What is nursing

The common thread uniting different types of nurses who work in varied areas is the nursing process—the essential core of practice for the registered nurse to deliver holistic, patient-focused care. Assessment An RN uses a systematic, dynamic way to collect and analyze data about a client, the first step in delivering nursing care. Assessment includes not only physiological data, but also psychological, sociocultural, spiritual, economic, and life-style factors as well. For example, a nurse’s assessment of a hospitalized patient in pain includes not only the physical causes and manifestations of pain, but the patient’s response—an inability to get out of bed, refusal to eat, withdrawal from family members, anger directed at hospital staff, fear, or request for more pain mediation. Diagnosis The nursing diagnosis is the nurse’s clinical judgment about the client’s response to actual or potential health conditions or needs. The diagnosis reflects not only that the patient is in pain, but that the pain has caused other problems such as anxiety, poor nutrition, and conflict within the family, or has the potential to cause complications—for example, respiratory infection is a potential hazard to an immobilized patient. The diagnosis is the basis for the nurse’s care plan. Outcomes / Planning Based on the assessment and diagnosis, the nurse sets measurable and achievable short- and long-range goals for this patient that might include moving from bed to chair at least three times...

Share on Pinterest Jeff Bergen/Getty Images There are many different types of nurses, but registered nurses (RNs) are often considered the backbone of the nursing system. Registered nurses can work in any specialty and in various healthcare settings, including home healthcare. They provide patient care, education, and assist other healthcare professionals. In this article, we’ll cover what a registered nurse is — and how to become one. RNs provide and coordinate patient care. They also provide education to patients and the public about illnesses, diseases, and health conditions. They’re licensed medical professionals who work with patients, doctors, and other health care workers. RNs can provide a high level of direct care to patients, while nurses like licensed practical nurses are more focused on assisting RNs or doctors. RNs play an important role in coordinating healthcare, as well as ensuring that everything is running smoothly overall in patient care. To become a registered nurse, you must complete the following requirements. Education There are multiple educational pathways to becoming a registered nurse. Education for an RN can include: • a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), which typically takes 4 years • an Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or an Associate of Science in nursing (ASN), which usually take about 2 to 3 years • a diploma in nursing from a hospital or medical center (these aren’t as common as they used to be), which typically takes 2 to 3 years The...

Nursing Definitions Definition of Nursing Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles. (ICN, 2002) Long definition Nursing, as an integral part of the health care system, encompasses the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of physically ill, mentally ill, and disabled people 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, P.9). These human responses range broadly from health restoring reactions to an individual episode of illness to the development of policy in promoting the long-term health of a population. The unique function of nurses in caring for individuals, sick or well, is to assess their responses to their health status and to assist them in the performance of those activities contributing to health or recovery or to dignified death that they would perform unaided if they had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge and to do this in such a way as to help the...

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Share on Pinterest Maskot/Getty Images Nursing is a challenging career — especially during a pandemic — but it can also be rewarding in many ways. In 2020, nurses and other medical professionals were hailed as heroes during the However, nurses are leaving the workforce in staggering numbers, and demand is rising as fast as people are leaving. As a profession, nursing can provide you with a reliable and lucrative career with many opportunities for advancement. Find out why you might consider becoming a nurse, and what to expect when you get there. Salary The salary range for a nurse can vary significantly based on several factors, such as: • degree or type of nurse (LPN, ADN-RN, BSN-RN, MSN) • geographic location • facility • experience • • job status (full-time or as needed) In the United States in 2020, the When breaking this down • Government: $84,490 per year • Inpatient hospital: $76,840 per year • Outpatient or ambulatory care: $72,340 per year • Skilled nursing and residential facilities: $68,450 per year • Educational organizations: $64,630 per year Salaries can vary based on geographic region and whether you work in a rural or urban area, too. These figures are based on full-time positions, but nurses who work PRN (standing for “pro re nata,” on an as-needed basis) or to fill particular needs may be paid a premium rate. These nurses don’t work regular hours but are helpful when hospitals need to fill in for employees who are out on leave or when there is a spike in...

The practice of nursing Scope of nursing practice According to the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the scope of nursing practice “encompasses Nurses enter practice as generalists. They care for individuals and families of all ages in homes, hospitals, schools, long-term-care facilities, outpatient clinics, and medical offices. Many countries require three to four years of education at the university level for generalist practice, although variations exist. For example, in the Preparation for specialization in nursing or advanced nursing practice usually occurs at the master’s level. A college or university Research preparation in nursing takes place at the doctoral level. Coursework emphasizes nursing knowledge and Forms of general nursing practice Hospital nursing is perhaps the most familiar of all forms of nursing practice. Within hospitals, however, there are many different types of practices. Some nurses care for patients with illnesses such as Community health nursing incorporates varying titles to describe the work of nurses in community settings. Over the past centuries and in different parts of the world, community health nurses were called district nurses, visiting nurses, Mental health (or psychiatric) nursing practice concentrates on the care of those with emotional or stress-related concerns. Nurses practice in inpatient units of hospitals or in outpatient mental health clinics, and they work with individuals, groups, and families. Advanced-practice men...