Nursing Care And Its Importance

By Author: Sunaina Singh
Total Articles: 2
Comment this article

Nurses play a crucial role in the provision of patient care. They encompass the management of physical needs, treatment, and prevention of illnesses. As members of the medical team, nurses have diverse skills and a range of responsibilities. These responsibilities differ for each patient. Before proceeding to take nursing care is beneficial to know the importance of this profession.

This article aims to outline some common certifications held by nurses. It further explores various work settings for nurses and delves into the importance of nursing care.

Definition of a Nurse

A nurse is a healthcare professional responsible for general patient care and triage. Nurses team up with medical experts, including physicians and other healthcare specialists. Nurses can work in diverse setups, like hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, and schools. Nurses also aid in homeless shelters, rehabilitation & correctional facilities and senior care homes.

Different Nurse Certifications
Nurses may hold different levels of certification, including:
Registered nurse (RN):
These nurses provide hands-on ...
... care for patients, assisting doctors and other medical professionals. They also manage and maintain medical records.

Nurse practitioner (NP):
The small ailments and injuries that these nurses identify and treat. For their patients, they might also prescribe drugs.

Certified nurse midwife (CNM):
These nurses offer gynecological and obstetrics services to women. They work in hospitals, birthing clinics, or private residences.

Clinical nurse specialist (CNS):
Nurses in this role can treat both mental and physical conditions. They have the authority to work in clinics, hospitals, senior care homes, community health centers, or independent practices.

Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA):
These nurses administer sedation treatments to patients to relieve pain or prepare them for surgery.

13 Essential Responsibilities of Nurses:
The responsibilities of nurses can vary based on their work settings, obtained licenses, and level of experience.

Below are 13 common tasks for which nurses are responsible:
Documenting medical history and symptoms:
Nurses record and maintain accurate documentation of patients' health, ensuring appropriate treatment. This includes gathering information and updating medical history, diagnoses, medications, allergies, and family medical background.

Administering medications and treatments:
Most nurses can administer medications and treatments to patients based on physician orders. They may also contribute to treatment planning.
Specialized nurses, like nurse practitioners, may prescribe medications without a doctor's approval. Tasks may include wound cleaning, bandage changes, and catheter insertions. Nurses may assist with advanced procedures or provide emergency care to critical patients.

Collaborating with healthcare teams:
Nurses play a crucial role in gathering patient information. They communicate it to the rest of the medical team. Working with doctors and other healthcare providers requires excellent verbal and written communication. Clear communication helps patients and their families understand the information they receive.

Performing diagnostic tests:
Nurses may perform various diagnostic tests. These include vital sign monitoring and sample collection for analysis (e.g., blood, tissue, urine, stool). Attention to detail is crucial to administer tests and providing results to the medical team.

Conducting physical examinations:
Nurses often perform physical examinations to assess patients' health. This includes taking temperature, recording weight, monitoring pulse and BP, and testing reflexes. They also check lymph nodes and examine the eyes, ears, nose, and throat. Physical examinations offer updated health status. There is also an opportunity for patients to discuss health goals and concerns.

Monitoring patients' health:
Nurses carefully observe and track patients, documenting symptoms and relevant information. They ensure accurate medication lists and maintenance of intravenous (IV) lines. Monitoring vitals and paying attention to nonverbal cues aid in identifying hidden health issues.

Providing support and advice to patients:
Nurses offer emotional support, guidance, and advice to patients. They help especially when delivering challenging medical news. They provide comfort, coping strategies, and information on inpatient and outpatient resources.
Operating medical equipment:
Nurses are trained to use diagnostic tools. These include stethoscopes, glucometers, pulse oximeters, thermometers, and blood pressure machines. Depending on their work settings and licenses, nurses may operate specialized equipment. For example, intravenous infusion pumps, ventilation devices, and wound drainage systems.

Educating patients about illness management:
Nurses educate patients on medical conditions, providing clear instructions on symptom management. This includes explaining medication regimens and scheduling follow-up appointments. They even provide guidance on rehabilitative exercises. Nurses may also educate patients' families or caregivers about post-treatment homes. The instructions are about care, diet, nutrition, exercise, and physical therapy. They may engage in proactive community education activities related to common diseases.

Advocating for patients' health and well-being:
Nurses act as advocates for patients' health and safety. This involves translating medical information and ensuring patient comprehension. They also encourage questions and connect patients with suitable resources. Active listening, respect for patients' wishes, and effective communication are integral to patient advocacy.

Providing basic bedside care:
Nurses attend to various basic bedside care tasks. For example, assisting with bathing, toileting, hygiene-related activities, and emotional support. They administer medications and monitor vital signs.

Training and educating staff:
Experienced nurses may train and supervise newer members of the medical team. They include practical nurses and nurses' aides. They may also collaborate with nursing students. Experienced nurses offer training courses or continuing education programs for career advancement.

Maintaining inventory:
Tenured nurses may undertake additional responsibilities, such as inventory management and supply ordering. They ensure proper organization and restocking of supplies. This guarantees the availability of resources needed for quality patient care.
Remember, these responsibilities are not exhaustive. They may differ based on individual circumstances, work settings, and regional regulations.

Conclusion
These are only a few of the factors that show how crucial role nurses play in our society. The heroes of healthcare today are the nurses. The scope of the nursing profession is rapidly expanding and changing. Nurses are taking on a growing number of essential tasks. A doctor treats a patient, and a nurse makes sure that the doctor's efforts are not in vain. Nursing care makes sure that the patient is on the road to recovery.
For more details refer to: https://senocare.in/nursing-care/