An Emergency Room Registered Nurse cares for patients in a hospital Emergency Room. Works with Physicians and other clinicians as part of an emergency care team. Provides emergency medical care and emotional support to patients and families dealing with trauma.
The Emergency Department Registered Nurse provides safe, efficient, and compassionate nursing care to patients presenting with emergent, urgent, and non-urgent conditions. The ED RN rapidly assesses patients, establishes priorities, recognizes changes in condition, initiates appropriate interventions, and collaborates closely with physicians, EMS, ancillary departments, and other members of the healthcare team. Ages served range from pediatric to geriatric. As part of a rural emergency department, the RN participates in the full patient experience from arrival through discharge, admission, or transfer. The role requires strong critical-thinking skills, adaptability, teamwork, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and unpredictable environment. Team members may assist with registration, clerical functions, room turnover, stocking, and other operational needs to support timely patient care and department flow.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 1.
Performs rapid, focused, and comprehensive nursing assessments; identifies actual and potential problems and establishes priorities based on patient acuity and clinical presentation. 2. Performs triage and reassessment in accordance with departmental policy, recognizing changes in condition and escalating care promptly. 3. Plans, implements, evaluates, and documents individualized emergency nursing care using critical thinking and sound clinical judgment. 4. Communicates promptly and professionally with emergency physicians, consulting providers, EMS, ancillary departments, patients, families, and receiving facilities regarding the plan of care and changes in patient status. 5. Initiates and maintains emergency interventions within scope of practice, including IV access, medication administration, cardiac monitoring, EKG acquisition, oxygen therapy, specimen collection, and other ordered or protocol-driven care. 6. Recognizes life-threatening conditions and participates effectively in resuscitation, stabilization, trauma care, and other emergency procedures. 7. Accurately reconciles, prepares, administers, scans, and documents medications in accordance with hospital policy and the rights of medication administration. 8. Reviews diagnostic and laboratory results, recognizes significant findings, and takes appropriate nursing action, including timely provider notification. 9. Coordinates admissions and transfers, including communication with inpatient staff, EMS/transport services, and receiving facilities; ensures required documentation accompanies the patient. 10. Provides clear discharge instructions, medication education, follow-up information, and return precautions appropriate to the patient's age, condition, and level of understanding. 11. Completes accurate and timely clinical documentation, including assessments, reassessments, interventions, medication administration, patient response, education, supplies, equipment, and other required charges. 12. Assists with patient registration and clerical functions. 13. Participates in room turnover, including cleaning and preparing treatment areas between patients, restocking supplies, and ensuring rooms are ready for immediate use. 14. Maintains readiness of emergency equipment, supplies, medications, and treatment areas; identifies missing, expired, or malfunctioning items and takes appropriate action. 15. Functions as unit secretary when needed and assists with telephone communication, order coordination, transfer paperwork, and other department workflow responsibilities. 16. Coordinates and directs clinical and non-clinical team members as appropriate to patient needs, acuity, staff competency, and available resources. 17. Provides age-appropriate, culturally sensitive care and education to patients and families from pediatric through geriatric populations. 18. Demonstrates compassion, empathy, respect, and professionalism in all interactions, including during high-stress or emotionally challenging situations. 19. Maintains competency in department-specific skills and equipment, completes mandatory education and skill validation, and participates in review of high-risk/low-frequency competencies. 20. Participates in unit-based quality improvement, safety initiatives, environmental monitoring, and identification of opportunities to improve emergency care. 21. Uses supplies and resources responsibly while maintaining patient safety and quality of care. 22. Demonstrates flexibility and teamwork, recognizing that work in a rural Emergency Department may require assisting with responsibilities outside traditional nursing tasks to maintain patient flow, safety, and timely care. 23. Demonstrates and actively promotes the mission of Morrison Community Hospital and complies with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and hospital policies.
QUALIFICATIONS
Current, active Registered Nurse license in the State of Illinois. BLS certification required; ACLS and PALS certification required within 12 months of hire. TNCC preferred. Emergency nursing experience preferred; nurses without prior ED experience must successfully complete department orientation and required competencies. Basic computer skills and ability to accurately document in the electronic health record. Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team and shared-leadership environment. Demonstrates honesty, integrity, compassion, professionalism, and respect in interactions with patients, families, visitors, providers, and coworkers.
