Ambulatory Care Nursing at UCSD Medical Center is made up of a diverse group of Primary Care and Specialty Care Clinics in various geographic locations in San Diego County.
About Ambulatory Care Nursing
Ambulatory Care Nurses treat patients of all ages with acute or chronic illnesses or injuries on an episodic, outpatient basis. The role of the Registered Professional Nurse includes screening, triage, patient education, pain management, case management, discharge planning and other interventions to restore, maintain or promote patients' physical health. This role is one of significant autonomy (Magnet Force #9) yet also important is the collaboration (Magnet Force #13) with different medical teams.
Many of our patients at UCSD have complex medical diagnoses that challenge the staff on a regular basis, with many patients moving through the clinic in a short span of time. Shorter hospital stays and high acuity levels contribute to the complexity of the clinics’ patient population. Ambulatory Care Nurses must quickly assess their patient’s conditions and needs, and ensure the patient and/or family understands their treatment before they go home. Education (Magnet Force #11) is probably one of the most important activities for the nurse in the clinic setting.
Complex medication and treatment regimes require collaboration among all members of the team, with the nurse often acting as the team leader, trouble shooter and problem solver. Flexibility, adaptability, and excellent communication and assessment skills are all desirable traits for a clinic nurse. For those nurses who enjoy working in a fast paced environment with a passion for education, Ambulatory Care may be the ideal career path.
IDEAL CANDIDATES
We require a current California RN license, CPR certification, plus demonstrated nursing clinical skills to quickly and efficiently assess their patient’s condition and their needs, then translate their medical treatment into information the patient can understand and use at home.
SHARED GOVERNANCE
Ambulatory Care Nurses actively participate in many committees: Medical Records Informatics Committee, Ambulatory Care Operations, Electronic Medical Records User Group, Safety, Disaster Planning, Patient Satisfaction, Quality Council and Infection Control.