The nurse is perceived to be a very crucial individual in the healthcare environment. A nurse’s roles are diverse; starting from the time a patient is admitted to a healthcare setting up to when the patient is discharged. Firstly, a nurse takes part in the assessment process, which mainly involves screening of the patient to identify the kind of condition from which the patient suffers. However, a nurse will always be expected to make decisions regarding the conditions to screen and those which do not require the screening process. Consequently, the nurse becomes a decision-maker in the process (Kemppainen, Tossavainen, & Turunen, 2013). Many times people believe that nurses only serve in subordinate positions to other professionals, especially physicians. On the contrary, it emerges that nurses are leaders in their own capacities, and therefore, are very important in making decisions in relation to the wellbeing of patients.
Secondly, nurses work in collaboration with other health professionals within the healthcare environment. Most of the time, nurses spend a lot of time with patients and most likely acquire a lot of information, which once shared with other healthcare professionals, may improve the delivery of care. Collaboration also is beneficial in seeking assistance in the event that a nurse is facing difficulties in some aspects. Some healthcare professionals may be more knowledgeable or possess more experience, which could make a nurse’s work easier.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Lastly, a nurse is influential in the prevention efforts. Nurses also function as educators because they teach patients on healthy living practices such as eating healthy foods, exercising, and observing cleanliness (Kemppainen, Tossavainen, & Turunen, 2013). Since the optimal objective for any healthcare worker is to enhance the wellbeing of individuals, it is also important to teach patients to cushion themselves from acquiring infections or illnesses. In that light, nurses act as essential people in preventing new infections and enhancing quality and healthy living.
Reference
Kemppainen, V., Tossavainen, K., & Turunen, H. (2013). Nurses' roles in health promotion practice: an integrative review. Health Promotion International , 28 (4), 490-501.
