MercyOne Dubuque/Dyersville Medical Center promotes excellence in nursing practice and a thriving professional practice environment, as evidenced by our designation as a Magnet Hospital. Consistent with the American Nurses Association’s Nursing Social Policy Statement, we support the definition of professional nursing and the essential features of contemporary nursing practice including:
• Provision of a caring relationship that facilitates health and healing
• Attention to the range of human experiences and responses to health, disease, and illness within the physical and social environments
• Integration of objective data with knowledge gained from an appreciation of the patient’s or group’s subjective experience
• Application of scientific knowledge to the processes of diagnosis and treatment through the use of judgment and critical thinking
• Advancement of professional nursing knowledge through scholarly inquiry
• Influence of social and public policy to promote social justice
The registered nurse at MercyOne is a collaborative member/leader of the healthcare team and is accountable for practicing both the art and science of nursing, delivering care as prescribed by the ANA Standards of Practice & Professional Performance described below. In addition, registered nurses are accountable to practice in accordance with standards established/endorsed by MercyOne leadership and by external regulators and accreditation agencies. The RN actively promotes MercyOne Nursing and the nursing profession, and supports advancing practice as defined by the MercyOne Nursing Vision Statement and annual Patient Care Services goals. Registered nurses at MercyOne have authority, responsibility and accountability for nursing practice through the formal nursing shared governance structure, and are expected to abide by the Code of Ethics for Nurses as follows:
• The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems.
• The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community.
• The nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient.
• The nurse is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse’s obligation to provide optimum patient care.
• The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to preserve integrity and safety, to maintain competence, and to continue personal and professional growth.
• The nurse participates in establishing, maintaining, and improving health care environments and conditions of employment conducive to the provision of quality health care and consistent with the values of the profession through individual and collective action.
• The nurse participates in the advancement of the profession through contributions to practice, education, administration, and knowledge development.
• The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public in promoting community, national, and international efforts to meet health needs.
• The profession of nursing, as represented by associations and their members, is responsible for articulating nursing values for maintaining the integrity of the profession and its practice, and for shaping social policy.
MercyOne registered nurses are responsible to carry out the mission of MercyOne and Catholic healthcare and to passionately contribute to the organization’s overall success in all dimensions of performance.
SCOPE OF SERVICE:
Nurses practice in settings across the hospital and the continuum of care. Customers include but are not limited to patients and families/significant others, medical staff, hospital associates, Executive Team, Trinity Health colleagues, visitors, and regulatory agents.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
MercyOne Dubuque/Dyersville Medical Center supports a shared leadership philosophy and encourages nursing staff to demonstrate accountability for his or her own practice. Therefore, the nursing organization reflects a flat structure. The professional registered nurse reports to the Clinical Director, who in turn reports to the Vice President of Patient Care Services/CNO, who, in turn reports to the Chief Executive Officer. No subordinates formally report to this position, but the incumbent may serve as a mentor or preceptor to other nursing staff and may delegate activities to unlicensed assistive personnel as outlined in the Iowa Nursing Practice Act and the Mercy Delegation Policy.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Adheres to the principles of caring and expected behaviors outlined in MercyOne Dubuque/Dyersville Medical Center's Model of Caring and Trinity Health's Code of Conduct, fostering a climate where all customers are treated in a manner consistent with MercyOne Dubuque/Dyersville Medical Center's Mission and Values.
2. Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, Trinity Health’s Organizational Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, as well as other policies and procedures in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical, and professional behavior.
3. Maintains a professional, collaborative work environment so as to foster a positive public image for MercyOne Dubuque/Dyersville Medical Center.
4. Knows and adheres to all laws and regulations pertaining to patient health, safety, and medical information (i.e., HIPAA, Stark, etc.).
5. Performs other duties consistent with purpose of job as directed.
6. Practice within the legal scope of a registered professional nurse as outlined in the Iowa Board of Nursing Practice Act and deliver competent care consistent with standards/policies defined by professional nursing organizations, MercyOne Dubuque/Dyersville Medical Center, and external regulators/accreditation/certifying organizations.
7. Utilize research and evidence-based practice standards in the delivery of patient care.
8. Actively engage and participate in unit-based and central nursing/organizational committees and initiatives that advance nursing practice and quality of patient/family care.
9. Continuously seek out opportunities to improve the quality of patient care delivery through innovative and creative problem solving.
10. Support and participate in nursing shared governance and interdisciplinary decision-making.
11. Demonstrate ethical conduct and practice consistent with the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements.
12. Contribute to the positive image of nursing and enhance the magnetic culture of the organization by modeling professional behavior both in the organization and in the community.
13. Use and effectively integrate technology to support and document nursing activities and patient care.
14. Serve as a teacher, mentor, and coach to patients, students, new nurses, peers, other colleagues, and staff.
15. Embrace change and lifelong learning, taking personal accountability to seek out experiences that reflect current practice in order to maintain skills and competence in clinical practice and role performance.
16. Seek and incorporate feedback concerning improvement in one’s own practice.
REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The professional nurse will adhere to the ANA Standards of Professional Nursing Practice:
Standard 1. Assessment The registered nurse collects comprehensive data pertinent to the healthcare consumer’s health and/or the situation.
Standard 2. Diagnosis The registered nurse analyzes the assessment data to determine the diagnoses or the issues.
Standard 3. Outcomes Identification The registered nurse identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the healthcare consumer or the situation.
Standard 4. Planning The registered nurse develops a plan that prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain expected outcomes.
Standard 5. Implementation The registered nurse implements the identified plan.
• Standard 5A: Coordination of Care The registered nurse coordinates care delivery.
• Standard 5B: Health Teaching and Health Promotion The registered nurse employs strategies to promote health and a safe environment.
• Standard 5C: Consultation The graduate-level prepared specialty nurse or advanced practice registered nurse provides consultation to influence the identified plan, enhance the abilities of others, and effect change.
• Standard 5D: Prescriptive Authority and Treatment The advanced practice registered nurse uses prescriptive authority, procedures, referrals, treatments, and therapies in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.
Standard 6. Evaluation The registered nurse evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes.
The professional nurse will adhere to the ANA Standards of Professional Performance:
Standard 7. Ethics The registered nurse practices ethically
Standard 8. Education The registered nurse attains knowledge and competence that reflects current nursing practice.
Standard 9. Evidence-Based Practice and Research The registered nurse integrates evidence and research findings into practice.
Standard 10. Quality of Practice The registered nurse contributes to quality nursing practice.
Standard 11. Communication The registered nurse communicates effectively in all areas of practice.
Standard 12. Leadership The registered nurse demonstrates leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.
Standard 13. Collaboration The registered nurse collaborates with healthcare consumer, family, and others in the conduct of nursing practice.
Standard 14. Professional Practice Evaluation The registered nurse evaluates her or his own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines, relevant statutes, rules, and regulations.
Standard 15. Resource Utilization The registered nurse utilizes appropriate resources to plan and provide nursing services that are safe, effective, and financially responsible.
Standard 16. Environmental Health The registered nurse practices in an environmentally safe and healthy manner.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Job requires the ability to work designated shift lengths, including 8 and 12 hours.
2. Uses appropriate safety transfer techniques and body mechanics when moving, transporting, etc., of patients or equipment.
3. Has the physical stamina to meet the requirements of this job description, including frequent walking, bending, and standing.
4. Job requires the use of hands for simple and firm grasping and fine manipulating.
5. The essential functions of the RN include performing the following activities continuously (67-100% of the workday: Physical activities performed frequently (34-66% of the workday) include standing; physical activities performed occasionally (0-33% of the workday) include sitting, twisting, and squatting. Both hands are used to perform the job duties.
6. Job requires lifting and frequent carrying (21-50% of work time) 11-24 lbs., and occasionally (6-10% of work time) up to 35 lbs. with assistance/assistive devices.
7. Must understand and accept the possibility of exposure to environmental elements, internal and external, which may affect the workplace, such as infectious disease, chemical and/or chemical fumes, dust, noise, physical injury from an out-of-control patient, and adverse effects of inclement weather which may occur.
8. Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances.
9. Is able to function effectively under stressful situations.
10. Job requires high level of mental concentration to attain established deadlines. Working environment includes frequent interruptions.
11. Must be able to speak, hear speech and see at near visual acuity level.
12. An associate may be called upon to perform physical actions not specifically identified in this job description.
13. Must adhere to applicable organizational requirements on an annual basis for Employee Health Directives.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
(EDUCATION, LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED):
1. Education, Licensure and Certification
A. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred or within 4 years of hire.
B. Must be a registered nurse and must hold an active license to practice nursing in the State of Iowa.
C. Certification by a nationally recognized nursing organization is preferred and strongly encouraged.
D. The registered nurse continuously seeks opportunities to enhance his or her own professional nursing practice. Membership in an appropriate professional nursing organization is recommended.
E. Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training is required within 6 months of hire and every 3 years thereafter.
F. Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) will be required within 30 days of hire and every 2 years thereafter.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.