Description
Deliver comprehensive nursing care to adult medical-surgical patients with acute and chronic conditions. Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized care; manage post-operative recovery, medications, IV therapy, wound care, and symptom control; coordinate interdisciplinary services and discharge planning; educate patients and families; and document care accurately. RN license required.
- • Assess and document patients’ conditions, histories, and responses to treatment on admission and throughout shifts.
- • Monitor, record, and report vital signs, pain levels, neurological and cardiopulmonary status, and changes in condition.
- • Administer medications, IV fluids, and blood products safely; monitor for therapeutic effects and adverse reactions.
- • Initiate and manage peripheral IV therapy; maintain central line dressings and infusion devices per policy.
- • Perform wound assessments, dressing changes, negative-pressure therapy, and drain care.
- • Prepare patients for and assist with diagnostic tests, procedures, and postoperative recovery.
- • Develop, implement, and revise patient-centered nursing care plans based on assessments and provider orders.
- • Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, therapists, and case managers to coordinate care.
- • Provide pre- and post-operative teaching and disease management education to patients and families.
- • Complete admission, transfer, and discharge processes, including medication reconciliation and patient education.
- • Use electronic health records to maintain accurate, timely documentation and verify orders.
- • Implement fall prevention, pressure injury prevention, and other safety protocols; participate in hourly rounding.
- • Collect specimens and perform point-of-care testing; follow up on results and report critical values.
- • Recognize and respond to patient deterioration; initiate rapid response or code procedures and provide BLS.
- • Manage enteral feeding tubes, urinary catheters, ostomies, and chest tubes per unit competency.
- • Assess and manage pain, nausea, and other symptoms using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions.
- • Coordinate discharge planning and community resource referrals with case management and social work.
- • Supervise, delegate, and evaluate care delivered by LPNs/LVNs, nursing assistants, and technicians.
- • Maintain a clean, stocked, and safe environment; apply sterile and aseptic techniques during procedures.
- • Adhere to infection prevention practices, isolation precautions, and antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.
- • Participate in quality improvement, unit projects, and evidence-based practice implementation.
- • Serve as charge nurse or preceptor as assigned; train and mentor new staff and students.
- • Communicate effectively with diverse patients using teach-back and interpreter services as needed.
- • Ensure diet orders, activity levels, and mobility plans are implemented; coordinate with PT/OT as needed.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
