A nurse is a healthcare professional responsible for providing patient care and performing triage. Research shows more than 3 million registered nurses are in the United States. Nurses play a vital role in caring for patients by managing physical needs, treating medical disorders, and preventing illnesses.
As highly qualified professionals, nurses often have a broad range of duties that vary depending on the patient’s needs. If you are beginning your nursing career, learning about these responsibilities can help you better understand what to expect in the role. Let’s discuss common nursing responsibilities.
Record Medical History and Symptoms in a Nursing Program
To provide proper treatment, nurses must keep accurate patient health records. This usually starts with gathering patient medical history details, including previous diagnoses, surgeries, current prescriptions, allergies, and family medical information.
During the visit, nurses also record vital signs and any symptoms. When a patient is given a new diagnosis, medication, or treatment plan, nurses update their records accordingly. Maintaining complete and accurate records can be crucial to providing proper patient care. A nursing program teaches you how to maintain and update patient records efficiently.
Collecting Lab Samples and Performing Diagnostic Tests.
In addition to checking patient vital signs, nurses can conduct various diagnostic tests. For example, registered nurses may be responsible for analyzing blood, urine, tissue, or stool samples. They may also examine these samples, evaluate the results and report them to the patient’s care team. While many people know that nurses frequently perform diagnostic tests, they may not always be aware of nurses’ role in evaluating the results.
Additionally, they collaborate with other care team members to review patient findings and make decisions about their care.
Provide Wound Care and Control Infections
Nurses are on the front line in wound care and infection control. They evaluate, clean, dress, and closely monitor wounds to foster healing and prevent infections. Their knowledge of infection prevention is essential in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and guaranteeing patients’ safety.
Provide Education and Support to Patients
Nurses ensure patients understand their conditions, diseases, prescription drugs, and treatments completely. This is especially crucial for patients who have been discharged from the hospital and continue their treatments at home.
Furthermore, a nurse should provide clear instructions to the patient and their family or caregiver upon leaving the hospital or medical clinic. They should also ensure the patient feels supported and knows where to get further information.
In every aspect of healthcare, they share their knowledge, encourage healthy habits, educate patients, and aid in their recovery. By assisting patients and their families, they can also give patients the best referrals for extra services, materials, and classes.
Coordinate with Healthcare Teams
nurses collaborate closely with other medical specialists to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care. This involves:
- Communicating and working together with doctors, therapists, and other medical experts.
- Taking part in discussions about patient care at interdisciplinary team meetings.
- Providing data and progress reports on patients.
- Offering support and guidance during medical procedures.
- Contributing to the development of therapeutic programs.
Operate and Maintain Medical Equipment and Supplies
Nurses use a variety of diagnostic instruments to provide patient care, such as stethoscopes, glucometers, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors. Nurses may also operate specialist equipment like ventilation systems, wound drainage devices, and intravenous infusion pumps, depending on their training and workplace. A strong foundation in technology and mathematics may improve their ability to handle this medical equipment efficiently and evaluate outcomes.
Senior nurses typically manage entire departments, while experienced nurses may handle tasks like inventory management and supply ordering. Careful planning and prompt supply replenishment are vital to ensuring that the medical team has the resources to provide high-quality patient care.
