PROFILE

The Emergency Department is a Level I Adult, Pediatric and Burn Trauma Center. It has a total of 48 beds and 14 observation beds and is divided into 7 separate areas, including pediatric and psychiatric and observation areas. We treat over 78,000 patients/year of all specialty services at MGH.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Nursing Director
Maryfran McGonagle Hughes, RN 

• Judy Pines
• Dan Gordon

• Catherine Harris, RN
• Joyce McIntyre, RN

Providing a positive and supportive experience for patients and families is critical to our practice. Staff nurses actively participate in a variety of committees to enhance our practice on an ongoing basis. In addition to the PCS Collaborative Governance Committees, the staff also participate in unit based committees. Some of these committees include ED Ethics Forum, Forensics Committee, ED Operations Committee & the Palliative Care Committee. Each cluster, or area of the ED, also has its own cluster committee that work towards operational improvements within their respective areas.

PATIENT CARE DELIVERY MODEL

The patient care delivery model is a patient-focused model, supported by primary nursing. Patient-focused care is high quality, comprehensive, accessible, supportive and personalized care. For available positions on this unit please visit our website at www.mghcareers.org.

TEAM MEMBERS

Patient care associates support the RN staff. The support staff consists of unit coordinators, operations associates, unit service associates, technical support associates, patient transporters, materials management associates, orthopedic technicians, and a unit based pharmacist. The Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Specialists, Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialists and Nursing Director support the clinical nurses in their practice.

SCHEDULING PRACTICES

Staff schedules are driven by patient need. The scheduling process is staff driven and flexible to accommodate personal and educational needs. Once the schedule is posted, the staff manages changes.

STAFF ORIENTATION

All staff attends a one week nursing orientation program. Unit orientation is preceptor based, individualized and determined by the Nursing Director, clinical nurse specialist and the new employee. The length of orientation is also individually determined. There is an Emergency Department Transition Group for new staff to support and assist in transitioning to the ED practice environment.

EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Staff education and development is supported by The Norman Knight Nursing Center for Clinical & Professional Development. Full and partial day programs are offered. Staff may also access outside educational opportunities. The teaching environment provides staff with a daily opportunity to discuss patient care related educational issues with members of the graduate medical education program and with other members of the care-delivery team.

Clinical Nurse Specialists provide educational support to staff on the nursing units. Staff has time allocated and the necessary support to offer educational programs to other staff members. Nursing Grand Rounds programs are offered on a regular basis.

Staff RNs have the opportunity to participate as a nurse preceptor. RNs may advance in their clinical practice and demonstrate proficiency through the Clinical Recognition Program. The Emergency Department offers staff many educational opportunities throughout the year to develop the practice of emergency nursing. These programs include TNCC, ENPC, ACLS and PALS. We also offer Emergency Department nursing rounds and Case Presentation rounds.