Patient Population: Neurosurgical, Stroke, General Neurosciences, and Epilepsy Please look at our 10 West Instagram page to see what our team has been up to recently! Northwestern Neuro Nurses (@10west_10best) • Instagram photos and videos General Care Information The Neuroscience Progressive unit is a 29-bed unit comprised of a neuroscience step down (12 beds), neuroscience floor (11 beds), and epilepsy monitoring unit (6 beds). Our nurses are trained to work in all areas of this unit allowing them to experience caring for the neurological population at various phases of the care continuum. Specialty Care & Devices The Neuro Step Down Unit is the 12-bed progressive care portion of the unit that cares for the complex neurological patient population. Northwestern Memorial Hospital is a Comprehensive Stroke Center, providing the highest level of stroke care to this patient population. This area of the unit provides care to the stroke patient in the acute phase of their care, accepting patients immediately post TPA or thrombectomy. Our nurses within this area will frequently assess neurological status and continuously monitor patients’ telemetry and pulse oximetry. The Neuro Step Down unit also accepts patients with cerebrospinal fluid drains such as extraventricular drains (EVDs) and lumbar drains. The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) is a segment of the larger unit that welcomes electively admitted patients who are monitored and evaluated for seizure events. These patients are monitored on video electroencephalography (vEEG) in a safe, controlled environment. Nurses in this area of the unit are expected to safely and promptly respond, assess, and keep patients safe during these events. The neuroscience floor accepts medical and surgical patients with neurological diagnoses. Patients cared for within this area are more stable and out of that acute phase of care required of the Neuro Step Down. Populations served in this area include: Brain tumor resections and management, neuromuscular disorders, demyelinating disorders, stroke, and seizures. The complex care of the neurological population requires collaboration from all members of the interdisciplinary team. All of our team members take pride in being a part of the care team and are looking for another teammate that has the “brains” for the job. The Clinical Nurse reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Based on the NMH framework for practice, the registered professional clinical nurse (RN) is accountable and responsible for the provision and coordination of clinically competent, evidence-based care for an assigned group of patients that includes diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation and evaluation. The nurse adheres to the ANA Scope and Standards of Professional Nursing, the Code of Ethics, and the Nursing Social Policy Statement. As a member of the clinical care and unit team, the RN participates in decision-making, teaching, mentoring, and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to advance the patient plan of care, achieve exceptional outcomes and enhance unit operations. The RN exemplifies the components of what it means to be an NMH nurse, reflects the Mission, Vision, and Values of Northwestern Memorial, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Responsibilities: The role of the professional clinical nurse is unique and essential to the care of the patient. The nurse demonstrates that unique and essential function through the framework for nursing practice. Advocate: Practices in accordance with the patient centered care model Develops an individualized age-specific culturally sensitive nursing plan of care for the patient that is based on the nursing process Incorporates the role of patient advocate into the plan of care Uses a team approach to develop and achieve daily patient-centered individualized care goals Acknowledges and values the contributions of the patient’s significant others as an integral part of the plan of care Identifies potential conflict situations and facilitates resolution using established communication channels Promotes and strives to protect the health, safety and rights of the patient Protects patients by maintaining a safe environment Clinical Expert: Advances clinical expertise, as demonstrated through pursuit of informal and formal continuing education opportunities and obtaining specialty certification when eligible Continuously enhances skills and abilities to ensure the highest quality patient care Shares knowledge and expertise through educating team members, patients and students Demonstrates critical thinking by integrating theoretical kn