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Listed below are those nursing roles within the BWH and MGH Departments
of Nursing that are counterparts of one another. In the first instance
described below (PCD/Nurse Manager) the BWH and MGH titles assigned
to the position differ; the remaining positions carry the same title.
The titles and roles within the two Departments of Nursing that do
not have similar functions are described in separate sections for
each of hospitals.
Patient Care Director (PCD) at BWH; Nurse Manager
at MGH
The registered nurse who is accountable for the (quality of) nursing
care provided on patient care units. The PCD/Nurse Manager hires and
develops nurses and other unit staff and is an excellent resource
for clarification of policy and other operational issues.
Primary Nurse
A registered nurse who manages the nursing care of the patient throughout
the patient's hospital stay and is accountable for the process and
outcomes of that care. The primary nurse works closely with all disciplines
to assure that identified patient needs have been met.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Patient
Care Associates (PCA), Students and Technicians
LPNs, PCAs, nursing students and technicians, who perform vital patient
care services under the direction of a registered nurse. Any request
for services of these staff members should be directed to the RN.
Operations Coordinators (OC)
Support staff who report to the PCD/Nurse Manager, oversee non-clinical
unit activities and assist in managing Operations Associates and other
unit-based support staff.
Operations Associates (OA)
Support staff who function as unit receptionists, maintain the patient
record and transcribe patient orders.
Unit Service Associates (USA)
Support staff who handle such functions as hospitality services, daily
cleaning and maintenance aspects of the unit.
BWH NURSING SERVICES
The Director of Patient Care Services
(Associate Chief for Nursing Practice) is the registered nurse accountable
for the quality of nursing care, the conduct and discipline of nursing
staff members and all programs of education, research and clinical
care within nursing.
Clinical Supervisors are the RNs on
the evening, night and weekend shifts who are the clinical and administrative
resources for nursing staff and others. The clinical supervisors are
available through the page operator.
Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) are Clinical
Nurse Specialists (CNS), Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM), Nurse Practitioners
(NP or RNC) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), who
are generally masters-prepared and who provide direct care as well
as develop, implement and evaluate a program of specialized health
care for a select patient population. APNs frequently function as
managers of clinical pathways.
MGH NURSING SERVICES
The Senior Vice President for Patient Care
Services and Chief Nurse Executive is the registered nurse
who has the authority and responsibility for setting the strategic
vision for nursing and for developing and implementing programs, policies
and procedures to meet the nursing care needs of patients and families.
Associate Chief for Clinical Nursing Practice:
One of three registered nurses who ensure the development, implementation
and evaluation of policies, programs and services consistent with
the hospital’s mission and the department’s vision and philosophy,
for a defined program line.
Advanced Practice Nurses are registered
nurses with additional educational preparation in a clinical specialty;
this category includes the following roles:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): A unit-based expert clinical resource
with major responsibilities in the areas of patient care, staff education,
and clinical pathway management.
- Nurse Practitioner (NP or RNC): A nurse who uses advanced skills
including the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients beyond
what would be considered the generic practice of a registered nurse.
Practice may include prescriptive authority.
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): A nurse whose specialty practice
includes the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of obstetrical and
gynecological patients. Practice includes prescriptive authority.
- 4 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): A nurse whose
specialty practice includes administering anesthesia and monitoring
sedation.
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