UAMS Integrated Clinical Enterprise (ICE)

Inpatient Resource Nurse Program

11.2017 TD / 06.2020 RT / 06.2021 LC / 04.2022 LC

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 will be included in the 2023 Inpatient Resource RN Program: E4, F4, H4, E5, E6, F5/H5, F6/A7, H6/A4, E7, F7, H7, F8, H8, F9, H9, ED/CDU, and PRI 5N, PRI 5S, and PRI 6.

RNP Application and Selection Process:

1. CSM and 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. The candidate will receive confirmation of program acceptance by email.
7. Approved candidates complete the Resource Nurse Program Compensation Agreement Form.

Time Expectations and Compensation:

• 9-month commitment beginning July 2022 and ending March 2023
• Approximately 4 hours per week
• All weekly hours will be paid 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

Program Forms

Application

• Self-Evaluation Form
• Peer Evaluation Form
• Acceptance/Agreement
• Resource Nurse Program Compensation Agreement Form
• Weekly Payment
• Resource Nurse Program Clocking Exception Log
• Completion
• Resource Nurse Program Checklist

UAMS Integrated Clinical Enterprise (ICE)
Inpatient Resource Nurse Program
11.2017 TD / 06.2020 RT / 06.2021 LC / 04.2022 LC

Resource Nurse Program Requirements

Education

1. Complete Leading Quality Improvement FOCUS PDSA education.
   • Four four-hour in-person sessions: July 8, 15, 22, and 29.
2. Visual Management Boards and Improvement Huddles
   • Assist with facilitating the weekly unit Improvement Huddle (facilitate a minimum of once per month) and updating the Improvement huddle whiteboard, as needed.
3. Unit Quality Support
4. Assist with the sustainability of quality improvement projects via championing, coaching, observing, and/or auditing using appropriate tools (audits, K-cards, daily safety checks, etc.).
5. Assist with micro-level PDSA cycles for identified unit improvement work (i.e Falls, CAUTI, CLABSI, HAPI, Patient Experience, etc.).
6. Meetings
7. Attend monthly NQUEST meeting.
8. Attend monthly RNP meeting.

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/APP 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 rev