RN Critical Care Step Down

About this unit

A 39-bed unit, Critical Care Step Down is committed to providing high quality patient and family centered care for patient populations with various medical conditions including pulmonary, cardiac, neurological disorders, and post-operative care for the surgical patient who requires a higher level of nursing care. CCSU also cares for ventilated tracheostomy patients. All unit staff attend both hospital and nursing orientation and receive unit-specific orientation. Unit and core competencies are completed during the orientation process. Our team consists of RNs and NAs, and teamwork is critical for building a cohesive nursing unit.

• Applies the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and discharge needs of patient/family/significant other.
• Applies the Core Concepts of Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) in practice and uses this knowledge to personalize care for each patient/family.
• Recognizes the impact of nursing care and patient/family partnerships on patient outcomes
• Partners with and utilizes patient/family input and goals in planning plan of care.
• Provides quality care that meets or exceeds the expectations of value (core measures, quality matrix, patient experience, fiscally responsible).
• Provides assistance to individuals in a manner that takes into account their special needs, age-related and cultural-related needs.
• Recognizes the roles of the interdisciplinary team, patient and family care partners and utilizes them appropriately as resources in planning patient care.
• Delegates appropriate tasks.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and competently performs technical procedures and uses equipment properly.
• Documents in the patient record in a timely, accurate and concise manner. Develops teaching strategies for patient/family; documents education and learning appropriately in health record.
• Demonstrates leadership in the professional practice setting and is responsible for continuing personal education, mentoring peers and educating patients and families.
• Stays up to date with current health system initiatives and incorporates evidence based practice and research into practice. Maintains current knowledge in area of clinical practice.
• Completes a self-appraisal that includes professional goals annually and completes peer review.
• Participates in department-based activities, staff meetings and committees.
• Actively participates in hand offs of care, including the patient, family and partners in care.
• Demonstrates knowledge, understanding and embraces cultural traditions and lore of community served.