Career Opportunities

Clinical Inquiry 

The ongoing process of questioning and evaluating practice to provide informed, evidence based care.

Formulates and raises vital clinical questions and issues clearly and preciselyBrings practice issues to the attention of others when assistance is needed to facilitate resolution Utilizes reliable sources for locating current standards of practice, research, evidence reports and clinical guidelinesEstablishes and maintains a system for assessment of quality nursing care that complies with evolving regulatory agency requirements.Uses QI tools and methodologies to assess performance and identify gaps between current unit & best practice related to key clinical outcome measures Provides leadership in generating clinical inquiry and critical thinking among staff by developing mechanisms that effectively translate available data, e.g., pathway variances, QI audits, and research findings, into information used by staff for clinical decision making.Systematically evaluates the quality, cost, and effectiveness of nursing practice through identification of nursing phenomena and/or systems issues appropriate for study.

Clinical Scholarship

Those activities which systematically advance the teaching, research, and practice of nursing through rigorous inquiry.

Participates in the development and sustainability of standards for professional practice and nursing education programs designed to facilitate high quality patient care. Actively builds effective interdisciplinary relationships to assure dialogue around patient care and issues in an effort to enhance evidence based, outcome driven patient care Contributes to the design of a continuing education curriculum that is evidence based and reflects contemporary and innovative nursing practice Creates learning opportunities to expand the evidence based knowledge and skills of nursing staff.Fosters improvement in patient care by helping professional staff develop systematic ways of studying and resolving clinical/systems challenges.Serves as a resource for interpretation and integration of current policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines into practice within area of nursing expertise.Maintains own clinical expertise and practices as an autonomous clinical decision maker within their scope of licensure, certification, and training.

Teaching / Learning

Assesses individual, unit based, and department educational needs and develops evidence based educational curricula to support accomplishment of annual educational goals Collaborates with directors and managers to develop and implement a staff orientation, competency, continuing education and in-service programs that support safe practice Contributes to the formulation of the curricula aimed at supporting the development of bedside team leaders, charge nurses, preceptors, super-users, clinical champions Develops and conducts educational programs designed to support and enhance their understanding of the quality improvement process, evidence based practice and its link to enhanced patient care outcomes; servers as a “Nurse Planner” for MARN contact hour programs 5. Incorporates principles of adult learning and multigenerational differences in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of education programsTeaches classes related to the care of patients in the practice area directly related to role assignment ensuring that education program materials include culturally appropriate and age specific content.   Uses instructional materials from various media and formats as appropriate to learning environmentAssists staff to utilize quality improvement data to drive practice changes and achieve optimal patient outcomesRecommends changes in educational goals, priorities, and/or strategies based on evaluation of effectiveness of educational programming using process and outcome data.Facilitates the implementation of new health care technology through design of effective training programs and evaluation monitoring.Provides educational opportunities that benefit nurses at all stages of their career development and tailors teaching strategies appropriate to learner needs.Acts as an effective role model and resource for nursing students and clinical affiliationsDemonstrates engagement in lifelong learning and independently identifies own learning needs; participates in educational activities to enable competent performance of assigned dutiesShares new knowledge or practice outcomes at professional conferences and/or publishes in peer-review journals.

Authentic Leadership

Ability to bring people together around a shared purpose and empower others to experience meaningful connections with patients/families and staff.

Creates a practice and learning environment that is capable of adapting to and sustaining change; is flexible and open to new ideasKnown as a “relationship builder” in the practice area – champions working together and creating synergy Participates in the development, implementation and monitoring of practice standards to assure continuous improvement in the quality of service and care.Collaborates with unit manager/director to contribute to staff performance reviews and selection of new staff and internal transfer candidates based upon evaluation of their qualifications and skills in relation to patient care needs.Leads committees, work groups and/or projects related to the implementation of educational activities and quality improvement work focused on enhancing nursing practice, systems, patient care outcomesParticipates in change process and development of innovative solutions to clinical issues that improve patient care, the work environment, and patient and staff satisfactionSupports the integration of quality, audit, evaluation data and research into practice and educational programsFacilitates teambuilding and leadership development and seeks out opportunities to serve as change leader for assigned practice areas Creates an environment that recognizes, encourages and rewards excellent clinical nursing practice performance.

Required Qualifications

Education: