Nurse careers for the registered nurse
Nurse careers for the registered nurse
Nurse careers for the registered nurse
Functions of nurses
Recent changes in health care reflect changes in the population that require care and a philosophical shift towards health promotion rather than treatment of illness. The role has broadened in response to these changes. Nurses are caregivers, as always, but now they're also educators, advocates, leaders and managers, change agents and researchers.
Roles of nurse
In today's profession, nurses have a broad area of opportunity. When you qualify to become a registered nurse, your career can take a varity of roles. They may be staff nurses, nurse-managers, case managers, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse educators and nurse researchers. Nurses are at the forefront of the medical profession and more often then not your nursing work will see you work in one of the following roles.
Staff nurse
This is the first level of nursing following registration with the NMC. They are the primary caregivers by independently making assessments, planning and implementing patient care, and providing direct nursing care. For example, a staff nurse may make clinical observations and execute interventions, such as administering medications and treatments and promoting such activities of daily living as bathing and toileting.
Ward manager/sister or charge
This role involves managing staff, budget, patient care and staff development to ensure that effective and quality nursing care is being provided in a timely and fiscally managed environment.
Case manager
To counter the trend towards fragmented, depersonalised nursing care in the community the role of case manager has been developed. This role enables the nurse to manage comprehensive care of an individual patient.
Clinical specialist
The clinical nurse specialist has acquired expertise in a clinical specialty; they provide clinical expertise in the area and are involved in teaching and research.
Nurse practitioner
A nurse practitioner has obtained, at least, a first-level degree and specialises in a clinical area. They provide primary health care to patients and families and can function independently. They may obtain histories and conduct physical examinations, order laboratory and diagnostic tests and interpret results, diagnose disorders, treat patients, counsel and educate patients and family members, and provide continual follow-up care after patients are discharged.
Educator
The nurse educator works in a higher education institute and teaches on preand post-registration nursing programmes. They will also have a minimum of a first-level degree and also need to hold a teaching qualification.
Researcher
The nurse researcher promotes the science of nursing by investigating problems related to nursing. The goal is to develop and refine nursing knowledge and practice.
Nursing theories
Many nursing leaders believe that the profession must establish itself as a scientific discipline to enhance its reputation. To do that, nursing needs a theoretical base that simultaneously shapes and reflects its practice. Nursing models combine concepts and theories, and were developed to guide nurses in the way they plan and deliver patient care in an organised fashion.
Concepts common to nursing theories
Four themes guide the development of nursing theory:
principles and laws that govern life processes, wellbeing and optimal functioning of people - sick or well
patterns of human behaviour that describe how people interact with the environment in critical life situations
processes for bringing about positive changes in the health status of individuals
nursing's key role as the central focus of all nursing theories.
Nursing theorists
Theorists and researchers are now collaborating with practicing nurses in the development, testing and refining of nursing theory.
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