Learn more about the nursing departments and services across Southern New Hampshire Medical Center (SNHMC) by reading below or by downloading the Nursing Department Overview document here!
Nurses in every department share a strong work ethic based in teamwork, respect, and the desire to provide a higher level of culturally competent care to our patients.
Acute Care Inpatient Units
3 East: This 3--bed unit provides outstanding nursing care to our pre- and post-op surgical specialties and diagnoses related to gastroenterology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and other medical conditions. This unit serves predominantly adults, though some older pediatric patients may be admitted to the unit based on their care needs and in consultation with the pediatric medical staff.
3 West: The focus of the 3 West nurse is to provide strong compassionate care to our oncology patients, and to provide specialized care to our bariatric, gastroenterology, urology, vascular, women’s health, and other medical patients in a healing environment. This unit serves predominantly adults, though some older pediatric patients may be admitted to the unit based on their care needs and in consultation with the pediatric medical staff.
4 East: This busy, fast-paced cardiac telemetry unit that includes post-pacemaker placement, cardiac catheterization recovery and critical medication infusions. This unit also provides a high level of care to our respiratory, diabetic, and endocrine disorder patients, as well as those patients with neurological, renal, vascular, infectious disease, and other medical conditions. Our 4 East nurses also support dialysis patients with their pre and post-dialysis care. This unit serves predominantly adults, though some older pediatric patients may be admitted to the unit based on their care needs and in consultation with the pediatric medical staff.
4 West: This cardiac telemetry unit provides care for cardiovascular patients as well as respiratory, diabetic, and endocrine disorder patients and patients with neurological, renal, vascular, infectious disease, and other medical conditions. Our 4 West nurses are also trained to manage our continuous abdominal peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients that live in our community.
ICU: The Intensive Care Unit at SNHH is an 11-bed, adult med/surgical unit with patients recovering from traumas, respiratory diagnoses, post-surgical recovery, neurological disorders, sepsis diagnoses, ARDS, CRRT and IABP. Our ICU nurses prescribe, delegate, coordinate, and evaluate nursing care for patients as part of an interdisciplinary team including physicians, respiratory therapists, RNs, and ancillary staff.
Emergency Department: The Emergency Department of SNHMC provides culturally competent care to the diverse population of Southern New Hampshire with a 30-bed, critical care unit. In addition to supporting the community as a Level III Trauma Center, and Primary Accredited Stroke Facility, the ED has taken proactive steps to provide safe care for patients needing psychiatric care through the implementation of a 6-bed secured intradepartmental unit. We support and take pride in providing numerous educational opportunities for our staff to pursue board certifications and higher education in addition to the advanced technical skills they provide, such as ultrasound-guided IV placement and arterial IV-line management. Our robust staff of nurses, paramedics, LNAs, and Health Unit Coordinators work 12-hour shifts around the clock to provide a continuous higher level of care to our community.
Surgical Services
Operating Room: SNHMC has nine operating room suites, 25 pre-op/PACU bays, and a sterile processing department. Hours are flexible, with 8-, 10-, and 12-hour day shifts available. The OR has a dedicated call team Sunday through Thursday nights beginning at 7PM, making OR call minimal. Services range from elective and non-elective procedures, including neurological, orthopedic, gynecological, urological, bariatric, colorectal, vascular, ENT, general, breast, and plastics. Surgical services are growing and evolving, utilizing the latest technology for the wide variety of procedures we perform. The OR also offers Periop-101 and advancements.
Endoscopy: As a part of SNHMC Surgical Services, the Endoscopy unit has multiple procedure rooms where staff perform between 12-28 outpatient (80%) and inpatient (20%) procedures per day. Procedures include GI, pulmonology, and outpatient bone marrow biopsies, with most patients receiving anesthesia. The team works flexible shifts and take call shifts to provide care on an emergent basis to our community.
Maternal Child Health
Pediatrics: Our 8-bed pediatric unit serves a patient population of newborns and children of all ages with viral and respiratory illnesses, diabetes, and post-operative care. The pediatrics department collaborates with Massachusetts General Hospital for Children pediatric specialists to care for our patients. Pediatrics does accept appropriate adult patients when the need arises.
The Birth Place: The Birth Place is a 19-room labor, delivery, and post-partum department that cares for families and babies throughout their stay at the Medical Center. The Birth Place is staffed 24/7 by Obstetricians and Certified Nurse Midwives.
Special Care Nursery: The Special Care Nursery is a 9-bassinet Level II nursery for babies 32+ weeks, and 1,500 grams. Newborns being treated for respiratory distress, temperature instability, and newborns learning how to feed and grow. We provide Retinopathy of Prematurity screening in collaboration with Boston Children’s Hospital. We collaborate and consult with the Massachusetts General Hospital NICU.
Resource RNs: Our Resource Nurse is the frontline of our Inpatient leadership team having direct oversight of the operational flow of the unit. The Resource RN develops staff patient assignments based on staff competency, patient acuity and volume and acts as a role model and resource for the team. This nurse works directly with the Clinical Nurse Manager to oversee the coordination of patient care activities and overall staffing plan to maintain patient safety.
Patient Care Support Teams
UBPC: The purpose of the unit-based practice committees is to engage clinical staff in shared governance with the goal of improved patient centered care and the practice environment through application of the Professional Practice Model. This committee initiates and facilitates unit-based change by utilizing evidence-based resources, applying research and conducting quality and research projects. The committee defines, implements and maintains unit-based practice guidelines consistent with national standards of practice
RRT: The Rapid Response Team (RRT), comprised of an ICU Nurse and a Respiratory Therapist, brings critical care expertise to the beside when patients show signs and or symptoms of clinical deterioration The RRT nurse collaborates with the staff to assess the patient, identify the problem, and advocate for interventions and resources. The RRT nurse implements measures to stabilize the patient and organize information to be communicated to the patient’s provider.
Transport: The transport team, comprised of supportive staff, move patients in a timely and safe manner within the hospital. This program allows license nursing personnel to remain at the patient bedside to provide care and supports the efficient use of testing services and patient throughput.
IV Resource Department: The IV team, comprised of a highly trained group of nurses, complete patient assessment, care planning, outcome evaluation and re-evaluation of the vascular needs of inpatients and outpatients. This department is also highly engaged in training, skill development, and education regarding a wide variety of vascular access devices.
24 Hour Supervisor Coverage: House Supervisors serve as a clinical consultant, resource manager, management mentor, and clinical educator for staff who care for patients of all ages. The House Supervisor coordinates efforts with other members of the interdisciplinary team to control patient traffic, gather and use information about patient conditions, bed availability and other resources to determine the optimal patient placement. The House Supervisor provides oversight for staffing changes in clinical areas on a daily basis. This role acts as hospital administrator on evening, night and weekend shifts