Introduction
A random survey would reveal that most people have enjoyed the services of a professional nurse at some point in their life. Nurses are most popular healthcare providers; this could be attributed to the fact that the profession is the largest among health care professions, with a population of 2.9 million in the United States. That said it is clear that the pivotal role nursing plays in the healthcare system is unquestionable.
Definitions
Many professional nursing bodies and scholars have defined nursing. The most common and valid definition is the International Council of Nurses’ definition. The council outlines that nursing involves caring of individuals of all ages, groups, families and communities whether sick or well. Nurses are expected to offer their services independently and in collaboration with other healthcare workers. Nursing does not only promote health but also prevent illnesses and ensures the utmost care for the dependents such as the dying, the disabled and the terminally ill. Nursing further plays part in advocacy, research, shaping of healthcare policies, health management and promotion of a safe environment (Singh, 2012).
The definition means that a nurse is expected to assist those under their care determine and achieve their mental, social physical potential. Nurses could achieve this goal through health promotion, illness prevention, rehabilitation and proper planning and implementation of care strategies. The characteristics of a professional nurse ought to be holistic in nature and patient-centered. A nurse should be competent in terms of knowledge and technical skills and collaboratively work with other healthcare workers. Nurses should commit to their work, be detailed, communicate effectively and show emotional stability. Nurses are expected to apply intuition and empathy during their professional practice (Singh, 2012).
Roles of A nurse
The public views nurses as caregivers. The public expect the nurse, diagnose, identify the problem, develop a care plan to address the problem, implement the care plan and evaluates if the plan addresses the problems Collins (2014). The public further expect the nurse to console, comfort and attend to their general welfare. The public is not aware that nursing is more than care giving, in addition to the provision of care nurses play the following roles; nurses are actively involved in the development of healthcare policies. Nurses as major players in the industry have more influence in improving patient safety, limiting medical errors, improvement of quality care, reduction of cost, increasing healthcare availability, bringing new ideas to preventive care and improving healthcare efficiency. Nurses play this important role because they are in a position to spot gaps and the consequences of the gaps; they see where improvements should be done because they are with the patient most of the time (Collins, 2014).
The second role of nurses that is unique to public is research; many nursing scholars have made an invaluable contribution to the medical literature. Nurses have identified reachable problems, carried investigation and recommended viable solutions; for example, Carla Hermann an associate professor at University of Louisville in Kentucky has made great discoveries on how to improve quality of life as patients approach death Singh (2012). Lastly, nurses perform management roles such as decision making, resource allocation, planning and evaluation of other. My role model theorist is Ida Jean Orlando, what interest me most in the theorist is her explanation of how a nurse’s perception and thoughts are important in exploring patients’ behavior.
Responsibilities of A nurse
Some of the responsibilities of nurses include collegiality, this responsibility requires a nurse to contribute in healthcare professional development of other healthcare providers by sharing knowledge and skills, providing feedback concerning patient care progress, interacting with peers and colleagues, maintaining compassionate caring relationship with peers and creating a favorable work environment. The second responsibility is resource utilization, whereby the nurse is expected to put into consideration factors touching on cost, safety and effectiveness of an intervention. Nurses ensure that safety; cost and competencies applied to particular intervention results to the expected outcome. Nurses further assist patients in securing and identification of the most appropriate available care to address their needs (Melnyk & Overholt, 2011).
The nurse also provides the patient with information about cost risk and benefits, so that the patient invests their limited recourses on the most appropriate treatment and care. Nurses perform leadership responsibilities such as team work, creativity and flexibility, clear definition of goals, visions, objectives and the implantation plans. Lastly, nurses have the responsibility advocate for patient’s rights and privacy protection. In addition to the mentioned responsibilities nurses are required to adhere to safety of the patients, the intervention administered to a patient should provide the greatest benefit with the least harm if any. Nurses ensure that the information given to the patient is appropriate, makes sense and understandable thus they have a responsibility to educate, inform and communicate appropriately. Nurses have the responsibility to use current best scientific evidence in their decisions while planning for care (Singh, 2012).
Values and Standards in Nursing
Nursing profession have outlined values that a nurse is required to uphold, as a nurse some of the values I would uphold include altruism whereby I would advocate for the welfare and wellbeing of my patients, colleagues and other healthcare providers. My duty would be to ensure that their rights are protected through provision of conducive work environment, proper care for patients and rights to privacy. The second value I would use in practice is autonomy, which requires that as much as I am responsible for the patients’ wellbeing I must respect their decision about their healthcare needs. Another value of interest would be human dignity; I would treat my patients, colleagues, peers and other healthcare with utmost decorum and respect (Mailloux, 2011).
I would also practice integrity in my duties as a nurse by acting in accordance with set code of ethics and accepted standards of practice, honesty would play a key role in my execution of integrity. I would uphold social justice by treating my patients, colleagues and other healthcare workers fairly without looking into their economic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability or citizenship. Last I would take responsibility for all my actions as a practicing nurse (Mailloux, 2011).
Conclusion
My audience would have understood that nursing plays a bigger role in healthcare spectrum that just giving care; they would have learnt that nurses are people they can confide in, seek information from and are always available to help them achieve holistic healthcare. I have learned that nursing have more to offer the community and I should strive identifying gaps in healthcare and develop strategies to address the gaps.
References
Collins, D. (2014). Nursing Policies and Procedures for Long Term Care: Nursing Policy. Bloomington: LTCS Books.
Mailloux, C. G. (2011). Using the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008) as a Framework for Curriculum Revision. Journal of Professional Nursing, 27(6), 385-389.
Melnyk, B. M., & Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: a guide to best practice (2nd ed.).
Singh, N. R. (2012). Nursing the Ultimate Study Guide. New York [N.Y.: Springer.
