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Nursing

NURSING RESOURCE UNIT: NRU

Program Description:

The Nursing Resource Unit is an innovative and dynamic staffing strategy recently developed at LHSC. The NRU team is made up of full-time and part-time nurses whose shifts are assigned to a variety of clinical areas in response to their staffing requirements.

Staff is booked for a full shift and has their own assignment. Nurses are aligned to multiple units, referred to as clusters, based on their interest, expertise and learning needs. The clusters, based on specialty and common competencies and skill sets, are med/surg, critical care, women’s health, pediatrics and psychiatry. Nurses in the NRU are provided with a comprehensive orientation and competency development program. Nurses can be cross-trained into multiple clusters based on interest and career goals.

General Information:

The NRU is an ideal team for nurses who are looking for the following job experiences:

exposure to a variety of clinical areas
a variety of learning opportunities and skill development in a supportive environment
flexible scheduling
choice of schedules
full-time or part-time work
challenge
opportunity to meet people across the organization
comprehensive orientation
directed education
career planning.

The NRU is suitable for both new graduate and expert nurses as well as students. For new graduates it can provide an optimal entry and learning experience. For expert and specialized nurses the NRU provides an alternative career opportunity. For students the NRU provides an opportunity for consolidation of competencies, skills and exposure to the many areas of clinical practice at LHSC.

Scheduling Information:

full-time and part-time RNs
Choice of traditional, 4 on/5 off, weekend worker schedules
12 hour shifts
Choice of sites: Victoria & South Street Hospitals, University Hospital

Background Essentials:

Knowledge of nursing principles, assessment, and technical skills
Problem solving, critical thinking and decision making ability
Able to establish effective relationships with patients, families and members of the healthcare team
Warmth, interest and empathy in interactions with patients, and family
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication skills and a high level of initiative
Able to effectively work independently and as a member of a multi‑disciplinary health care team
Flexible, adaptable and able to change in a dynamic environment
Commitment to continuous learning and professional development
Able and willing to work in different environments
Effective conflict resolution skills
New graduates are welcome

Professional Assets:

All Candidates

Current Certificate of Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario
Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification
Member of RNAO preferred

Candidates interested in Critical Care

Critical Care Certificate CNCC(C) preferred
Advance Cardiac Life Support preferred
Recent experience in ECG interpretation, pressure monitoring, airway management and mechanical ventilators

Candidates interested in Emergency Nursing

Certification in Emergency Nursing ENC(C) preferred
PALS, ACLS, TNCC preferred

Professional Development:

New graduate orientation is approximately 3 months and includes formal classroom time, and preceptored clinical experiences
Opportunities to participate in the New Grad Guarantee Initiative with up to 6 months of orientation support available
Dedicated NRU educator to support development
NRU works collaboratively with the units to provide the optimal learning experience
Individualized orientation for each new hire based on previous experience and cluster assigned
Orientation is competency based
Supports on-going career development by cross training into other clusters
Support to attend conferences and courses when possible

Student Consolidation:

We accept 3 integrated practicum students each year. We have many dedicated preceptors who are committed to creating diverse and exciting learning opportunities for students.

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