Describe The Patient's Acuity Score Handout
Briefly describe the unit (type of unit; types of patients; number of patients):
I am on the medical surgical unit for my clinical. This unit serves patients who have a variety of medical and surgical diagnoses. Some of the diagnoses and conditions include urinary tract infections, gastritis, pneumonia, generalized weakness, and knee replacement. There is a total of 60 beds on this unit.
What resources/sources did you use to do this assignment?
I interviewed the charge nurse and used the patient’s acuity score handout.
What patient-related factors are considered in making decisions about the number and type of nursing staff needed on the unit each shift?
Day and evening nurses are usually assigned four patients. Night nurses are assigned six patients. The types of patients assigned to nurses are based on the patient’s acuity …show more content…
Select two of the supports and services listed below and describe how the organization provides for those supports and services:
1. Sufficient orientation and preparation, including nurse preceptors and nurse experts to ensure registered nurse competency
There is a core set of nurses that serve as preceptors on the unit. Preceptors assist new nurses to learn unit-specific skills and become familiar with the the patients, protocols, care providers, and the unit’s culture. When the nurses are on orientation, they will start off with one patient and will receive more patients over time until they have a full patient assignment. Orientation is different for experienced nurses and new grads in that new grads are required to complete 200 hours of orientation while experienced nurses are required to complete 150 hours. For new grads, there are quarterly meetings for the first year to provide training and education on technology and tools used on the unit.
2. Preparation and ongoing training for competency in technology or other
I am on the medical surgical unit for my clinical. This unit serves patients who have a variety of medical and surgical diagnoses. Some of the diagnoses and conditions include urinary tract infections, gastritis, pneumonia, generalized weakness, and knee replacement. There is a total of 60 beds on this unit.
What resources/sources did you use to do this assignment?
I interviewed the charge nurse and used the patient’s acuity score handout.
What patient-related factors are considered in making decisions about the number and type of nursing staff needed on the unit each shift?
Day and evening nurses are usually assigned four patients. Night nurses are assigned six patients. The types of patients assigned to nurses are based on the patient’s acuity …show more content…
Select two of the supports and services listed below and describe how the organization provides for those supports and services:
1. Sufficient orientation and preparation, including nurse preceptors and nurse experts to ensure registered nurse competency
There is a core set of nurses that serve as preceptors on the unit. Preceptors assist new nurses to learn unit-specific skills and become familiar with the the patients, protocols, care providers, and the unit’s culture. When the nurses are on orientation, they will start off with one patient and will receive more patients over time until they have a full patient assignment. Orientation is different for experienced nurses and new grads in that new grads are required to complete 200 hours of orientation while experienced nurses are required to complete 150 hours. For new grads, there are quarterly meetings for the first year to provide training and education on technology and tools used on the unit.
2. Preparation and ongoing training for competency in technology or other