Travel Nurse RN - Neuro ICU
Rockford, IL
Magnet Medical
3x12 hrs, Nights

Patient Assessment and Monitoring:

• Perform comprehensive neurological assessments, including monitoring level of consciousness, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, pupillary response, motor function, and vital signs.
• Utilize advanced monitoring technologies (e.g., intracranial pressure monitoring, EEG, and continuous cardiac and respiratory monitoring) to track patient progress and detect any deterioration.
• Regularly assess patients for changes in neurological status, including seizures, altered consciousness, or worsening neurological deficits, and report findings to the medical team promptly.

Critical Care Management:

• Provide intensive nursing care to critically ill neurological patients, including those with traumatic brain injuries, stroke, spinal cord injuries, or after neurological surgery.
• Administer medications as prescribed, including sedatives, pain relievers, anticonvulsants, and other neuro-specific drugs.
• Manage mechanical ventilation, intravenous (IV) therapies, and other life-supporting devices as needed to maintain patient stability.
• Implement neuroprotective measures, such as maintaining appropriate intracranial pressure, managing cerebral perfusion, and preventing secondary brain injury.

Patient and Family Education:

• Educate patients and families about neurological conditions, treatment plans, expected outcomes, and recovery processes.
• Offer emotional and psychological support to families dealing with traumatic events such as strokes, brain injuries, or spinal cord injuries.
• Discuss long-term recovery and rehabilitation goals, including physical therapy, speech therapy, and neurocognitive recovery strategies.

Post-Procedure/Recovery Care:

• Provide postoperative care to patients recovering from neurological surgeries, such as brain tumor removals, aneurysm repairs, or spinal surgeries.
• Monitor for complications, including bleeding, infection, respiratory failure, and signs of neurological deterioration.
• Administer anticoagulants, pain management, and wound care, ensuring optimal healing and recovery.

Collaboration with the Healthcare Team:

• Work closely with neurologists, neurosurgeons, intensivists, respiratory therapists, and other medical professionals to deliver comprehensive care tailored to each patient's neurological needs.
• Participate in daily rounds and patient care discussions, providing detailed observations of patient progress and advocating for necessary interventions.
• Communicate with families, providing updates on patient conditions and collaborating on care decisions.

Emergency Response and Critical Interventions:

• Respond promptly to neurological emergencies, such as seizures, stroke symptoms, or respiratory failure, providing immediate life-saving interventions, including medications or intubation.
• Administer critical interventions, including continuous sedation, anticonvulsant therapy, or hyperosmolar therapy for conditions like intracranial hypertension or seizures.
• Manage code situations, such as cardiac arrest, with advanced resuscitation techniques, including CPR and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation of patient assessments, treatments, medications, and responses in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Ensure compliance with all hospital policies, including those related to patient confidentiality, safety, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Report any complications, adverse events, or significant changes in patient condition to the medical team promptly.

Quality Improvement and Professional Development:

• Participate in unit-based quality improvement initiatives, such as reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia, central line infections, or pressure ulcers.
• Engage in ongoing education and certification to stay current with developments in neurocritical care nursing, such as advanced neuro assessment techniques or the latest evidence-based practices in stroke or brain injury management.
• Attend workshops, conferences, and training in neurocritical care to further enhance clinical expertise.