Staff Nurse- Pediatrics Full-time Days

As a Staff Nurse in Pediatrics at Northwestern Medicine, your primary responsibilities will include assessing and coordinating nursing care for acutely ill children, creating individualized care plans, and engaging with patients and families to ensure their understanding of treatments and procedures. You're not merely administering care; you're involved in planning, intervention, and evaluation based on evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes.

To apply for the Staff Nurse role in Pediatrics at Northwestern Medicine, you need to be a state-licensed registered nurse and must have current experience within the past five years or be a recent nursing graduate. Basic CPR certification is also required, and having a Bachelor's degree in Nursing or experience in a relevant clinical specialty is preferred.

Northwestern Medicine is fully committed to helping its Staff Nurses in Pediatrics grow professionally. We offer competitive benefits, such as tuition reimbursement, mentorship programs, and specialized training opportunities to equip you with the skills you need for career advancement. Moreover, participation in shared governance allows you to influence practice standards and policies.

At Northwestern Medicine, the patient care approach for the Staff Nurse in Pediatrics focuses on a patient-first philosophy, which includes thorough assessments of physical, emotional, and developmental needs. The role emphasizes effective communication with patients and families and involves them in the care planning process to enhance their healthcare experience.

For the Staff Nurse in Pediatrics role at Northwestern Medicine, skills in critical thinking, effective communication, and pain management are particularly beneficial. Additionally, proficiency in a second language can enhance your ability to connect with diverse patient populations, making you a more effective caregiver in our multicultural environment.

In answering this question, highlight any specific experiences you've had working with children and incorporate examples of how you've handled unique challenges they present, such as managing their fears or explaining medical procedures in kid-friendly ways.

Discuss how you assess each family's needs, utilize teach-back methods, and ensure comprehension by paraphrasing medical information in layman’s terms. Emphasizing empathy in your communication is key.

It's imperative to mention the importance of assessing the acuity of patient needs, using a prioritization framework. Talk about how you address immediate patient safety concerns first before scheduling non-critical tasks.

Select a scenario that showcases your problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Explain clearly how you assessed the situation, what actions you took, and the positive outcome that resulted from your approach.

Mention specific resources you utilize, such as professional journals, conferences, online courses, and collaboration with seasoned colleagues, to illustrate your dedication to continuous learning.

Share what you love most about caring for children and how their resilience inspires you, while also being candid about challenges such as dealing with family dynamics or emotional stressors.

Discuss various pain assessment tools appropriate for children of different ages and how you incorporate play therapy or distraction techniques to manage pain effectively.

Describe how you involve patients and their families early in the planning process, assess their understanding, and ensure they have the education and resources needed for a smooth transition home.

Emphasize the importance of safety and protocol adherence while outlining how you would document your concerns appropriately and approach your colleague directly to discuss your observations before escalating through proper channels if needed.

Highlight your understanding of interprofessional collaboration, discussing how you would work alongside pediatricians, specialists, and therapists with a focus on shared goals for patient care.