Admission Nurse

Lucy4 · Mar 19, 2004

:) The hospital where I am currently working has posted positions for "admission nurse" . Haven't read the job description yet but understand the admission nurse will complete the admissions process on patients being admitted from the ER, PACU, DPC, and direct scheduled admits.

Was wondering if anyone is or has worked in such a position or works where admissions nurses are used and what their experiences has been. I'm thinking of bidding on one of the positions. Any feedback will be helpful.

Thank You!:balloons:

Chaya, ASN, RN · Mar 19, 2004

Our admission nurses are mostly staffed on eves when we get most of the admissions (as a rehab facility we have a heads-up on most of the patients coming in). They receive a list of admissions when they come on, and float floor to floor, doing as many as possible. They usually handle about 6-8 per shift, depending on the complexity/ acuity. They keep in close touch with the nursing supervisor to be informed of which admissions have arrived and which floors are most in need of their services due to number of admission vs. staffing levels. The unit nurses still have to admit patients but this keeps the work flow a whole lot more consistent for us. Ideally, we get the pt settled and get vitals, O2, etc. going and can work on getting their meds signed and up from pharmacy. Meanwhile the admission nurse is doing the more thorough assessment and most of the paperwork, which is the real time-killer. Then they give a short report to the nurse who will have care of the new admit for the shift. It's usually pretty fast-paced and they're all over the hospital. Good luck whatever you decide.

Chaya, ASN, RN · Mar 19, 2004

Our admission nurses are mostly staffed on eves when we get most of the admissions (as a rehab facility we have a heads-up on most of the patients coming in). They receive a list of admissions when they come on, and float floor to floor, doing as many as possible. They usually handle about 6-8 per shift, depending on the complexity/ acuity. They keep in close touch with the nursing supervisor to be informed of which admissions have arrived and which floors are most in need of their services due to number of admission vs. staffing levels. The unit nurses still have to admit patients but this keeps the work flow a whole lot more consistent for us. Ideally, we get the pt settled and get vitals, O2, etc. going and can work on getting their meds signed and up from pharmacy. Meanwhile the admission nurse is doing the more thorough assessment and most of the paperwork, which is the real time-killer. Then they give a short report to the nurse who will have care of the new admit for the shift. It's usually pretty fast-paced and they're all over the hospital. Good luck whatever you decide.

Agnus · Mar 19, 2004

As charge of my old facility I took all admits.

Where I work now we have an admission center. They do all the paperwork the assessment, and take off orders and as much as possible do everything related to admitting.

For example I got an admit last night 15 minutes before change of shift report started. The Pt, came to me and everything was done. She arrived on my floor with IV fluid going and a piggyback of an abx that was just finishing up. She needed I unit PRBCs which was already being processed in the blood bank.

The only down side to this was I had to order an IV pole because the pump she arrived on was attached to a pole fixed to a gerney.

Now here's the best part. They were serving dinner and we got her into bed and there was a tray already for her which someone immediately carried in.

Now imagine how appreciated by nurses you will be in your new position.

Oh yea! I forgot to mention she had 3 very full pages of orders, all processed, transcribed and noted.

Agnus · Mar 19, 2004

As charge of my old facility I took all admits.

Where I work now we have an admission center. They do all the paperwork the assessment, and take off orders and as much as possible do everything related to admitting.

For example I got an admit last night 15 minutes before change of shift report started. The Pt, came to me and everything was done. She arrived on my floor with IV fluid going and a piggyback of an abx that was just finishing up. She needed I unit PRBCs which was already being processed in the blood bank.

The only down side to this was I had to order an IV pole because the pump she arrived on was attached to a pole fixed to a gerney.

Now here's the best part. They were serving dinner and we got her into bed and there was a tray already for her which someone immediately carried in.

Now imagine how appreciated by nurses you will be in your new position.

Oh yea! I forgot to mention she had 3 very full pages of orders, all processed, transcribed and noted.

askater11 · Mar 19, 2004

I work contigent as a ICU/telemtry R.N. 12 hours shifts. I also work as an admission nurse 1-2 days a week. (4 hour shifts)

I love doing the admissions. I go where the staffing tells me. Either to the medical floor or surgical floor. If I have time I'll go to the E.R. and do pt. that will be admitted. I ask the patients the subjective questions and do an assessment.

I love doing it. Staff is really grateful of you. I could never imagine doing it full time. Only because I'd lose all the knowledge I've obtained from my specialty. (not that admission nursing is a no brainer job) I love nursing especially acute nursing--it's so challenging. I don't find admission nursing as challenging. I do like it because it's so easy.

They did have a full time position for admission nursing but they couldn't find anyone to fill the position. My hospital wants someone to come in 5 days a week from 11 A.M. to 8 P.M. So what they're doing now is having staff pick up 4 hour shifts.

Good luck in your potential new position!! Tell us how your interview goes!

askater11 · Mar 19, 2004

I work contigent as a ICU/telemtry R.N. 12 hours shifts. I also work as an admission nurse 1-2 days a week. (4 hour shifts)

I love doing the admissions. I go where the staffing tells me. Either to the medical floor or surgical floor. If I have time I'll go to the E.R. and do pt. that will be admitted. I ask the patients the subjective questions and do an assessment.

I love doing it. Staff is really grateful of you. I could never imagine doing it full time. Only because I'd lose all the knowledge I've obtained from my specialty. (not that admission nursing is a no brainer job) I love nursing especially acute nursing--it's so challenging. I don't find admission nursing as challenging. I do like it because it's so easy.

They did have a full time position for admission nursing but they couldn't find anyone to fill the position. My hospital wants someone to come in 5 days a week from 11 A.M. to 8 P.M. So what they're doing now is having staff pick up 4 hour shifts.

Good luck in your potential new position!! Tell us how your interview goes!

Lucy4 · Mar 23, 2004

Thanks so much for your responses. I did interview for the position and went well. Won't know anymore for another week or two. I get the impression that not many are interested because of the hours. The question of "down time" came up and was wondering if anyone had anything to share in regards to what they do during down time - don't really think there will be much.

Thanks again for the responses and feedback is greatly appreciated.

CherryRN · Mar 23, 2004

Good luck Lucy4, the job sounds interesting!

Cherry

missmercy · Mar 23, 2004

We are in process of trialing a rapid intake unit -- all admissions go there first -- loved having admission neurses who came to the unit, admitted pt, took orders, started txs as necessary -- they are all up on the unit now and then pts are transferred to the floor -- not sure how it's going. Relatively short time in trial thus far -- will see how it goes.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 23, 2004

In the UK for a approx 5-8 yrs most hospitals have a Medical Admission Unit. On this ward all medical admission from ER and community or specialist clinics were brought as beds became available and admission completed. Here a full assessment would be performed, Bloods and IV access obtained and any other necessary tests would be done. If IV antibiotics are required then the first dose would be given prior transfer. Some patients would be kept overnight and discharged from the ward whilst others would be transferred to general wards. I think the original aim was to make things easier on most of the wards. i.e would free the nurses to perform routinaly on the wards without interuptions of admissions I also believe another aim was to have just one ward disturbed during the night and most patients could get some sort of rest/sleep.

I worked on 2 such wards, the pace is very fast and RN's tend to burn out after approx 4 yrs although some do stay longer. Stress can be high as bed demand is high. The experience I obtained was very acute and I don't regret doing the job but when I left after 5 yrs I was ready to leave.

Anna