Graduate Nurse: Journey to ICU- Acute Care Track

Do you have a career goal to become a skilled ICU nurse?  UPMC Williamsport is currently hiring a Full-Time Registered Nurse to join our Progressive Care Unit Team Gaining experience in this department will better prepare nurses to transition into our ICUs.

This Journey to ICU Program is designed to equip you with the skills that you need to become a successful and confident ICU nurse.

You will spend your first year on our Progressive Care Unit and will subsequently be paired with our ICU. In this time, it is our goal to help new graduate and experienced nurses gain the knowledge and skill set required in caring for the diverse and high-acuity patient population of UPMC Williamsport.

About the Units:

Progressive Care Unit (Step Down)

The Progressive Care Unit is a 24 bed Step Down Unit. The nurse staffing consists of a Unit Director and three Clinicians, Registered nurses, Patient Care Technicians and Unit Clerks. The nurse-to-patient ratio on PCU is 1:4 or 5 depending on staffing availability.

The patient population served on the unit includes the following:

·       Congestive Heart Failure, MI, Pacer, Ablation, Cardiac Cath,

·       Hemodynamic drips- Nitro, Lidocaine, Milirone, Dobutamine, Dopamine, Amiodarone, Cardizem

·       Other drips include Heparin, Lasix,

·       Chronic ventilator

·       V60 Bipap

·       DKA-insulin gtt

·       Trauma patient

·       Patients that require a higher level of care but do not meet ICU criteria

Intensive Care Unit

UPMC Williamsport offers an extensive line of treatments for all patients in our ICU. We are a 28-bed unit inclusive of 4 negative pressure rooms all of which are single rooms with on-suite bathrooms and showers.

·       11 of our rooms are equipped with MAXI sky lifts for appropriate patients and each room fit to utilize the AIR tap system to keep our patients and staff safe.

·       Treatments vary but fit the vast patient population we care for. ECMO, IMPELLA, IABP, CRRT, TTM and much more. We have a full Critical care management team with onsite APP coverage 24 hours a day. Staffing ratios for nursing remain solid with a natural 2 patients per nurse and 3 TX patients if needed.

·       We offer single patient to nurse ratios when imperative to the detailed care we provide. This unit is equipped with a roundabout monitoring system for our patient’s vital watch, 3 touch downs for proper placement of multidisciplinary support including our care transition team, Respiratory Therapy, Occupational and rehabilitation team as well as on unit Pharmacist.

·       We provide sleeping quarters for our perfusionist when ECMO is on the unit 24 hours a day, 2 dietary rooms, Hospital monitoring tele room and even a relaxation room for our staff when the time comes to take a break from exhausting efforts.

·       Our internal hallway runs clear through to each side of the unit for quick access to all patients and entrances into our 2 clean utility and Medication rooms.

·       Our break room is well appointed for our staff, and they have a separate locker room to keep all their belongings safe.

·       Daily huddles are performed in this same hallway twice daily and information is shared to our team boasting our HACHP scores and our ongoing support to keep our patients safe during their hospital stay.

·       We have a very clean and welcoming waiting room for visitors as well a Family room to hold difficult conversations during the process of care.

·       Our Leadership team is full with 4 clinicians, an educator and Unit director.

·       We are supported by our Clinical director of critical care and by the hospital leadership which makes our unit very successful.

UPMC is committed to investing in nurses like you – financially, personally, and professionally – starting on day one of your career. From tackling student loans to advancing your career later in life, UPMC is the partner you need to succeed and thrive in your nursing career.

Here’s how we support our nurses:

• Generous Sign-On Bonus of up to $20,000 for experienced nurses.

• UPMC’s brand new Monthly Loan Repayment program, exclusively for 2024-2025 nursing graduates, offering $20,000* in loan repayment paid over three years (*Eligible flex full-time RN roles to receive prorated amount)

• Up to five and a half weeks of Paid Time Off annually, plus seven paid holidays each year

• Dedicated career ladders, including a brand-new nursing career ladder added just this year, allowing you to achieve your highest potential while rewarding you for your experience and advanced education

• Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per academic year at any accredited institution, available to employees and their dependents (plus discounts for UPMC employees including no cost RN-BSN/MSN options)

This position is eligible for a generous sign-on bonus  Whether you’re a recent Graduate Nurse looking to launch your nursing career, or a seasoned RN seeking a change, now is your moment to find your place at UPMC.

Sign-On Bonus Details (Full Time or Flex Full Time status)

• $15,000 sign-on bonus available for Graduate Nurses and nurses with less than one year of experience

**Final candidates will be placed at the appropriate level of the career ladder based on education and years of experience. *

The Professional Staff Nurse is a Registered Nurse and a member of the care delivery team. The Professional Staff Nurse is responsible to set the standards for the level and quality of care. The Professional Staff Nurse has responsibility, authority, and accountability for the provision of nursing care. The Professional Staff Nurse manages and provides patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent judgment, communication, and collaboration with all team members. The role of the Professional Staff Nurse encompasses leadership, partnership, collaboration, and supervision. The Professional Staff Nurse establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with physicians, other health care providers, patients, and their families, to achieve desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care. The Professional Staff Nurse demonstrates a commitment to the community and the nursing profession.

Responsibilities:

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• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues. Demonstrates an understanding of cultural differences and holds peers accountable for healthy relationships. Maintains a conscious balance between work and personal life. Models safe work hours, time management, and a healthy lifestyle. Communicates with peers and management any safety hazards identified in the workplace.
  
• Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning principles (and/or teaching children if applicable) and applies in teaching patients, families, students, and new staff. Provides detailed and appropriate teaching to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care as well as transition to another level of care and/or home. Supports the development of students, new staff, and colleagues, may serve as a preceptor. Creates an environment of open dialogue, inquiry, and continuous development by asking for feedback and improving practice.
  
• Applies the nursing process within the framework of Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment. Formulates daily goals and a plan of care for patients that involves the patient as a partner and considers the individual needs of the patient in a holistic manner. Demonstrates critical thinking in the identification of clinical, social, safety, psychological and spiritual issues for the patient care within an episode of care. Practices solid communication skills, can articulate and translate the patient's condition to other care providers and negotiate and make recommendations for changes in patient care and unit practices. Patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers. Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction. Creates a caring and compassionate patient-focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues.
  
• Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care. Actively participates in unit-based shared governance, goal setting and supports the change and transition process to improve quality of care and the practice environment. Serves as a highly engaged and full partner on the care team and responds willingly to care team members needs for assistance and partnership. Participates in work that improves patient care and the professional practice environment. Adapts to change and demonstrates flexibility with the change process.
  
• Actively participates in department or unit-specific quality improvement efforts. Identifies opportunity for quality improvement to colleagues and management. Takes personal responsibility in improving patient satisfaction with the quality of care and service. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care: identifies research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest, discusses opportunities for quality improvement at multidisciplinary rounds, and influences patients' plans of care.
  

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• The individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below.
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• They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patients status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patients requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department policy and procedures.
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• Minimum six months experience. BSN preferred.
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• Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families.
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• Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment.
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• Good clinical judgment with critical thinking, analytical and problem solving abilities required as related to various aspects of patient care.
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• Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and to lead others in application of the nursing process.
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• Mobility and visual manual dexterity. Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting and positioning of patients.
  

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

UPMC approved national certification preferred. Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse either in the state where the facility is located or in a state covered by a licensure compact agreement with the state where the facility is located. CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire

 

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• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
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• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
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• Registered Nurse (RN)
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• Act 33 with renewal
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• Act 34 with renewal
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• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
  

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran