Section 1300.APPENDIX B   Minimal Assignment List for Registered Professional Nurses

The minimal assignments for registered professional nurses taking remedial education in accordance with Sections 1300.35 and 1300.41 are as follows:

a)         For all clients

Review chart, interview patient, and develop nursing care plan utilizing acuity assessment and nursing diagnosis.  Document the administration of medication (explaining intended effects, side effects, and potential interactions). Give total patient care within educational competencies under the supervision of a registered nurse preceptor.

b)         Day l

Orientation to hospital and unit, interview patient, review documentation, observe and discuss administration of medication methods and crash cart procedures.  Analyze roles and identify nursing diagnoses.

c)         Day 2

Provide care for two medical/surgical or orthopedic patients, focusing the care plan on developmental stage, stress and coping, and documentation. Identify and analyze strategies for own coping.

d)         Day 3

Apply nursing process and develop nursing care plans for two patients with neurological or rehabilitative problems.

e)         Day 4

Develop nursing care plans utilizing the nursing process for two patients needing care of catheters and measurement of output with corresponding documentation.  Analyze fluid and electrolyte problems, explain significance of laboratory data, analyze status, apply nursing diagnosis, and document appropriately.

f)          Day 5

Develop nursing care plans and provide care for three patients with diabetes mellitus or endocrine problems.  Analyze nursing process and apply nursing diagnoses for these clients.

g)         Day 6

Provide nursing care for two or three adults or children with cardiac and/or respiratory problems.

h)         Day 7

Provide care to preoperative and postoperative patients, admissions and discharges.

i)          Day 8

Provide care for three clients with mobility and diversionary needs.

j)          Day 9-12

Perform delegation of procedures and/or tasks with a registered nurse preceptor present on unit (day or evening) shift.  Prepare a self-evaluation and preceptor evaluation to determine successful completion of the clinical component.

k)         Day 13

1)         Conference with preceptor for discussion of self-evaluation and determining successful completion of the clinical component.  The nurse taking the remedial education course shall take or be scheduled to take a test on the Act and this Part.

2)         The preceptor will notify the Division of the nurse's successful completion of the remedial education.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 8582, effective April 21, 2006)