Provides nursing care to women of childbearing age and newborn infants by: Assessing newly admitted patients and initiating a plan of care based on the nursing assessment. Other members of the team may provide information in an effort to meet the changing health care needs of the patient. Monitors and formulates an individualized patient plan of care which may include, but is not limited to: observation, vital signs, fetal monitoring, calculation of intravenous fluids, venipuncture, blood transfusion, push medications, pulse oximeters, oxygen analyzers, phototherapy, umbilical vein arterial and venous catheters, internal uterine catheters and fetal scalp electrodes. Identifies any abnormalities and initiates appropriate referral. Utilizes the nursing process to formulate the patient's care plan. Uses a nursing data base to obtain patient history. Completes a full psychosocial/physiological nursing assessment on all newly admitted patients. Identifies and prioritizes patient care problems. Generates and documents the appropriate nursing diagnosis for the patient care problem identified. Identifies. documents and implements nursing orders appropriate to patient care problems. Evaluates and documents the effectiveness of nursing care provided and revises plan as needed. Uses seasoned judgment in selecting the course of action in implementing physician orders and interpreting their appropriateness to the patient's present condition. Administers complex medications by any route as ordered within the guidelines of nursing practice. These routes include oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, topical, rectal, nasogastric, respiratory and intravenous. Incumbent has knowledge of adverse effects and precautions and can institute and assist with remedial measures as necessary. Remains constantly aware of patient's condition and is able to recognize and provide emergency oxygen, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and other emergency measures as appropriate. Applies in-depth knowledge of a large number of laboratory and other diagnostic studies orders. Interprets findings and reports to the physician those findings which indicate a detrimental variation in the progress of the patient. Executes follow-up physician orders. After reevaluating patient's condition, plans, directs and/or implements comprehensive nursing care utilizing scientific and professional principles as the basis for all techniques and procedures performed. Recognizes, responds appropriately and completes competency in the following of patient situations with complications: pregnancy induced hypertension, hemorrhage prolapsed cord, fetal distress, cardiopulmonary distress and/or arrest, thermal crisis, hypoglycemia, sepsis/isolation, hyperbilirubinemia, abnormal labor situations, circulation in the operating room for cesarean sections, placement of fetal scalp electrodes, post anesthesia care. Effectively communicates with patient, patient's family, medical and nursing staff. Coordinates the stabilization and preparation for transport to another facility of the critically ill patient. Assists medical staff and provides updates to the patient and family facilitating communication about transport situation. Provides accurate report to the transport team and ensures administrative procedures are completed for transfer. Ability to assess the patient's medical management utilizing current practices in women ofchildbearing age and newborn infants, to insure that medical officer at differing skill levels receive appropriate consultation and supervision from specialty staff health care providers. Identifies emergency situations and initiates proper emergency measures for each specific patient situation. Initiates advance life support measures as indicated for the patient emergency.Interprets and transcribes all medical orders, ensuring all chart forms are correctly handled administratively. LEADERSHIP/EDUCATION SERVICES: Records in the patient's chart all medications administered, patient care observations, treatments and progress on the appropriate records. Teaches patients and family members about disease processes, normal newborn and postpartum care, pre and post-operative care, pre and post-diagnostic procedures; expected and possible adverse reactions to medications; health promotion. Initiates discharge planning/teaching upon admission of each patient. Actively participates in multidisciplinary discharge planning conferences with nursing staff. Provides emotional support to patients, family members and significant others. Develops and follows the patient education plan including teaching to promote wellness and health, management of chronic illness, rehabilitation, preventive measures and diagnostic procedures. Participates in multi-disciplinary quality improvement groups to ensure and evaluate quality patient care, environmental safety and complete patient documentation. Knows patient resources within the hospital and community for patient referral, as indicated. Orients new staff during orientation and serves as a resource person for consultation with other nurses, hospital corps staff. contract nurses and health care providers. COLLABORATION/ADMINSTRATIVE WORK: Collaboration with the nursing staff and other health care providers to measure the patient's response to Care/revise the plan of care. Report to the Nurse Duty Officer (NDO) on the status of all areas on the unit. Reports to the RN shift charge nurse changes in patient census, acuity or any other patient information throughout the shift. Works with all members of the team(s) to ensure nursing care is delivered in a safe and appropriate manner. Performs various procedures which involve an inherent potential for exposure to blood, tissue and body fluids. Responsible for ensuring that the work environment is well maintained and kept clean, safe, and orderly. Operates and manipulates automated data systems utilized to document patient care. Responsible for ensuring documentation accuracy is performed by all health care workers involved to ensure proper information of past medical history, adverse drug reactions, allergies, etc. is consistently noted. Requests updates to records from other professionals as needed. Performs other duties as assigned.