NUR 1055 INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
NURSING
-Nursing, as an integral part of the health care system, encompasses the
promotion of health, prevention
... [Show More] of illness, and care of physically ill,
mentally ill, and disabledpeople of all ages, in all health care and other
community settings. Within this broad spectrum of health care, the phenomena of
particular concern to nurses are individual,
family, and group "responses to actual or potential health problems" (ANA, 1980).
- "theactof utilizing the environment of thepatient toassisthiminhis
recovery"(Florence Nightingale).
-The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in
the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery
(or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary
strength, willorknowledge. (Virginia Henderson).
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF NURSE
1. CAREGIVER- nurse provides hands-on care to patients in a variety of
settings. This includes physical needs, which can range from total care to
helping a patient with illness prevention. The nurse maintains a patient's
dignity whileproviding
knowledgeable, skilled care.
2. COMMUNICATOR- the nurse has to communicate effectively with the
patientandfamily members as well asother membersof thehealthcare
team.
3.EDUCATOR/TEACHER- thenurse helps clients learn about their health and
thehealth care procedures they need to perform to restore or maintain their
health. The nurse assesses the client’s learning needs and readiness to
learn, sets specificlearning goals in conjunction with the client, enacts
teaching strategies and measureslearning.
4. COUNSELOR- help the client to recognize and cope with stressful psychologic
or social problems, to developed improved interpersonal relationships, and to
promotepersonal growth. It involves providing emotional, intellectual, and
psychologic support.
5. MANAGER/COORDINATOR- the nurse manages the nursing care of
individuals,families, and communities. The nurse-manager also delegates
nursing activities to
ancillary workers and other nurses, and supervises and evaluates their
performance.
6. CHANGE AGENT-nurseactsasachangeagent whenassistingothers,
that is,clients, to make modificationsintheirownbehavior.
7. LEADER- influences others to work together toaccomplishaspecificgoal. The
leader role can be employed at different levels; individual client, family,
groups ofclients,colleagues,orthecommunity.
8. CLINICIAN- provides expert care to individuals, participates in educating
healthcare professionals and ancillary, acts as a clinical consultant and
participates in
research.
9. ADVOCATE- acts to protect the client.They also assist clients in exercising
theirrightsandhelpthem speakupforthemselves.
PATIENT'S RIGHTS:
-Privacy
-Autonomy
-Treatment Refusal
-Information
-Education
-Not toberestrained
-To be treated with confidentiality
-Services
NURSING PROFESSION
Criteria ofa Profession:
1. Specialized EDUCATION as well as basic liberal foundation.
2. has theoretical body of knowledge and expertise.
3. Provides specific service.
4. has autonomy in decision making and practice.
5. Has a codeof ethics for practice.
6. Research orientation for continuous evolution of practice and theory. [Show Less]