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Nurses: Center for Nursing Excellence

Inpatient Resource Nurse Program

11.2017 TD / 06.2020 RT / 06.2021 LC / 04.2022 LC / 04.2023 SM / 04.2024 SM

Vision:

The vision of the Resource Nurse Program (RNP) is to promote clinical excellence, quality and performance improvement, and continuous growth of UAMS professional nurses who provide direct patient care.

Mission:

To utilize highly-skilled, self-motivated direct patient care nurses to improve patient outcomes.

Scope

The following units are eligible to participate in the 2025 Inpatient Resource RN Program: E4, E5, E6, E7, ED, F4, F5/H5, F6, F7, F8, F9, H4, H6, H7, H8, H9, PRI 5, and PRI 6. The program is unit based; however, float pool may participate if commitment is agreed upon between the nurse and the unit leadership.

RNP Application and Selection Process:

  1. CSM and/or Clinical Specialist identify eligible candidates and extend application opportunity to eligible staff.
  2. Eligible and interested candidates complete the Self-Evaluation Form and submit to the CSM.
  3. CSM will request a nurse peer to complete the Peer Evaluation Form.
  4. Unit leaders review applicants and select candidate for unit.
  5. CSM submits final candidate here: https://inside.uams.edu/center-for-nursingexcellence/practice/uams-resource-nurse-program-and-application/.
  6. A selection committee including the Center for Nursing Excellence and the Office of Performance Improvement will review and approve final selections.
  7. The candidate will receive confirmation of program acceptance by email.
  8. Approved candidates are to complete the Resource Nurse Program Compensation Agreement Form.

Time Expectations and Compensation:

  • 9-month commitment beginning July 1, 2024 and ending March 31, 2025
  • Approximately 4 hours per week (minimum of 2 hours per week) as protected time outside of scheduled shifts
    • All program hours will be paid bi-weekly via a clocking exception log
  • A one-time payment of $2,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the outlined requirements as indicated on the Resource Nurse Program Checklist

Resource Nurse Program Requirements

    Education

  1. Complete Participating in Quality Improvement FOCUS PDSA education.
    • One half day in-person sessions.

    2. Huddle Boards and Improvement Huddles

  2. Assist with facilitating the weekly unit Improvement Huddle and updating the Improvement Huddle Board, as needed.
    • RN will facilitate a minimum of one Improvement Huddle per month

    3. Unit Quality Support

  3. Assist in prioritizing unit improvement opportunities with unit leadership.
  4. Perform micro-level PDSA cycles for the identified unit priorities on the Improvement Huddle Board.
    • RN will design and implement at least two PDSA cycles.
  5. Support the sustainability of improvement efforts via championing, coaching, observing, and/or auditing using appropriate tools (audits, chart reviews, daily safety checks, etc.).

    6. Report Outs, Program Updates, Meetings

  6. Present improvement activities to nursing peers and leadership at least once.
  7. Prepare RNP Status Update monthly.
  8. Attend monthly meetings to review milestones and clarify next steps.

Program Forms

Application

    • Self-Evaluation Form
    • Peer Evaluation Form

Acceptance/Agreement

    • Resource Nurse Program Compensation Agreement Form

Bi-weekly Payment for RNP hours

    • Resource Nurse Program Clocking Exception Log

Completion

  • Resource Nurse Program Checklist (including evidence of requirements)

Participants/Eligibility:

  • Clinical RN IIs and RN IIIs who have successfully completed their probationary period are eligible to seek advancement through the Resource Nurse Program.
  • Candidates must complete and remain current for performance standards and have received a score of at least 3 on the previous annual performance appraisal.
  • Candidates must be 0.5 FTE or greater.
  • Candidates at the written stage of the disciplinary process, in the past 12 months, are ineligible to participate in the program. A Resource Nurse who receives a written disciplinary during the rotation may continue the rotation but will not be eligible for renewal.
  • First preference will be given to staff without any existing leader roles (i.e., charge nurses and/or team leads). Charge Nurses and/or Team Leads can be selected as a resource nurse with approval of the unit director.
  • NOTE: Should a Resource Nurse be unable to complete the full program requirements for any reason, including transferring to another unit/department, the Resource Nurse will be considered terminated from the program and will forfeit the one-time payment.

Renewal

  • With limited availability of participation, first preference for Resource Nurse Role will be given to first-time applicants.
  • Renewal of the Resource Nurse role is permitted, with agreement from CSM/CS and Unit Nursing Director, provided that the Resource Nurse is in good standing (successful completion of previous term(s)).

Program Maintain and Revisions

The Center for Nursing Excellence (CNE) and the Office of Performance Improvement oversee and maintain the integrity of the Resource Nurse Program. Evaluation and revision of the program will be conducted as needed by the CNE and the Office of Performance Improvement.