RN New Graduate Nurse

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About the Role

The UNC Health Rex Nurse Residency program is a twelve-month program designed to support the transition of new graduate nurses from academia to practice. It offers structured clinical and professional growth, including classroom sessions focused on clinical skills, continuing education, and a group evidence-based practice project. Participants will complete unit-defined milestones and regularly check in with unit leadership and educators. The program aims to increase proficiency, promote evidence-based practice, develop clinical leadership skills, and integrate nurses into an inclusive organization.

About 5 West – Acute Care Neuroscience

5 West is a 30-bed neuroscience unit, including a 4-bed step-down unit, caring for patients with neurological disorders and medical-surgical conditions. The unit utilizes a Buddy System and self-scheduling with a holiday tract. It supports professional growth through assistance with certifications and educational courses. The team played an essential role in UNC REX becoming a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Key Responsibilities

• Education: Participate in identifying and meeting personal learning needs; attend education programs; use patient education materials; assess readiness to learn and developmental level of patients and families.
• Evaluation of Care: Identify expected patient outcomes; seek guidance in revising the plan of care; participate in interdisciplinary team discussions on patient care evaluation; communicate relevant information for continuity of care.
• Implementation: Demonstrate competence in caring for patients with complex problems, considering physical, psychosocial, educational, and safety aspects; perform bedside point-of-care testing; utilize healthcare organization and nursing standards, policies, and procedures; organize and prioritize care; consult with appropriate resources for complex patient issues; promote a safe, clean, and secure hospital environment.
• Leadership: Develop goals for professional growth; achieve goals or renegotiate with supervisor; understand inter/intradepartmental collaboration; participate in unit goal development and performance improvement activities; effectively use communication systems; promote cost-effective care; provide feedback to coworkers; be aware of public policy and regulatory guidelines.
• Patient Assessment: Recognize data from complex situations to determine care priorities; include physical, psychosocial, education, and safety needs; synthesize assessment data before communication; assess and anticipate discharge needs; develop relationships with families to promote advocacy.
• Planning: Collaborate with patients/families on the plan of care; utilize multidisciplinary resources; convey planning through communication; identify and address cultural and ethnic issues; prioritize tasks for patients with complex problems.
• Research: Read relevant journals; bring ideas and questions to staff for assessment of applicability.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification.
• Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of North Carolina by the day of clinical care.
• Graduation from a school of professional nursing.
• If hired after January 6, 2014, must be enrolled within four years of employment and obtain a Bachelor's degree with a major in Nursing or a Master's degree with a major in Nursing within seven years of employment date.

Qualifications

• New Graduate Nurse:
• Graduation from school of professional nursing.
• Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of North Carolina by the day of clinical care.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification.
• Defined as a new graduate nurse:
• Nursing student in their final semester of nursing program OR
• Nursing graduate within 12 months of graduation AND
• RN who has worked less than 6 months as a registered nurse.

Incentive Programs

• UNC Rex Incentive Program: Up to $25,000 tuition loan forgiveness or $10,000 Commitment Incentive (for select departments).
• Relocation assistance: Up to $5,000 (based on location).
• Employee referral program.