Clinical Nurse - Wound Ostomy Continence Team

The Clinical Nurse in the Wound Ostomy Continence Team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is responsible for delivering specialized care to oncology patients with complex wounds. This includes conducting detailed assessments, formulating and executing treatment plans, and ensuring continuity of care through collaboration with an interdisciplinary team. You'll be actively involved in both inpatient and outpatient settings, providing education and support throughout the patient's treatment journey.

To apply for the Clinical Nurse position on the Wound Ostomy Continence Team at MSK, candidates should have a minimum of 1.5 years of clinical RN experience in an acute care setting, with a preference for wound and ostomy care experience. A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) is required, along with a current New York State RN license and BCLS certification. Wound Ostomy Certified Nurse (WOCN) certification is preferred to enhance your qualifications.

At MSK, new Clinical Nurses joining the Wound Ostomy Continence Team undergo a comprehensive orientation and training process tailored to their specialized role. This includes learning about the latest evidence-based practices in wound ostomy care and familiarizing themselves with MSK’s protocols and teamwork dynamics. The supportive environment promotes continual learning and professional development to ensure nurses feel confident and competent in their specialized care.

A key component of the Clinical Nurse role in the Wound Ostomy Continence Team at MSK is empowering patients through education. You will provide patients and their families with important information regarding their wound management, ostomy care, and continence issues. This educational aspect not only helps in optimizing treatment outcomes but also fosters a collaborative relationship between the nursing team and patients, ensuring they feel supported throughout their treatment.

The work schedule for a Clinical Nurse in the Wound Ostomy Continence Team at Memorial Sloan Kettering typically involves full-time shifts of 10 hours, operating from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Nurses rotate between satellite locations within New York City, which allows for dynamic and diverse patient interaction while also promoting teamwork across various MSK facilities.

When answering this question, share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills in assessing, treating, and managing wounds. Focus on your ability to create individualized care plans and how you’ve collaborated with other healthcare professionals to enhance patient outcomes.

Utilize this opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning. Talk about attending workshops, pursuing certifications, subscribing to relevant journals, and participating in professional organizations that keep you updated on best practices in wound ostomy care.

Discuss your time management strategies and how you assess the urgency of patient needs. Highlight techniques you use, such as prioritizing tasks based on patient conditions, utilizing technology for reminders, and maintaining open communication with team members to ensure patient care is seamless.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to outline how you approached a challenging patient case. Focus on your critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that led to a successful resolution.

Emphasize the importance of patient education in ensuring compliance with treatment plans, reducing complications, and improving patient satisfaction. Share methods you use to educate patients, ensuring they understand their conditions and how to manage them effectively.

Outline your approach to conflict resolution, focusing on open communication, empathy, and finding mutually agreeable solutions. Highlight a specific example where you successfully resolved a disagreement by actively listening and maintaining professionalism.

Clearly define the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation) and elaborate on how each step specifically applies to providing care for patients with wounds. Use examples from your experience.

Share your passion for patient care and how witnessing the improvement in your patients' health and quality of life is fulfilling. Discuss the impact of personalized care you provide and your dedication to the nursing profession.

Describe your compassionate approach, emphasizing active listening, empathy, and educating the patient about their treatment. This demonstrates your ability to support patients emotionally while also managing their physical care needs.

Discuss your passion for oncology nursing and how it drives your actions in providing quality care. Talk about the unique challenges of oncology care that inspire you to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer, emphasizing your resilience.