Nurses are the often un-sung heroes of the medical field, and it's sad why this has come to be. We hold doctors in such inflated reverence, that we treat nurses simply as their assistants. In fact, nurses provide much more than mere assistance. Nurses are part of a doctor's support staff and without them, many integral tasks to help people get better and survive, would go undone.
Nurses aren't doctors who didn't make it, as many would have you believe. They are a part of the pre, during and after care systems, that are of paramount importance in keeping our population healthy and alive. From administrative tasks to the most technical operating support tasks, without nurses, you would be very uncomfortable in the hospital, or anywhere medical treatment is administered. Here are a few things that nurses do to help us all enjoy the best health care possible.
- Patient assessment is a huge part of the nurse's job and it helps the doctor give the best treatment, in the best timeframe possible. Nurses will typically be the first medical staff you encounter when going to a hospital, and they will examine you and your body for the things you relay - and the things you don’t. They are intuitive and detail oriented and without a nurse's assessment, you may have a long wait to see the doctor you need.
- Nurses often have to explain and give medicine to patients. Even when your doctor has already prescribed what you need, sometimes you don't understand what was told. People often feel very comfortable asking nurses for explanations about treatment and medicine. From a simple Glucose Reduce installment to the more complicated cocktail of medicines required to supplement cancer treatment at home, a nurse's explanation can leave you feeling very comfortable.
- Nurses often have to take the role of personal cheerleaders and coaches for patients in their stead. Especially after surgeries, patients don't always want to move around or exercise, but they must. Nurses will ensure that they are up and out of bed, and that they get the encouragement they need, to make the movements the need. It may not seem like much at the time, but post-op. circulation is extremely important.
- A major part of nursing is patient teaching. When patients with certain diagnoses are discharged to their own care, they sometimes have to self-medicate. This includes changing their own dressings, and giving themselves intravenous drugs. Nurses will teach patients how to do this properly, and give them the explanations they need to understand why and how they have to do, what they have to do.
PIC TITLE: Nurses Saving the Day Photo
PIC SOURCE: nursinlink.monster.com
