Last Updated on February 21, 2023 by Dr Bucho
Overview
Responsibilities of nurses: Nursing is a demanding yet satisfying career that calls for commitment, compassion, and attention to detail. Nurses are in charge of making sure patients receive the best care possible and speaking out for their health and well-being. The nursing profession is a vital and honorable one that is essential to healthcare. Nurses are the foundation of every healthcare system, and they are responsible for everything from managing medical facilities to caring for patients.
In-depth information about the duties and importance of nurses in the medical industry is provided in this article. The history of nursing, the numerous professions in which nurses work, the various certification levels, and the 10 fundamental duties of nurses will all be covered in this article.
Who is a Nurse?
A nurse is a healthcare professional who provides medical care and support to patients. They work under the supervision of physicians and other medical professionals and often serve as the primary point of contact for patients during their hospital stays. and educate the patient and the attendees about the illness and related procedures.
History
The history of nursing is extensive and goes back thousands of years. Early civilizations like ancient Greece and Rome show signs of nursing. Florence Nightingale founded the first contemporary nursing school and elevated nursing to a respected profession during the American Civil War. Today, nurses still play a crucial part in the healthcare sector by daily caring for and supporting patients. Britannica
Importance Of The Nurses In the Hospitals and other Fields
Nurses are essential to hospitals and other settings where they work. A crucial part of the healthcare system is nurses. They are in charge of making sure patients receive the finest care possible and speaking out for their health and well-being. In addition to hospitals and long-term care institutions, nurses also work in clinics, schools, and doctor’s offices. Additionally, some nurses opt to work in specialty fields like pediatrics, oncology, or geriatrics.
Certification Levels of Nurses
- Registered nurses (RNs): Help doctors and other healthcare providers by directly caring for patients. Medical records are also managed and kept up by them.
- Nurse practitioner (NP): In this position, nurses frequently identify and handle minor illnesses and wounds. Additionally, they might write prescriptions for their patients.
- These nurses, known as certified nurse midwives (CNM), offer gynecological and obstetric care to women. They might work in private homes, birthing centers, or hospitals.
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS): In this position, nurses can administer care for both physical and mental illnesses. They frequently work in independent practices, community health centers, senior living facilities, clinics, and hospitals.
- Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs): These nurses give patients sedative medications to reduce pain or prepare for surgery.
7 essential responsibilities for nurses
1. Patient Assessment
Conducting a thorough evaluation of the patient’s condition is one of a nurse’s main duties. Vital signs, a medical history, and a physical exam are all part of this process. The outcomes of this evaluation assist the nurse in determining the patient’s needs and the best course of action for their care.
2. Medication Administration
Nurses are in charge of giving patients the medication they need according to a doctor’s prescription. Additionally, they must keep an eye out for any negative drug reactions in patients and change dosages as appropriate.
3. Recording Medical History and Symptoms of Patient
Keeping accurate records of their patient’s medical histories and symptoms is the nurse’s responsibility in order to guarantee that they receive the right care. They gather data on present drugs, past diagnoses, allergies, and pertinent family medical data. A nurse may be in charge of updating the patient’s medical record in the event that they are given a new diagnosis, prescription, or treatment regimen.
4. Team Working Through Good Good Communication Skills
In Working with Teams to Provide Patient Care, Nurses play a key role in gathering data from patients and communicating it to the rest of their medical team. To work effectively with doctors and other healthcare professionals, they need to have great oral and written, communication skills.
5. Patient Education
Nurses are in charge of informing patients and their families about their medical conditions, treatments, and care schedules. This promotes patient participation in their own care by assisting individuals in understanding their current health status.
6. Documenting Patient Information
Nurses are required to maintain accurate and current records of their patient’s medical histories, prescriptions, vital signs, and other pertinent data. The medical staff makes decisions regarding the patient’s care based on this information and uses it to monitor the patient’s progress.
7. Performing Diagnostic Tests
A wide range of diagnostic procedures may be carried out by nurses, including assessing vital signs and obtaining tissue, blood, stool, or urine samples for testing. To guarantee that the exams are properly conducted and the findings are accurately analyzed, Nurses must pay special attention to detail.
8. Pain Management
Nurses are essential in helping patients manage their discomfort. They perform a pain assessment on patients, give prescribed medicine, and treat pain with non-pharmacologic methods like positioning and relaxation techniques.
9. Emergency Response
Nurses need to be ready to respond to emergencies and offer their patients timely care. They must be capable of reacting swiftly and efficiently in an emergency situation and have a basic understanding of emergency protocols and life support techniques.
10. Keeping Up with Health News and Breakthroughs
Nurses need to stay on top of the most recent health news and advancements as well as new developments in the healthcare fieldThey can achieve this through enrolling in online education courses, taking continuing education classes, and reading nursing journals and magazines.
Nursing is a challenging and rewarding career that requires dedication, compassion, and a strong commitment to providing quality care to patients. The ten essential responsibilities of nurses listed above highlight the critical role that nurses play in the healthcare industry and the important impact they have on the lives of patients. If you are interested in pursuing a career in nursing, there are many scholarships and exam preparation programs available to help you achieve your goals. Discover more about the exciting and fulfilling career of nursing today.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
What is the role of the nurse?
The foundation of any healthcare system is its nursing staff, who are important in providing patients with compassionate, high-quality care. They are in charge of ensuring patients’ well-being and that they receive the finest care available. They have the responsibility of taking care of the patient’s physical needs, avoiding illness, and treating medical disorders.
what are the main 5 fields of a Nurse?
Nurses work In hospitals and long-term care institutions, nurses also work in clinics, schools, and doctor’s offices. Additionally, some nurses opt to work in specialty fields like pediatrics, oncology, or geriatrics.
What is future after BSC nursing?
Students can decide whether to pursue additional study or a career. After passing this course, you can work as a teacher, a nursing assistant or supervisor, or in the Indian government, among other professions.