Are you considering a career as a nurse? Maybe you are curious as to why you should pursue this path. Alternatively, you may simply be wondering what exactly it is that nurses do in our healthcare system. If so, this article is for you. The nursing profession is often not given the appreciation it deserves. Most people do not realize the value of nurses until they need their services. Nurses are a fundamental part of the healthcare system and play a critical role in patient care.
The nursing profession is the foundation of the US healthcare system. Their duties as patient advocates and professional caregivers are of great value in satisfying the increasing demands on healthcare.Nurses have become an increasingly important part of the healthcare sector in modern times. They are responsible for a wide range of duties in patient care, from providing direct medical treatment to offering emotional support to patients and their families.
Programs such as the University of Indianapolis offer online MSN programs that prepare nurses to play a vital role in the care and treatment of patients in a variety of settings. With 100% online coursework, programs such as this one are ideal for working nurses who are looking to advance their careers.
Here are more roles that nurses play:
Nurses devote a considerable amount of their time to patients
If you recall a recent doctor’s visit, after signing in at the reception area, it is likely that a nurse was the first person you encountered. They may have asked about your health and taken your vitals while engaging in what may have seemed like casual conversation. The purpose of this conversation was not merely to make you feel more relaxed or to fill an awkward silence.
Nurses with experience understand that dedicating the necessary time to become acquainted with a patient can be extremely beneficial in uncovering crucial health details that the individual may not have otherwise divulged. After the physician saw you, the nurse may have returned to discuss any medicines prescribed by the doctor and to check if you had any more queries.
A recent study found that when intensive care patients spent time with a healthcare practitioner, 86% of that time was with nurses rather than physicians. In addition, overnight hospital stays resulted in even more time spent with nurses.
Nurses are patient advocates
Nurses play a variety of advocacy roles. For instance, when speaking with a patient’s relative, a nurse may discover a significant detail that had not been noted in the patient’s medical history, which they can then communicate to the healthcare staff. In addition, if a nurse suspects that a certain medication isn’t working as it should, they can contact the pharmacist to discuss the issue. Aiding a patient could involve assisting with organizing their care with another health care professional or ensuring they have provided full authorization prior to receiving treatment.
Public health education
The healthcare industry in the United States is facing a problem with the amount of knowledge about health in the country’s population. Physicians in the medical field can have a difficult time explaining conditions and treatments to patients due to the complexity of the medical language used. Additionally, some individuals may feel uncomfortable or unsure of what to inquire about when conversing with healthcare professionals.
Nurses invest a great deal of effort and energy into educating their patients on health and preventive care. This could involve making them aware of a certain procedure or treatment, providing details on medications and potential side effects, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating habits and good hygiene, or providing information about how a clinic runs, particularly in the case of long-term care.
Monitor and record patients’ health
When discussing the role of nurses in today’s healthcare system, it is important to note the importance of patients’ care and its documentation. Although other medical personnel and physicians also check on patients, nurses vigilantly watch over them day after day and keep their records up-to-date.
When checking up on patients, nurses document numerous details, such as vital signs, what prompted the visit, the probability of the patient falling — known as a “fall risk score,” and current medications. They sum up their observations, update the patient’s medical history and take care of the invoicing. Nurses typically devote substantial time to modifying records and delivering the necessary information to the broader medical team.
Overall, being an exceptional nurse starts with the right education and the right mindset. With these tools, you can excel in patient care and bring joy and health to people’s lives.
