What exactly does a Resource Nurse Do?

[RNBSNMe]

I am applying for a position as a Resource Nurse. I looked online for info on the duties of a Resource Nurse, but the information on the job description was too technical. 

Does anyone know exactly what they do, and can you explain it in layman's terms?

[Franjcamp]

The resource nurses where I worked were day shift or 11-7 pm nurses who picked up the slack. They did whatever was needed. Admissions, discharges, patient teaching, dressing changes, hung blood, etc. They did not take a patient load. It was up to the nurse manager(head nurse) as to whether the floor needed a resource nurse.

[rosellern]

Hello everyone,

I hope to answer your question regarding the job description of a resource nurse. I am working as a resource nurse in the State of California. Every State has different job descriptions for resource nurses. I used to work in the State of Ohio, and I think we never had a resource nurse, but we had float pool nurses. Since the break is mandatory in California, they need to have somebody to cover the nurses during their break time.

In California, other than the regular functions of nurses, resource nurses serve as:

1. Reliever whenever the regular/primary nurse is on break during 15 minutes, 30-minute lunch break.

2. Assist during an emergency situation or when the primary nurse is overwhelmed with workloads.

3. Gives hand-off reports to the primary nurse.

4. Work with the charge nurse to ensure communication between the healthcare team.

In the hospital where I am working, we normally have 1-2 resource nurses. One comes in during the regular shift, and the other one comes in during break time. (e.g., lunch time) which normally happens from 11 am to 3 pm. Because we can only cover a maximum of 2 nurses at a time, we have to schedule their breaks.

I hope this information help.