When looking to hire the most qualified, devoted nursing staff, your goal is to attract a pool of great individuals, but not so many that sorting through resumes becomes a chore. You can save yourself hours of categorizing applications by writing an effective job description. Including specifics regarding the clinic, qualifications and everyday tasks of this position can persuade the right people to apply and save you the hassle of sorting through stacks of unqualified resumes. Check out the Registered Nurse job description sample below for an example of the type of detail necessary for an effective job posting.
Registered Nurse Job Summary
You will be tasked with caring for pediatric patients with a variety of health conditions and challenges as well as collaborating with physicians to provide the highest-quality care possible to each individual. As a registered nurse on staff, you will communicate orders to medical assistants and other team members and coordinate with staff and families to ensure the adherence to the attending physician’s instructions as well as proper care and disease control practices.
Registered Nurse Job Responsibilities and Duties:
- Work in tandem with physicians to care for a variety of healthy and ill pediatric patients in a clinical setting
- Create an environment of compassion with physical, emotional and other psychological support for both patients and their families
- Observe care standards set by state nursing board, clinic policy, state nurse practice guidelines and other state and federal regulations
- Safeguard individuals by maintaining a sanitary environment and following infection-control procedures and pharmaceutical handling safety measures
- Promote patient well-being by teaching self-care techniques, and involving guardians in developing a plan for effective home care
- Operate medical equipment with accuracy and monitor patient condition using standardized methods and techniques
- Record observations, vitals and other pertinent health information to keep an accurate record of patient condition and progress
- Perform or assist with minor procedures under the direction of the attending physician
Registered Nurse Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelors of Science in nursing, or an accredited nursing degree
- Licensure granted by the National Council Licensure Examination-RN
- Critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as the ability to evaluate complex health conditions and give care as the situation demands
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; the ability to follow and convey orders from physicians and other health care staff
- Calm and caring demeanor, especially under stress, with a focus on patient well-being, which includes physical, mental and emotional health
- Ability to organize and process a large amount of detail and a dedication to accurate recordkeeping
- Kindness toward children and a commitment to calming and soothing youngsters and their families before, during and after procedures
Company Profile
Family First Pediatrics has been caring for children for over 15 years and our team prides ourselves on maintaining a healthy, calm environment where we can aid children in regaining health and maintaining physical well-being. We are dedicated to teaching healthy practices to our patients and sponsor a family fun run each year with stations where attendees can learn better self-care and fitness techniques. We provide expert care for pediatric patients of all ages and require collaboration among staff in order to ensure the best attention for our clients.
Writing a Job Description Best Practices
- The above Registered Nurse job description sample is a great rubric to use when crafting your own job posting. If you need to add additional content or apply the principles more generally, consider the following dos and don’ts to help you attract the best employees.
- Do keep the job description under 700 words to ensure that important details aren’t lost in the midst of too much text. Clarity and brevity are essential components of an easy-to-read job description.
- Do use bulleted lists to organize the requirements and responsibilities sections of the job sketch. Organizing this way makes the text much easier to read and increases the chances of having most of it absorbed by your readers.
- Don’t forget to include pertinent contact information and instructions regarding how to apply. This often-overlooked detail is essential for populating your applicant pool.
- Do add personality to your prose. Use the section about the clinic to showcase your philosophy and give ideas regarding your expectations for bedside manner.
- Do proofread and spell check before submitting. Having a colleague read over the description before you publish it is a great way to ensure it is correct and readable.
Registered Nurse Job Responsibilities
Because the job responsibilities section is the meatiest part of your job listing, it is important that you write this part clearly and professionally. This aspect of the registered nurse job description informs jobseekers of the most important duties of the position. Make sure to include all tasks that a nurse will perform on a daily basis, and try to use the most accurate descriptions possible so candidates can know what to expect in the role.
It is important that you also present top job duties of your registered nurse job description in an organized manner. One way to ensure readability is to format this section with bullet points. Aim to have between six and eight bullet points, and begin each point with an engaging action verb that allows jobseekers to picture themselves carrying out the tasks.
Here are some example registered nurse job responsibilities you can use in your posting:
- Assess patient health problems and needs
- Evaluate the care needed for individual patients to attain wellness goals and communicate appropriately
- Groom, dress, feed, bathe, lift and turn patients when needed
- Participate actively in team meetings and conferences as needed and disseminate up-to-date interdisciplinary communication regarding patient status
- Monitor the workplace for possible health and safety hazards
Registered Nurse Job Specifications
Just as the responsibilities section of your registered nurse job description informs applicants of the main duties, the job qualifications and skills section should inform jobseekers of what skills, exactly, they need to possess to successfully fulfill your registered nursing position. Although this section is typically shorter than the others, you should nevertheless take adequate time to construct it. The clearer your wording, the better applicants can understand the requirements of the position.
An overflowing inbox of unqualified applications is likely the opposite effect of what you’re aiming to achieve in your registered nurse job description. To avoid this encumbrance in the application process, meet with your hiring manager or senior leadership to discuss the top skills a registered nurse must possess. Are there some skills that are more desirable than others? Divide the required traits from the soft skills to best get your specifications across to potential candidates.
Here are some example registered nurse job specifications you can include in your own post:
- Active RN License
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required, MSN preferred
- Minimum of 2 years of licensed professional rehabilitation nursing experience
- Certification in rehabilitation nursing – CRRN preferred or must complete within 1 year of hire
- Hardworking and strong communication skills