Student Nurse

Job Description

About the Company

Bon Secours Mercy Health is an organization committed to the continuous improvement of healthcare quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Their hospitals, care sites, and clinicians are recognized for clinical and operational excellence. They are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, providing consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not discriminate on the basis of disability. They offer various rewards for hard work, including comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, and vision plans, prescription drug coverage, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, employer contributions to retirement savings, paid time off, and educational assistance. Benefit offerings may vary according to employment status.

About the Job: Student Nurse

The Student Nurse at Bon Secours Mercy Health plays a vital role in providing direct patient care under the direct guidance of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a designated healthcare professional. This role adheres strictly to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as the policies, procedures, and guidelines of Bon Secours Mercy Health.

Summary of Primary Function/General Purpose of Position:
The core purpose of this position is to deliver direct patient care while gaining practical experience, operating under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or other designated healthcare professional, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and organizational standards.

Essential Job Functions:
Under the direction of an RN, the Student Nurse supports the nursing process by:
• Collaborating with the RN to develop critical thinking skills and ensure quality patient care delivery.
• Seeking out educational opportunities related to nursing practice and critical thinking.
• Providing basic patient care, which includes, but is not limited to:
• Care and comfort.
• Recording vital signs.
• Personal care and hygiene.
• Mobility assistance, including unit-based specialty duties.
• Acting as a liaison between the patient and nurse to report changes or concerns.
• Providing high-level customer service to patients, their families, visitors, and all employees.
• Ensuring accurate, precise, and timely documentation for patient care, when applicable.
• Participating in hand-off/report of pertinent information regarding patient and departmental needs upon arrival and when leaving.
• Performing delegated tasks once competency has been validated.

Education Requirements:
• HS/GED (required)
• Currently enrolled in a nursing program and has completed one clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation (required).

Certifications:
• BLS (Basic Life Support) (preferred)

Training:
• Must have completed First Clinical Rotation as a Nursing Student.
• EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training (preferred).

Work Experience:
• Recent experience in an acute care and/or long term care facility (preferred).

Working Conditions:
The role involves dynamic and demanding conditions, including:
• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads.
• Potential exposure to physical altercations and verbal abuse.
• May be required to use physical restraints.
• Possible exposure to adverse weather conditions (cold, hot, dust, wind, etc.).
• Exposure to high noise levels and bright lights.
• Potential exposure to limited hazardous substances or body fluids, including human blood and other potentially infectious materials.
• May experience periods of constant interruptions.
• Work may occur in a general office environment.
• Occasional car travel to off-site locations, potentially in adverse weather conditions.
• Long-distance or air travel as needed (not to exceed 10% travel).
• Prolonged periods of working alone.

Patient Population:
The Student Nurse must demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care to a diverse patient population, understanding the principles of growth and development across the lifespan. This includes:
• Neonates (0-4 weeks)
• Infant (1-12 months)
• Pediatrics (1-12 years)
• Adolescents (13-17 years)
• Adults (18-64 years)
• Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Physical Requirements:
The position requires significant physical activity, with varying percentages of time spent on:
• Lifting/Carrying: 0-50 lbs (34-66% of time); 50-100 lbs (67-100% of time).
• Push/Pull: 0-50 lbs (34-66% of time); 50-100 lbs (34-66% of time).
• Stoop/Kneel: 34-66% of time.
• Crawling: 1-33% of time.
• Climbing: 1-33% of time.
• Balance: 34-66% of time.
• Bending: 67-100% of time.
• Sitting: 34-66% of time.
• Walking: 67-100% of time.
• Standing: 67-100% of time.

Additional Physical Requirements include:
• Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination).
• Ability to perform shift work.
• Ability to maneuver weight of patients.
• Ability to hear alarms/telephone/audio recorder.
• Reach above shoulder.
• Repetitive arm/hand movements.
• Finger dexterity.
• Color vision, acuity – far and near, depth perception.
• Use of latex products.
• Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents, moving mechanical parts, dust/fumes, potential electrical shock, x-ray/electromagnetic energy, high-pitched noises, and gaseous risk exposure.

Skills:
The ideal candidate will possess a range of critical skills:
• Ability to clearly communicate with other members of the healthcare team.
• Ability to understand and follow directions of the healthcare team.
• Knowledge of patient and healthcare safety standards and regulations (e.g., falls, skin breakdown, suicide prevention, environment of care).
• Infection prevention and transmission-based precautions.
• Understanding of clerical duties and office-based technology.
• Strong team dynamics.
• Proficiency in patient data collection and documentation (e.g., vital signs, intake/output, change in patient condition).
• Competence in basic hygiene and activities of daily living (ADL) care.
• Ability to assist with feeding, hydration, and nutrition.
• Ability to assist with bowel and bladder elimination.
• Knowledge of ambulation and patient mobility.
• Proficiency in the use of clinical technology.
• A compassionate, relationship-based approach in care activities.
• Accountability for completion of assigned tasks.
• Ability to escalate concerns via chain of command.
• Strong critical thinking and advanced problem solving skills.
• A solid understanding of the nursing process.
• Exhibiting professionalism at all times.