$27.68 per hour
Currently enrolled in an approved RN or RPN program
Not required
Undergraduate nurse employees (UNEs) provide patient care under the supervision of registered nurses (RN) or registered psychiatric nurses (RPN). Their goal is to further develop competency in the RN or RPN practices. UNEs play a role in the assessment and care of patients. They collect and analyze the patients’ health histories and their psychosocial and physical examination data. Next, UNEs help to identify the priorities for care and to plan the nursing interventions. They implement the plan of care and adjust it appropriately as the patients’ needs change. UNEs are also responsible for educating patients. An important part of the UNE’s role is to observe the patients’ response to the nursing interventions. Working with interprofessional teams, which may include doctors, therapists and other nurses, the UNE contributes to any revisions to the plan of care. In all stages, UNEs are responsible for documenting any assessments, decisions, observations and revisions.
Undergraduate nurses are employed at a number of different facilities including hospitals, community clinics and continuing care facilities. They work as casual employees. Shift schedules may include a combination of day, evening, night (select centers only), weekend and holiday shifts.
Undergraduate nurses spend much of their time in direct contact with patients and other health-care professionals. They stand and walk for the majority of their shifts. They may also be required to help lift, turn and transfer patients. Undergraduate nurses also frequently help transport patients on wheelchairs or beds. During the course of their work, they may be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, infectious diseases, chemicals and other safety hazards, as is the case in many health care positions.
