General Nurse

The registered nurse has the knowledge, skills and attributes to safely and competently provide evidence-based nursing care to patients throughout the life span.

Key responsibilities

Promotes patient optimum health and well-being

Promotes an environment that maximizes patient safety

Promotes patient physiological and psychological integrity

Demonstrates professional behavior when working with people

Upholds and contributes to the maintenance of professional nursing standards

Actively contributes to collaborative working relationships with members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team

Demonstrates a commitment to one’s development and professional growth

Demonstrates commitment to development of others

Demonstrates a commitment to the development of the profession

Specific responsibilities of the registered nurse include but are not limited to the following:

Identifies, promotes and assists patients to understand major determinants of health

Educates patients on health risk factors and teaches them and their families strategies to develop healthy living behavior

Reduces risks of disease transmission by applying the standard (universal) infection control principles

Identifies, records and takes appropriate action to reduce incidence of disease transmission

Identifies and acts to reduce risk and harm

Assesses, plans and manages nursing interventions to optimize outcomes of care for patients throughout the lifespan in various states of health and illness

Implements general nursing care and comfort measures

Demonstrates evidence-based practice in use of pharmacological agents and treatments

Demonstrates the ability to accurately calculate drug doses for administration

Documents care and patient outcomes

Evaluates and manages nursing care, altering delivery and priorities according to patient need and outcomes ensuring continuity of care

Implements nursing care that demonstrates respect for human rights, culture, regional and individual preference

Recognizes and assumes responsibility to work within professional standards and ethical codes of practice

Protects the patient from risk, harm, abuse or neglect within the boundaries of nursing care

Demonstrates knowledge of policies and procedures that guide practice

Recognizes and acts upon policies, procedures or orders that might put at risk patient’s therapeutic outcomes or are not at best practice standards

Advocates sensitively for patient’s rights based on current legislation and ethical principles

Ensures confidentiality of patient’s information

Utilizes effective time management strategies to organize workload

Draws on evidence-based research to perform safe, effective and efficient nursing interventions whilst taking patient’s preferences into consideration

Establishes and maintains professional boundaries with patients and members of the healthcare team

Recognizes limitations in one’s professional knowledge and skills and takes appropriate action

Assumes accountability for delegation of nursing care

Initiates and/or participates in research that contributes to continuous improvement in standards of care and extends the nursing professional body of knowledge

Identifies scientific advances and uses technology as appropriate for the enhancement of patient care

Establishes collaborative relationships with other members of the interdisciplinary team to optimize patient outcomes

Identifies, reports and documents healthcare practices that may compromise patient care, privacy or dignity and takes appropriate remedial action

Provides and seeks constructive feedback in and between the team members

Participates in ongoing professional development activities

Maintains record of all learning and professional development activities attended

Maintains current license to practice as an outcome of self-regulation

Collaborates and shares knowledge and information with others

Acts as preceptor and/or mentor to others new to the profession or less experienced

Participates in teaching and education programs when relevant

Collaborates and shares nursing knowledge and research findings

Submits required documentation in a timely and accurate manner

Provides legible and clear documentation

Assists the nursing supervisor and homecare manager in decision making and policy information as pertains to the homecare program

Maintains accurate time records

Observes office attendance requirements and dress code

Conserves resources and adequately maintains office properties, supplies and equipment

Qualifications (education and experience)

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing

HAAD license registered nurse

Minimum of 2 years clinical experience post qualification

Other requirements

Good time management

Tolerance and patience

Interpersonal skills

Team-working skills