Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hospital Nurse
💰 $65,000 - $105,000 Annually
HealthcareNursingRegistered NurseIn-Patient Care
🎯 Role Definition
This role requires a dedicated and highly skilled Hospital Nurse (Registered Nurse) to join our compassionate healthcare team. In this pivotal role, you will be the cornerstone of patient care, responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care for patients in our facility. You will leverage your clinical expertise to make critical decisions, provide vital health education to patients and their families, and work collaboratively within a supportive, interdisciplinary environment. If you are a patient advocate with a passion for delivering excellence in a fast-paced setting, we invite you to become an integral part of our mission to provide exceptional health services.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Graduate Nurse (GN)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) with continued education
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with completion of a nursing program
Advancement To:
- Charge Nurse / Team Lead
- Nurse Manager or Clinical Supervisor
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Lateral Moves:
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse
- Emergency Department (ED) Nurse
- Operating Room (OR) Nurse
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Conduct comprehensive and systematic patient assessments upon admission and on an ongoing basis to identify health problems, needs, and acuities.
- Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate individualized nursing care plans based on patient assessment data and medical diagnoses.
- Administer medications, intravenous fluids, and blood products safely and accurately, adhering to the five rights of medication administration.
- Perform a wide range of nursing procedures and treatments, such as wound care, catheter insertion, ostomy care, and respiratory support.
- Monitor, interpret, and document vital signs, telemetry data, and other physiological parameters, reporting any significant changes or abnormalities to the physician immediately.
- Maintain precise and thorough documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, including nursing assessments, interventions, patient responses, and care plan updates.
- Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, therapists, pharmacists, and case managers to coordinate patient care and ensure optimal outcomes.
- Educate patients and their families on disease processes, treatment plans, medication management, and self-care techniques to promote health and prevent complications.
- Act as a patient advocate, ensuring patient rights are protected and their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met with dignity and respect.
- Respond promptly and effectively to medical emergencies and life-threatening situations by initiating CPR and other advanced life support measures.
- Manage the care of a group of patients, including delegating tasks appropriately to LPNs/LVNs and Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP).
- Ensure strict adherence to infection control policies, sterile techniques, and universal precautions to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
- Facilitate the discharge planning process by coordinating with case management and ensuring patients have necessary resources and follow-up appointments.
- Provide compassionate emotional and psychological support to patients and their families during times of stress, illness, and bereavement.
- Operate and troubleshoot a variety of complex medical equipment, including infusion pumps, patient monitors, and ventilators.
- Collect and process laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, and sputum, and interpret the results to guide clinical decision-making.
- Prepare patients for diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and other therapeutic interventions, providing pre- and post-procedure care.
- Participate in interdisciplinary rounds to discuss patient progress, review care plans, and contribute to collaborative treatment decisions.
- Assess and manage patient pain levels using pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in accordance with established protocols.
- Uphold all hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory standards, including those set by The Joint Commission, CMS, and the State Board of Nursing.
Secondary Functions
- Act as a preceptor, mentor, and resource for new graduate nurses, nursing students, and other team members.
- Participate in unit-based and hospital-wide committees focused on quality improvement, patient safety, and evidence-based practice.
- Engage in continuing education and professional development activities to maintain clinical competency and stay current with advancements in nursing.
- Contribute to the development, review, and revision of nursing policies, procedures, and standards of care.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Active and unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification.
- Proficient in comprehensive physical and psychosocial patient assessment.
- Expertise in medication administration and pharmacology.
- Competency in IV therapy, phlebotomy, and managing venous access devices.
- Proficiency with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner).
- Skilled in advanced wound care and dressing application.
- Knowledge of patient care planning and the nursing process (ADPIE).
- Experience with telemetry monitoring and cardiac rhythm interpretation.
- Understanding of infection control principles and universal precautions.
Soft Skills
- Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment
- Compassion and Empathy
- Exceptional Verbal and Written Communication
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Time Management and Prioritization
- Strong Problem-Solving Abilities
- Attention to Detail and Accuracy
- Resilience and Adaptability in high-stress situations
- Patient and Family Education
- Advocacy and Ethical Practice
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program.
Preferred Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Nursing
- Healthcare Sciences
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of professional nursing experience in an acute care, medical-surgical, or hospital setting.
Preferred: 2+ years of experience in a relevant specialty (e.g., Telemetry, Orthopedics, Oncology). New graduates may be considered for Nurse Residency Programs.