Staff Nurse

·         Individualized assessment is made by the ICU 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 ICU nurse to educate the patient and her family on what to expect in the days, weeks and months following ICU treatment.

·         Following doctor or head nurse instructions, the ICU 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 ICU nurse acts as an assistant to the doctor or head nurse.

·         Documentation of assessments and drug therapy is recorded by the ICU 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 ICU 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.