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Inside scoop from our experts: RN job descriptions: Make them accurate and relevant

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, September 16, 2008

This week, a reader asks what the best resources are for making sure RN job descriptions are accurate and relevant. Read the response from our advisor Meryl Montgomery, MSN RN, ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® director and director for the learning center at The Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, GA.

Q: What are the best resources for making sure RN job descriptions are accurate and relevant?

A: When we recently revised our nursing job descriptions, our primary evidence-based sources were the American Nurses Association Professional Standards for Nursing Practice, our state practice act, The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO), and the Magnet Recognition Program® standards. In addition, we interviewed RNs and had multiple readers to assure the job descriptions were relevant, accurate, and representative.

We developed standardized job descriptions for key categories such as RN, LPN, clinical technician, nursing director, medical receptionist, etc. Each department at the medical center also developed a set of criteria and competencies required to care for the patient population specific to the job/unit. The departments utilized professional organizations, such as American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, and Emergency Nurses Association, to create the criteria and competencies.

Editor’s note: Do you have a question for our experts? If you'd like us to consider your query for publication, please send it to associate editor Cameran Erny at cerny@hcpro.com.

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