Roles of a Nurse: What Do Nurses Do in Medicine
Nurses are often considered to be the backbone of the healthcare system- and for good reason! Nurses serve their communities in a number of ways, from promoting preventive healthcare to boosting the morale of patients who need it most.
The roles of nurses have changed exponentially over the years. Historically serving mainly as comforters and caregivers, nurses have evolved into irreplaceable medical professionals who are present in any number of medical settings. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us not to take nurses for granted.
Nursing is a difficult but rewarding job. Being the backbone of the medical industry is not for the faint of heart! Nurses shoulder a huge number of responsibilities, including caring for patients, communicating with patients and doctors, and generally being familiar with the ins and outs of the complex healthcare system. Is it any wonder that nurses are so highly in demand?
Many people dream of a career in nursing. It is truly the ideal career for those who are caring, compassionate, empathetic and level-headed.
We all know the undeniable importance of nurses- but what, precisely, do they do? Let’s look at the roles of modern nurses and why they’re so significant.
The daily duties of a nurse will depend on their area of specialty. Those studying nursing can choose from a smorgasbord of specialty areas including aged care, midwifery and surgical nursing. Their area of specialty will determine what their day-to-day roles and responsibilities will be. But, in general, the roles of nurses in the community are as follows.
Patient Advocacy
Nursing is about much more than giving shots and taking temperatures. Nurses provide emotional support to patients while making sure that their physical, mental, spiritual and cultural needs and wants are taken into account.
In addition to explaining procedures to patients, nurses ensure that patients have autonomy when it comes to their care. Additionally, a nurse protects the medical, legal and human rights of all patients, often acting as their voice and protector when the patient is unable to speak for themselves.
Representing the best interest of a patient is a highly important role in nursing. Advocating for vulnerable people when they need it most is a responsibility that is not to be taken lightly. Straight A nursing includes considering all aspects when administering or assisting in patient care.
Patient Care
Caring for patients physically and emotionally is perhaps the most important role of a nurse. Nurses may perform simple or complex patient procedures, including immunisation, catheterisation or checking vital signs. These procedures may be routine for experienced nurses but can be new and overwhelming for the patient, so an empathetic nurse takes time to explain and reassure patients.
Patient care extends to monitoring and record keeping, so another role for a nurse is observation. Recording truthful and relevant information and keeping a detailed medical history for patients is an essential part of making decisions for patients.
Caring for and nurturing patients can be one of the most rewarding aspects of nursing. The hospital can be a scary and uncomfortable place! Nurses are there to comfort and cheer up patients while ensuring they are comfortable and satisfied. This can include physical care such as changing bandages, bathing, and making sure patients have a clean comfortable bed and other gestures like reading to patients, boosting their morale and treating them with dignity and respect.
The care you give your patients will depend on your nursing specialty and place of work. If you work in geriatric care, you may be working in a nursing home or in patients' personal homes, helping them maintain independence, social interaction and fulfilment. Working in neonatal nursing may mean caring for tiny fragile patients and supporting their parents and families, while obstetric nurses provide postnatal care, lactation consultancy and may assist with birth and baby care. Working on an oncology ward may mean comforting patients through painful procedures and cheering them up when they need it most, while working as a surgical nurse may involve advocating for patients before, during and after surgery and providing post-op care.
Patient Education and Support
Being a patient can be a little intimidating. Nurses are there to ensure that patients understand and comprehend all angles of their health and treatment, including when patients are discharged and have to be responsible for caring for themselves at home.
Nurses take time to explain illness and treatment to the patient in terms they can understand, making sure they know what they can and cannot do and why. Patients should be discharged knowing what to expect, any follow-up appointments they need to attend and where to contact if they need additional support or advice.
Coordinating Care
Nurses have multifaceted roles. They don’t just deal with patients, they also work alongside doctors, specialists and other medical professionals.
Nurses are often a patient's first point of contact in a hospital setting. The nurse has the responsibility of identifying emergencies and severe issues in patients that are not within their realm of expertise and contacting a doctor or specialist to address the problem.
A nurse is directly involved in the decision-making process for a patient's treatment in collaboration with the patient, their loved ones, and any relevant medical professionals. Nurses tend to be familiar with their patients, often more familiar than the doctor themselves. This is why it is essential that they are accurate and consistent in their monitoring of patients.
Patients can have complex health needs that require a number of different specialists to be involved with their care. Nurses coordinate care and facilitate communication between the medical professionals involved in a particular patient's care while supporting the patient as they navigate the complicated world of healthcare.
Staying Current
Healthcare is constantly evolving. As medical science becomes more advanced and new research emerges, nurses must be aware of changes in medication, treatment plans and healthcare options.
Nurses have a responsibility to their patients and to the community as a whole. Promoting health and wellbeing is a big job, and nurses must know that the information they are giving the general public is accurate and up-to-date. Staying on top of current medical science and research is one of a nurse's many roles and responsibilities.
