Step-down nurse vs head nurse

Differences between step-down nurse and head nurse duties and responsibilities

Step-down nurse example responsibilities.

• Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
• Work with EKG monitor technicians to evaluate and interpret EKG strips.
• Interpret laboratory results and cardiac tests, and proactively educate patients in health promotion and disease prevention.
• Initiate intravenously therapy, administer medications, provide care for post-operative open-heart patients and post cardiac catheter patients.
• Maintain responsibility for clinical activities of all nurses caring for patients assign, prepare annual evaluations on all nurses assign.
• Perform electrocardiogram monitoring and medication administration.
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Head nurse example responsibilities.

• Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
• Receive intensive training for critical care skill development upon transferring to the medical ICU.
• Perform advanced nursing care to acute/chronic medical/surgical, cardiac, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic and oncology/ hematology patients.
• Certify staff in CPR and blood glucose monitoring.
• Develop and implement an intensive care class for the staff; implement ACLS class for all staff.
• Develop process improvement plan with bundles for sedation and ventilation.
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