Nurse Intern
Shepherd Center

About Shepherd Center

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by" U.S. News "as one of the nation's top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.

Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers , strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have ke pt over 1 2% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years .

The Nurse Intern provides basic care to patients, performing all job functions in an ethical manner and ensuring patient safety, privacy, dignity, and confidentiality. This role interacts with and contributes to the professional development and image of all unit staff practicing in a Shared Governance model of nursing practice under the guidance of Nurse Educators and other professionals.
At the successful completion of a 12 week orientation period and passing of the NCLEX exam, most Nurse Interns at Shepherd Center are placed in a Nursing role.

The Nurse Intern ensures that the ANA scope and standards of practice and the code of ethics for nurses are the foundation for nursing practice.

Promotes high quality care, outcomes, nursing research, and evidence based practice and contributes to building and maintaining a strong environment that facilitates collaboration to achieve quality outcomes.

Utilizes a consistent, patient-focused care approach to meet patient needs and demonstrates initiatives to utilize a holistic approach to identify patient needs.

Utilizes analytical skills and advanced assessment skills necessary to assess a patient's condition and utilize that data through the nursing process and clinical judgement to provide comprehensive care.

Collaborates and supports the plan of care as established by the interdisciplinary team and prescribes interventions to attain the expected outcomes.

Evaluates the patient's progress toward attainment of the outcomes, working collaboratively with the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Safely administers medications following policy/procedure Reports errors, near misses or adverse drug reactions in a timely and efficient manner.

Prepares and maintains a record of observations and care given. Documents information clearly and completely utilizing correct forms/systems and in a timely manner according to Center policy.

Assists with medical appointments and medical procedures as requested by MD.

Educates and prepares the patient/family for future self-management by facilitating patient movement from passive to an active partnership and eventual to a personal self-care expert.

Serves as a clinical preceptor for new staff/students from nursing schools performing clinical/senior practicums or shadowing experience for prospective new employees.

Ensures appropriate usage/ordering of supplies and proper charging.

Performs consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.

Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.

Actively participates in center-wide efforts that affect nursing practice.

Adheres to patient/family centered principles using the communication and engagement tools (OARS/AIDECT).

Establishes relationships with other RNs.

Performs other duties as required/requested/assigned.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION

Must be enrolled in a nursing program from an accredited college or university.

REQUIRED MINIMUM CERTIFICATION

BLS required.

REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS

Basic computer skills.

Basic competencies are expected in nursing practice, patient and employee safety, infection control, performance improvement, practice innovation, professional nursing practice, standards of clinical nursing practice, and systems for patient safety.

Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.

Ability to assess patient and family needs and coordinate appropriate nursing plan of care.

Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.

Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.

Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.

Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.

Maintains congenial working relationships with RNs and others.

Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.

Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Previous experience with patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and/or behavioral health preferred.

ACLS and appropriate specialty certification required after appropriate time frame.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently to move, guide, or place patients. Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.

Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 50 lbs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal patient care environment.

Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.

Some potential exposure to infectious viruses.