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Basic description
Rapid response nurses are part of an expert clinical team in the acute care area, whose main goal is to prevent deaths and arrest hemodynamic decline in patients outside of intensive care units. They are experts in assessment and have clinical skills in implementing early interventions to prevent cardiopulmonary arrest.
Educational requirements
Registered nurse preparation, Basic Life Support certification, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are required.
Core competencies/skills needed
■ Excellent assessment and critical thinking skills
■ Excellent clinical skills such as initiating intravenous access, defibrillation, and suctioning
■ Ability to work in a highly dynamic environment and to quickly respond to urgent calls anywhere in the acute care facility
■ Excellent communication skills while working with other members of the rapid response team
Related Web site and professional organization
■ Institute for Healthcare Improvement (http://www.ihi.org/Pages/default.aspx)