The practice of nursing requires specialized knowledge, judgment, and skills to provide care to groups and individuals. The RN utilizes knowledge derived from the principles of biological, physical, behavioral, social, and nursing sciences to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care. All care is provided based on the concepts inherent in the model of care for TCH which promotes an on-going partnership between patients and families and the team of healthcare providers. The care is culturally based and age specific. The RN adheres to American Nursing Association (ANA) code of ethics and to the scope of practice described in the Ohio Nurse Practice Act.
The Med Surg Clinical Interns are primarily night shift team members.
The Med Surg Clinical Intern units include:
Renal: The Renal/2 South unit is a 24-bed medical/surgical unit specializing in the care of patients with kidney disease, including kidney transplant. The growth in the number of transplants in recent years is a testimony to the expertise of the team of board-certified nephrologists, transplant surgeons and an all-RN nursing staff. A continuum of care is provided for patients undergoing kidney transplant as they are supported through their unique living related, cadaveric or paired exchange donation transplant process. The nursing staff is specifically trained to perform skills unique to this patient population, including peritoneal dialysis through manual as well as cycler methods. The nursing staff actively participates in delivery of specialized care for patients who qualify for cutting-edge pharmacologic research studies under the supervision of nephrologists, transplant surgeons and clinical pharmacologists. An on-site outpatient kidney transplant clinic provides ongoing episodic care to transplant patients. The unit also provides care for a wide variety of general medical/surgical patients with common diagnoses. We have the ability to provide remote telemetry monitoring for 8 beds as needed. This mix of patients provides a dynamic environment where nurses can meet career goals.
Rehab: The Inpatient Rehabilitation/2 West unit is a 36-bed unit specializing in acute adult rehabilitation. The unit serves patients who have suffered a loss of function related to an illness or injury such as stroke, amputation, brain injury, orthopedic, spinal cord injury, cardiac conditions and many other diagnoses. Patients complete three hours of therapy daily, including physical, occupational and/or speech therapy. Each patient is followed by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. The nursing staff is trained to care for all patient populations and works collaboratively with the therapy staff to achieve our 81 percent discharge-to-home success rate. The unit is CARF accredited and upholds the highest standards of care for the rehabilitation patient population.
General Surgery: The General Surgery/5 South unit is a fast-paced, 29-bed unit with all private rooms located on the fifth floor of The Christ Hospital’s south wing. The General Surgery unit cares for adults undergoing complex surgeries, including Whipple’s, DIEP flaps, colon resections, ostomy creations, bariatric weight loss, mastectomies, hernia repairs, head and neck resections, urological procedures, and multiple laparoscopic surgeries. Nurses on the unit are experts in post-surgical care and work closely with physicians, nurse practitioners, case managers, physical therapists, social workers and our wound and ostomy care team. A strong emphasis is placed on the utilization of the Enhanced Recovery Pathway to optimize the surgical patient’s physiologic function and to facilitate their recovery. The general surgery care team is specifically trained to provide care unique to this patient population through our Ostomy Care Associate training. Our team-oriented and caring peer environment is great for both the experienced and new graduate nurse.
Joint and Spine/Musculoskeletal: The orthopedic/neurosurgery unit is a fast-paced, 58-bed unit consisting of all private rooms located in The Joint and Spine Center (JSC) on floors 4-5. It has state-of-the art technology including the Navicare Nurse Call system, in room computing, patient information and precaution monitors as well as texting communication. The unit primarily provides specialized care for patients undergoing orthopedic/neurosurgical procedures including total joint replacements, fracture repairs, spinal surgeries, craniotomies and intracranial hemorrhage patients. The unit may also receive medical/surgical overflow. The experience of caring for the diverse patient population on this unit provides staff with a solid clinical foundation in medical surgical nursing.
Oncology: The Inpatient Oncology Services/4 West unit is a 27-bed unit. Patients may be admitted to the unit at any time during their journey through the cancer continuum, from initial diagnosis to surgery, chemotherapy, management of complications and terminal care. Patients with medical-surgical conditions and hematological disorders such as sickle cell crisis may also be admitted. Care on this unit is provided by a multidisciplinary team of registered nurses, patient care assistants, physicians, nurse practitioners, case managers, health unit coordinators, an oncology pharmacist, an educator, chaplains, nutritionists, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and respiratory therapists. The team is very committed to providing the best quality of care to all patients and to the continued development of the entire staff.
Behavioral Health: The Behavioral Services/6 West unit is a 31-bed unit providing a full range of services and comprehensive care to adult and geriatric patients with behavioral health needs. Programs include inpatient and outpatient services. The team consists of psychiatrists, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, health unit coordinators, social workers, patient care assistants and occupational therapists. Services include diagnostic assessments, treatment team meetings, group and individual therapy, family meetings and partnerships with community providers. Nurses work eight and twelve-hour shifts as well as weekend options. Staffing is based upon the needs of the individuals served. The unit sets a high standard of excellence and quality care.