2 answers
Jazmine
Student
Kerrville, Texas
5
Questions
2 answers
Thomas Sutherland
Associate Continuity and Recovery Specialist, CBCP
207
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
"General Duties
All nurses must provide the basic, routine care to their patients. This includes:
Assessing vital signs
Monitoring intake and output
Administering medication
Educating patients and family members
Communicating patient needs to other healthcare professionals
Advocating for patient rights
Providing moral and emotional support for both patients and family members
Documenting patient status accurately
Coordinating plan of care
Facilitating safe discharge
Reporting change in patient status
Clearly this is not an exhaustive list, as each individual patient presents with unique needs and nurses are expected to adapt and take responsibility for whatever may be required.
Unique Responsibilities
Many nurses have additional responsibilities beyond those listed above. This will vary depending on local legislation, experience, degree held and certifications. Other tasks that may fall under the purview of registered nurses include:
Scheduling of patient treatment
Supervising and managing other healthcare staff
Managing patient cases
Completing diagnostic tests
Interpreting test results
Utilizing appropriate medical equipment
Operating life support systems
Sterilizing treatment rooms
Assisting with surgery
Most nurses do not complete all of the duties mentioned above. However, any of these tasks may be completed in a typical day in certain specialties.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
On a typical day a registered nurse will face many challenges and have many successes. For example, consider a day on a medical-surgical floor. While there are multiple shifts offered, we will look at the 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. shift. On arriving at the hospital, the nurse must first meet with the nurse they are relieving to discuss changes, new information, and meet any new patients.
A typical caseload for this scenario will be six patients with varying diagnoses. Once the nurse has met the patients and is familiar with their needs, they then must begin administering morning medications. Many patients will also verbalize specific needs, such as needing to use the restroom or requesting a meal change.
The nurse must coordinate all of this with nursing techs, CNA, or dietary workers. As the day goes on, the nurse must manage the care of patients, assist with transferring, monitor vital signs, administer any additional needed medications, schedule needed treatments, communicate with doctors completing rounds, educate family members on patient status, monitor patients for any signs or symptoms of worsening health, provide transportation to appointments, and meet additional patient needs.
This will continue for the entirety of the shift, with documentation and observation required throughout the day.
Communication with other healthcare providers is essential to ensure proper safety and comfort of patients. Good interpersonal skills and communication skills are needed whenever conflict arises or to assist in patient education. Once the shift is complete, the nurse must then educate the incoming nurse on patient status and information to ensure a safe continuation of care."
All nurses must provide the basic, routine care to their patients. This includes:
Assessing vital signs
Monitoring intake and output
Administering medication
Educating patients and family members
Communicating patient needs to other healthcare professionals
Advocating for patient rights
Providing moral and emotional support for both patients and family members
Documenting patient status accurately
Coordinating plan of care
Facilitating safe discharge
Reporting change in patient status
Clearly this is not an exhaustive list, as each individual patient presents with unique needs and nurses are expected to adapt and take responsibility for whatever may be required.
Unique Responsibilities
Many nurses have additional responsibilities beyond those listed above. This will vary depending on local legislation, experience, degree held and certifications. Other tasks that may fall under the purview of registered nurses include:
Scheduling of patient treatment
Supervising and managing other healthcare staff
Managing patient cases
Completing diagnostic tests
Interpreting test results
Utilizing appropriate medical equipment
Operating life support systems
Sterilizing treatment rooms
Assisting with surgery
Most nurses do not complete all of the duties mentioned above. However, any of these tasks may be completed in a typical day in certain specialties.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
On a typical day a registered nurse will face many challenges and have many successes. For example, consider a day on a medical-surgical floor. While there are multiple shifts offered, we will look at the 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. shift. On arriving at the hospital, the nurse must first meet with the nurse they are relieving to discuss changes, new information, and meet any new patients.
A typical caseload for this scenario will be six patients with varying diagnoses. Once the nurse has met the patients and is familiar with their needs, they then must begin administering morning medications. Many patients will also verbalize specific needs, such as needing to use the restroom or requesting a meal change.
The nurse must coordinate all of this with nursing techs, CNA, or dietary workers. As the day goes on, the nurse must manage the care of patients, assist with transferring, monitor vital signs, administer any additional needed medications, schedule needed treatments, communicate with doctors completing rounds, educate family members on patient status, monitor patients for any signs or symptoms of worsening health, provide transportation to appointments, and meet additional patient needs.
This will continue for the entirety of the shift, with documentation and observation required throughout the day.
Communication with other healthcare providers is essential to ensure proper safety and comfort of patients. Good interpersonal skills and communication skills are needed whenever conflict arises or to assist in patient education. Once the shift is complete, the nurse must then educate the incoming nurse on patient status and information to ensure a safe continuation of care."
Janice Dietrich
36
Answers
Updated
Janice’s Answer
Hi Jazmine-
I love being a nurse! I am able to help comfort people and keep them well.
It is not easy being a nurse, worked holidays, weekends and off shift in my career.
I have enjoyed nursing as I have been in roles as a staff nurse in a hospital, teacher at a university, and now in a leadership role for an insurance company.
I also enjoyed the different settings a nurse can work,- hospital, clinic, rehabilitation, university, skilled care and so much more!
If you are interested in a health career, do some volunteer work to get started. Also, try shadowing a health care worker for more insight.
Good Luck!
I love being a nurse! I am able to help comfort people and keep them well.
It is not easy being a nurse, worked holidays, weekends and off shift in my career.
I have enjoyed nursing as I have been in roles as a staff nurse in a hospital, teacher at a university, and now in a leadership role for an insurance company.
I also enjoyed the different settings a nurse can work,- hospital, clinic, rehabilitation, university, skilled care and so much more!
If you are interested in a health career, do some volunteer work to get started. Also, try shadowing a health care worker for more insight.
Good Luck!