NURSE
CRISIS
Changing
Role of
Nurse
Tip!
The most
common
areas in
which
registered
nurse jobs
are
available
are women's
health,
acute care,
family
practice,
pediatrics,
and adult
practice.
Outside of
health care
settings,
schools,
summer
camps,
military,
and
correctional
facilities
also need
the service
of
registered
nurses.
The issues
related to
nursing involve
a thorough
examination of
nursing as
theory and
practice. The
role of the
nurse
practitioner
especially in
areas of
clinical
decision making
and management
could be
studied in the
contexts of
obstetrics and
gynaecological
department or
even emergency
wards. The
emphasis of
most studies is
on reflective
practice using
Gibbs (1988)
model of
treatment and
reflection. The
need to follow
clinical
guidelines as
given by NICE
or NHS have
been emphasised
in several
studies
especially
highlighting
the importance
of personal
cleanliness and
hygiene in
infection
control.
The role of
informed
consent and
clinical
decision making
in case of
pregnancy with
family history
of mental
health problems
suggest the
central role of
the challenges
in the decision
making process
(Papers4you.com,
2006). The need
for counselling
and holistic
care of
patients have
been emphasised
in clinical
practice. The
role of the
nurse and the
importance of
proper
knowledge of
clinical
guidelines, NHS
directives and
adequate
medical
training
suggest the
crucial
responsibility
of the nurse
who plays
varied roles
from that of
physician to
hospital
manager. The
studies show
the varied
approaches to
nursing as in
case of a
depressed
patient, the
emphasis is on
counseling and
psychological
support whereas
in case of
treating a
patient with
high blood
pressure or
multiple
injuries after
accident,
reflective
practice on
immediate
measures
followed would
be more
important,
suggesting a
focus on
patient
centered
outcomes
(Bowcutt, et al
2006).
Tip!
Registered
nurses are
classified
into three:
full-time,
part-time,
and casual.
Registered
nurse
salaries
are varied
in each
category.
Clinical
management is
closely related
to leadership
theories and it
is important
for the nurse
to develop
adequate
leadership
skills to
effectively
perform
clinical duties
(Booth and
Davies, 1991).
The differences
between the
role of the
health visitor,
nurse and
midwife in
general
practice have
been studied.
Social and
healthcare
policy and
guidelines on
clinical
governance
suggest a
multidisciplinary
collaborative
working
approach for
effective
clinical
management
(Papers4you.com,
2006).
Collaborative
teamwork,
holistic
psychosocial
treatment and
proper
allocation of
clinical
resources are
some of the
issues that are
very important
within
intensive care
units and for
care of
emergency
patients. The
ethical and
legal
responsibilities
of a nurse
practitioner
and the medical
team in general
are largely
guided by not
just clinical
guidelines set
by the
Department of
Health but also
by a team of
dedicated
health
professionals
within the
clinical
setting.
The issues
discussed in
the field of
nursing include
clinical
governance,
collaborative
teamwork, the
role of the
clinical nurse
practitioner,
the importance
of reflective
practice, Gibbs
(1988) Model,
clinical
management and
decision
making, ethical
and legal
issues in
clinical care
and holistic
approach to
treatment.
Tip!
In most
registered
nurse jobs,
nurses work
along with
surgeons,
physicians,
and other
health care
practitioners
for
providing
critical
health
care.
Self-administration
of physical
therapy and
medication,
exercise
and diet
programs,
and
post-treatment
home care
are also
included in
the
registered
nurse
jobs.
Bibliography
Booth J,
Davies C.
(1991) The
management of
change on a
nursing
development
unit. Nurs
Pract.;4(2):12-5.
Bowcutt M,
Wall J, Goolsby
MJ. (2006) The
clinical nurse
leader:
promoting
patient-centered
outcomes. Nurs
Adm Q.
Apr-Jun;30(2):156-61.
Gibbs, G.
1988. Learning
by doing: a
guide to
teaching and
learning
methods.
London: Further
Education
Unit.
Papers For
You (2006)
"P/N/89.
Medical nurse:
characteristics,
requirements,
guidelines",
Available from
http://www.coursework4you.co.uk/sprtothers15.htm
[22/06/2006]
Papers For
You (2006)
"C/N/42.
Portfolio of
the nurse.
Caring for
patients
suffering from
depression.
What is the
nurses
responsibility?",
Available from
http://www.coursework4you.co.uk/sprtothers15.htm
[21/06/2006]
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