Staff Nurse

• Individualized assessment is made by the MICU/CCU/ITU nurse to determine the immediate needs of the critical care patient.
• Ongoing assessment is then established to keep tabs on the patient's condition and make any changes in treatment based on hospital policy, procedure and protocol.
• Assessment helps the nurse and other hospital staff determines what plan of action to take in care of the patient.
• Assessment also allows the CCU/MICU/ITU nurse to educate the patient and her family on what to expect in the days, weeks and months following CCU/MICU/ITU treatment.
• Following doctor or head nurse instructions, the CCU/MICU/ITU nurse performs treatments and therapies for the patient.
• She gives the patient all necessary medication. If the patient lapses into cardiac arrest or another condition that requires resuscitation, the nurse follow hospital protocols and administers life-saving techniques.
• When a patient's condition changes rapidly, the nurse makes quick decisions to treat the patient effectively.
• As shift changes occur, it is the nurse's duty to inform the relief nurse of all patient care information.
• If the patient requires special procedures, the CCU/MICU/ITU nurse acts as an assistant to the doctor or head nurse.
• Documentation of assessments and drug therapy is recorded by the CCU/MICU/ITU nurse.
• She also makes documentation of physical therapy and other treatments given.
• The nurse must also keep all patient clinical records with doctor orders confidentially secure.
• The CCU/MICU/ITU nurse must be no discriminative and nonjudgmental when dealing with patients.
• In some cases, the ICU nurse is the team leader on the nursing staff and reports directly to the head or charge nurse.
• In this position, she has the duty of directing and developing the skills and abilities of the staff under her.
• She is also responsible for giving the team assignments as directed by the head nurse.

The nurse plays an active role in team conferences, participating in in-service trainings and initiating CPR and codes classes when needed