REGISTERED NURSE- TR/PRN

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a skilled and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) to join our Nursery team in Kankakee, Illinois. As a Nursery RN, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality care to mothers, newborns, and critically ill infants in both the obstetric and neonatal intensive care units. This dual-role nurse provides care from delivery through the neonatal period, collaborating with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of patients in need of specialized care. Additionally, this position requires flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to mothers during labor and delivery, as well as postpartum care.
• Monitor fetal development and maternal health during labor using fetal monitoring equipment.
• Assist physicians with deliveries, including cesarean sections, and provide immediate postpartum care.
• Educate mothers and families about postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and newborn care.
• Provide specialized care for critically ill newborns, including preterm infants and those with congenital conditions.
• Administer medications, fluids, and nutritional support, including tube feedings and IV therapy.
• Monitor vital signs and manage complex medical equipment such as ventilators and incubators.
• Perform and document newborn assessments, including neurological, respiratory, and cardiac monitoring.
• Respond to obstetric and neonatal emergencies.
• Collaborate with physicians and the NICU team to stabilize critically ill infants.
• Participate in Code OB, Code Blue, and neonatal transport situations as necessary.
• Provide education and support to parents regarding newborn care, preterm infant care, and discharge instructions.
• Offer guidance on breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and developmental milestones.
• Work closely with the interdisciplinary team to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintain accurate and thorough documentation in patient medical records.
• Team member will maintain annual education requirements

Non-essential Duties

• Participate in unit meetings, educational workshops, and ongoing training to stay updated on best practices.
• Assist with maintaining unit cleanliness, supplies, and equipment.
• Serve as a mentor or preceptor to new nurses and nursing students.
• Participate in hospital initiatives, community outreach programs, and quality improvement efforts.

Preferred Experience

• Nursery experience preferred. 

Required Licensure/Education

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Illinois.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification required or willing to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• *New Graduate RNs starting on or after 1/1/25 must earn Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) within 3 years of start date. 

Preferred Education

• BSN preferred*
• Professional nursing certification in area of specialty is preferred. 

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Disinfectants, Betadine, room deodorizers, Alcohol, others per MSDS sheets Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Frequent contact with IV devices and high potential for contact with contaminated body fluids (blood, vomitus, stool and amniotic fluid) does create a high risk.
• However, appropriate usage of needleless IV system, universal precautions, and protective equipment should greatly minimize risk.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Minimal risk exists, given the patient population; however, usage of protective clothing and universal precautions minimize any existing risk

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient, family and MD's
• Vision: Needed to perform necessary assessments of patient status; medication administration; usage of computer terminals. Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Needed to hear patient call lights, calls for help, patient concerns; alarms (i.e. monitors, fire codes, via PA)
• Touch: Needed to perform percussive assessments and to comfort patients; manipulate tools

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to: 

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required 
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays). Carry charts 25'-150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs. Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 2
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs.
• Normal weight:< 5lbs 
• Pushing & pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Typing in computer, medication/supply cabinets, using pens to chart, drawing up meds in syringe and administration, starting IV's.

Leg Strength - up to 50 lbs: Occasionally- (repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.)

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent): 
• Inside hours: 11.95
• Outside hours : 0.5
• Temperature: Normal Range 
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average 
• Humidity: Dry 
• Atmosphere: Odors

Special Hazards: Radiation - Infrequent portable x-rays in patients' rooms

Protective Clothing Required: As required for universal precautions ie: gloves, gowns, masks, goggles.