

1. Assists Care Team in determining skills and specialties
2. Provides necessary information to verify experience
3. Presents license identification card for examination
4. Presents Care Team with evidence of health status as required
5. Informs Care Team of availability
6. Attends orientation
7. Accepts only assignments of r which qualified
8. Attends staff development programs
9. Practices safely and competently within the job description
10. Complies with an institution’s policies and procedures
11. Communicates with Care Team about problems and other concerns
12. Complies with state regulatory acts

ASSIGNMENTS

The Registered Nurse may be assigned to a private patient in the home or a facility.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Registered Nurse is responsible to the Agency Director of Nursing Services and/or Home Care Supervisor when assigned to an in-home patient.

EVALUATION

Performance evaluations are done annually by the Care Team’s Director of Nursing with input from others in a supervisory and administrative capacity.