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RN - Medical - Surgical

This checklist was electronically signed on September 12, 2026

Instructions: This checklist is meant to serve as a general guideline for our client facilities as to the level of your skills within your nursing specialty. Please use the scale below to describe your experience/expertise in each area listed below.

Proficiency Scale:

1 = No Experience

2 = Need Training

3 = Able to perform with supervision

4 = Able to perform independently

PATIENT RIGHTS

Communicate and obtain information while respecting patient rights, privacy, and confidentiality of information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
Involve the patient and family and respect their role in determining the nature of care to be provided
Meet patient's and families' needs regarding communication, including interpreter services
Provide accurate information to patients and families in a timely manner

COMMUNICATION

Communicate with patients and their companions in a courteous manner
Understand the chain of communication, who to contact, and when
Listen actively to patient concerns and address them appropriately.
Cultural Sensitivity and Language Skills

GENERAL INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES

Aseptic Technique
Standard Precaution
Universal Precaution

TRANSMISSION-BASED PROTOCOL

Airborne Precaution
Contact Precaution
Droplet Precaution
Reverse Precaution

NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Cranial Nerves
Glasgow Coma Scale
Level of Consciousness
Reflex/Motor Deficits
Visual or Communication Deficits

NEUROLOGICAL EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Assist with Lumbar Puncture
Intracranial Pressure Monitoring
Seizure Precautions
Spinal Precautions
Use of Hyper/Hypothermia Blanket

CARE OF PATIENT WITH NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

Aneurysm Precautions
Basal Skull Fracture
Closed Head Injury
Coma
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
Delirium Tremens (DTs)
Encephalitis
Increased ICP
Meningitis
Post Craniotomy
Spinal Cord Injury

PULMONARY ASSESSMENT

Breath Sounds
Rate and Work of Breathing

INTERPRETATION OF PULMONARY LABORATORY RESULTS

Blood Chemistry
Arterial Blood Gasses

PULMONARY EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Endotracheal Tube/Suctioning
Nasal Airway/Suctioning
Oropharyngeal/Suctioning
Tracheostomy/Suctioning
Sputum Specimen Collection
Assist with Intubation
Assist with Thoracentesis
Assist with Set up and Insertion of Chest Tube
Measuring and Emptying Chest Tube
Removal of Chest Tube
Chest physiotherapy
Incentive Spirometry
Ambu Bag and Mask
External CPAP
Assist with Extubation

CARE OF PATIENT WITH PULMONARY DISEASE

Acute Pneumonia
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patient on Mechanical Ventilator
Pulmonary Edema/Hypertension
Pulmonary Embolism
Status Asthmaticus
Tuberculosis

CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT

Auscultation (Rate, Rhythm)
Blood Pressure/Non-Invasive
Doppler
Heart Sounds/Murmurs
Pulses/Circulation Checks

CARDIOVASCULAR EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Basic 12 Lead Interpretation
Basic Arrhythmia Interpretation
Lead Placement
Permanent Pacemaker
Temporary Pacemaker

CARE OF PATIENT WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Abdominal Aortic Bypass
Aneurysm
Angina
Cardiomyopathy
Carotid Endarterectomy
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Femoral-Popliteal Bypass
Myocarditis
Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction (24-48 hours)
Pre/Post Angioplasty
Pre/Post Cardiac Catheter
Post Cardiac Surgery
Thrombophlebitis
Drug Overdose/Delirium Tremens (DTs)
Heart Transplant
Delirium Tremens

GASTROINTESTINAL ASSESSMENT

Abdominal/Bowel Sounds
Nutritional
Fluid balance

INTERPRETATION OF GASTROINTESTINAL LABORATORY RESULTS

Serum Ammonia
Serum Amylase
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

GASTROINTESTINAL EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Administration of Tube Feeding
Feeding Pump
Management of Gastrostomy Tube
Management of Jejunostomy Tube
T-Tube
TPN and Lipids Administration
Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition (PPN)
Placement of Nasogastric Tube
Salem Sump to Suction

CARE OF PATIENT WITH GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASE

Bowel Obstruction
Colostomy/Ileostomy
GI Bleeding
GI Surgery
Hepatitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Liver Failure
Paralytic Ileus

RENAL/GENITOURINARY ASSESSMENT

Arteriovenous Fistula/Shunt
Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance

INTERPRETATION OF RENAL/GENITOURINARY LABORATORY RESULTS

BUN and Creatinine
Serum Electrolytes

RENAL/GENITOURINARY EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Bladder Irrigation
Insertion and Care of 3-way Foley - Female
Insertion and Care of 3-way Foley - Male
Routine Specimen Collection
24-hour Specimen Collection

CARE OF PATIENT WITH RENAL/GENITOURINARY DISEASE

Hemodialysis
Nephrectomy
Peritoneal Dialysis
Renal failure
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
Urinary Tract Infection

ENDOCRINE/METABOLIC ASSESSMENT

Signs and symptoms of Diabetic Coma
Signs and symptoms of Insulin Reaction

ENDOCRINE/METABOLIC EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Blood Glucose Measuring
Performing Finger Stick

CARE OF PATIENT WITH ENDOCRINE/METABOLIC DISEASE

Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Disorders of Adrenal Gland (e.g., Addison's disease)
Disorders of Pituitary Gland (e.g., Diabetes Insipidus)
Drug Overdose
Hyperthyroidism (Grave's Disease)
Hypothyroidism
Insulin Shock

ORTHOPEDIC ASSESSMENT

Circulation checks
Gait
Range of motion
Skin

ORTHOPEDIC EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Continuous Passive Motion Devices
Cane
Cervical Collar
Gait Belt
Prosthetic
Transfer Boards
Walker

WOUND ASSESSMENT

Skin for Impending Breakdown
Stasis Ulcers
Surgical Wound Healing

WOUND EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Application of Steristrips
Air Fluidized, Low Air Loss Beds
Sterile Dressing Changes
Wound Care/Irrigations

CARE OF PATIENT WITH WOUND

Pressure Sores
Staged Decubitus Ulcers
Surgical Wounds with Drain(s)
Traumatic Wounds

INTERPRETATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE LABORATORY RESULTS

CBC
SMA7

INFECTIOUS DISEASES EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Fever Management
Isolation

CARE OF PATIENTS WITH INFECTIOUS DISEASES

HIV/AIDS

PHLEBOTOMY/IV THERAPY EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

Autotransfusion
Administration of Cryoprecipitate
Administration of Packed Red Blood Cells
Administration of Plasma/Albumin
Administration of Whole Blood
Drawing Venous Blood
Starting Angiocath IVs
Starting Butterfly IVs
Starting Heparin Lock

CARE OF PATIENT WITH IVs

Angiography
Broviac/Hickman
Groshong
PICC Line
Pericardiocentesis

PAIN ASSESSMENT

Pain Level/Tolerance

CARE OF PATIENTS WITH PAIN

Epidural Anesthesia/Analgesia
IV Conscious Sedation
Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA pump)

CARE OF PATIENTS WITH TRAUMA/SHOCK

Dehydration
Electrocution
Gunshot/Stab Wound
Hazardous Material Exposure
Radiation Exposure
Anaphylactic Shock
Cardiogenic Shock
Hypovolemic Shock
Neurogenic Shock
Septic Shock
Burns: Rule of Nines
First Degree Burn
Second Degree Burn
Third Degree Burn

MISCELLANEOUS

Suicide Precautions
Disaster protocols
Charge experience

MEDICATIONS

Anti-Infectives
Anti-Inflammatory/Analgesic Drugs
Antianginal
Antiarrhythmic Drugs
Anticholinergic
Anticoagulants/Thrombolytics
Antidiabetic Drugs
Antihyperlipidemic Drugs
Antihypertensive
CNS Stimulants
Diuretics
Electrolyte Therapy
Gastrointestinal Drugs
Hormones
Mental Health Medications
Muscle Relaxants
Narcotics/Opioids
Neurocognitive Drugs
Ophthalmic
Pulmonary Drugs
Steroids
Vaccines

AUTOMATED MEDICATION DISPENSING SYSTEMS

Accudose
Metro
Omnicell
Promanager Rx
Pyxis
eMAR

ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION

Allscripts
Care360
Cerner (Oracle)
CPSI
eCLinicalWorks
Eclipsys
EPIC
MACLAB
McKesson/Paragon
Meditech
PACS
Quadramed
Soarian
Allscripts
Care360
Cerner (Oracle)
CPSI
eCLinicalWorks
Eclipsys
EPIC
MACLAB
McKesson/Paragon
Meditech
PACS
Quadramed
Soarian

AGE-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Newborn/Neonate (birth-30 days)
Infant (30 days-1 year)
Toddler (1-3 years)
Preschooler (3-5 years)
School-age children (5-12 years)
Adolescents (12-18 years)
Young adults (18- 39 years)
Middle adults (39- 64 years)
Older adults (64-79 years)
Elderly adults (80+ years)