JOB SUMMARY:

• The Nurse Extern will demonstrate the ability to learn and apply the knowledge and skills they have been taught in their nursing program in order to provide technically skilled care in their assigned department. The goal of the Nurse Extern experience is to provide undergraduate nursing students with an extended clinical experience to enhance their foundational nursing education. The Nurse Extern functions as a member of the patient care team, experiencing the complexities of a nursing care delivery model and collaborating with all team members.

• The Nurse Extern reports to the Department Director and will work under the direct supervision of an assigned Registered Nurse (RN) Preceptor as defined by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. The RN Preceptor for the Nurse Extern will support learning experiences to enable the Nurse Extern to proficiently perform nursing care activities in both complex and

• non-complex situations.

ESSENTIAL VALUES-BASED, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES:

Demonstrates competencies in line with the five core values that are the foundation of all activities performed by employees in order to achieve the Mission of Artesia General Hospital

* Respect: Demonstrates competence in respect for others.

* Leadership: Demonstrates competence in knowing everyone has a role.

* Professionalism: Demonstrates competence in the conduct, aims and qualities of health care.

* Dedication: Demonstrates competence in dedication to Artesia General Hospital.

* Commitment To Excellence: Demonstrates competence in expecting nothing less than “DOING THE RIGHT THING”.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Direct Patient Care

• Identifies and systematizes priority nursing needs of patients and families.

• Makes sound clinical judgments, appropriate to current knowledge and skill level.

• Recognizes limits of knowledge base and initiates steps to ensure safety.

• Develops clear and concise plans of care that are realistic, patient-specific and culturally appropriate.

• Carries out nursing interventions as noted on the multidisciplinary plan of care developed for patients under the direct supervision of their Preceptor and within limits of the role. Suggest revisions to their RN Preceptor.

• Performs basic patient care skills in a competent manner.

• Completes nursing care in an acceptable timeframe.

• Collects data from a variety of resources and in conjunction with their RN Preceptor.

• Identifies patient's learning needs and provides effective health teaching to patients.

• Participate actively in discharge planning of patients and assist in making referrals to appropriate agencies when patients are discharged.

• Utilizes resources to maximize the health care benefit of the patient.

• Performs systematic nursing assessments under the supervision of the RN Preceptor.

• Performs nursing interventions efficiently and appropriately to provide high quality nursing care.

• Maintains patient safety by appropriately following AGH policies and procedures.

• Communication

• Actively listens to patients, families and staff.

• Provides RN Preceptor with information for developing a consistently effective multidisciplinary plan of care for patients.

• Recognizes changes in patient's status and promptly communicates this information to RN Preceptor.

• Discusses patient care issues with other healthcare disciplines as appropriate.

• Communicates information that will be beneficial in planning for short- and long-term patient care goals and participates in patient centered conferences or rounding.

• Concisely documents pertinent information in an accurate manner.

• Communicates effectively and accurately during change of shift report.

• supervision of an assigned Registered Nurse (RN) Preceptor as defined by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. The RN Preceptor for the Nurse Extern will support learning experiences to enable the Nurse Extern to proficiently perform nursing care activities in both complex and

non-complex situations.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As assigned.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILL/ABILITIES:

1. The ability to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality.

2. Exhibits good organizational, analytical and communication skills.

3. Ability to interact with patients, staff, and visitors professionally and positively.

4. Perform work in an accurate and timely manner.

5. Maintains accurate records.

6. Demonstrates respect, honesty, and caring attitudes with patient/families and other members of the healthcare team.

7. Possesses knowledge of the principles of growth and development for the appropriate patient age group(s).

8. Demonstrates the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status in relation to the appropriate age group(s).

9. Demonstrates the ability to interpret relevant information needed to identify each patient's nursing care requirements in conjunction with the RN Preceptor relative to the patient’s age specific needs.

Demonstrates the ability to provide nursing care relative to the patient's age specific needs.

AGE-RELATED COMPETENCIES: Demonstrates the basic knowledge and skills necessary to identify age-specific patient needs appropriate for this position.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: Treats all information and data within the scope of the position with appropriate confidentiality and security.

RISK MANAGEMENT/QUALITY MANAGEMENT/SAFETY: Cooperates fully in all Risk Management, Quality Management, and Safety Activities and Investigations.

MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

* Education: Minimum Current enrollment in an Associate Degree in Nursing program AND

* Successful completion of two clinical courses as a nursing student.

* Licenses & Certifications: Minimum Current CPR/BLS Certification

ENVIROMENTAL CONDITIONS: Work environment consists of daily patient contact, which may include exposure to blood, or other body fluids.