The health care system cannot function without nurses. No matter what type of environment patients are in, nurses make sure they receive the best care possible. There has even been evidence that their acts of kindness helped patients in the long run. Take a look at all the ways in which nurses impact the lives of others.
Providing better care
In hospitals working to improve their patient care, nurses play an essential role. The profession is committed to improving the overall health of patients by preventing disease, reducing hospital stays, and preventing blood clots and pressure ulcers. Most nurses are even helping to reduce mortality rates.
The best way nurses can meet the needs of patients is by getting the right education themselves. Continuing education benefits not only hospital staff but also patients. It helps nurses learn about advances in technology and medicine that will help improve the quality and scope of the hospital’s services.
A solid educational foundation is necessary to become a nurse, regardless of whether one chooses to be an LPN, LVN, or RN. In contrast, practical and vocational nurses only need to complete a diploma program to enter the workforce, while registered nurses must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. They can easily continue their education after they enter the workforce by simply enrolling in an RN to BSN online program or BSN to MSN online program. An accelerated RN to MSN program is also another option. For the highest level, they need to get a doctorate in nursing (DNP). Moreover, nursing licenses must be renewed every two or three years based on continuing education requirements. Even if a state does not mandate continuing education, a hospital they work for will generally require it. A certified nursing assistant salary can be very rewarding in addition to the emotional satisfaction.
Engaging the community in learning
Nursing in public health helps to improve the health of entire communities. It may be their local communities, or they may work in another area that needs more attention. Their main job is to provide quality healthcare to large groups of people, improving their health and safety through better access to quality care. In some schools, they may talk with groups of students about issues that directly affect their health. Additionally, they may speak to community groups or attend events to answer people’s questions and inform them about the services that are available.
Also, they monitor trends and identify the most at-risk populations in communities. They can better understand the risks by implementing education campaigns and organizing events that provide screenings and immunizations to their local communities.
Increasing health literacy among individuals
An individual’s health literacy refers to their ability to obtain, process, and interpret health-related information so they can make informed health decisions. They must know how to read prescription labels, appointment letters, and other medical documents. An individual who has adequate health literacy is better able to take responsibility for their own health and that of their families.
There are health literacy limitations among 88% of adults in the United States. Despite that number being staggering to consider, it does not end there. More than one-third of American adults have trouble managing their own and family’s lives. So it is not surprising that poorly educated people are much more likely to have poor health conditions.
As a nurse, health literacy is a central focus of your work. This enhances patient care, improves safety, and increases the likelihood of a positive outcome. Nursing staff can use non-clinical terms to ensure that patients understand what’s going on with them so that they can be fully informed.
Additionally, nurses can talk candidly with patients about aftercare once they leave the hospital, explaining the importance of self-care and how it can be accomplished. If necessary, nurses can also discuss other aspects of a patient’s health in one-on-one sessions, such as diet, exercise, and personal hygiene. They are able to empower patients to make more informed choices when it comes to their health by engaging them in health literacy conversations. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of successful recovery when the patient leaves the hospital.
Taking Action on the behalf of others
In a hospital setting, nurses are experienced in taking care of patients and following protocol. It is thus easy to identify which hospital policies improve the health of patients. They play a significant role in developing hospital-wide policies, identifying ways to better support patients and their families.
Their advocacy doesn’t just stop at the hospital level. Some work with state and federal authorities to improve the quality of health care locally as well as internationally. Public health nurses are often identified in this role. They are also responsible for ensuring that poor people in their communities have easy access to the high-quality, affordable care that they need.
Advocating for patients
Licensed practical nurses and registered nurses do more than share their extensive knowledge with patients and the general public. They also ensure that doctors and other health professionals address their patient’s concerns. In addition, nurses are able to explain the process to a patient to alleviate confusion and fear.
As patient advocates, they also work to ensure that their patient’s dignity is preserved. A nurse makes a patient feel more comfortable and like humans. They can feel that a nurse empathizes with them, making them feel like people rather than just diagnoses.
Nursing professionals also ensure that their patient’s ethnic and cultural beliefs are respected in addition to their treatment. All of their patients are treated with the same level of respect and compassion. Whether the patient is experiencing mental, physical, or emotional pain, nurses strive to minimize or prevent their suffering.
Supporting an individual emotionally
Most patients fear being admitted to the hospital. They may fear that they do not have answers to all of their questions or that they are uncertain of what to expect in the coming days or hours. In times of fear, nurses help them manage their anxiety and stress.
A nurse can ease patients’ fears by being compassionate and humorous. Furthermore, they provide a certain amount of security and comfort, which can make patients feel more in control of their current situation. For patients’ well-being and health, nurses can be an invaluable resource. They know that even a small gesture of kindness can make a big difference in a patient’s life. A simple smile that responds to a patient’s request for assistance can ease their fears and make their day.
Volunteering in Their Communities
In hospitals or other health care settings, nurses spend much of their time helping patients. Besides serving the hospital, they also contribute to the community.
Some nurses volunteer their medical knowledge, some promote vaccinations and hand-washing, while some offer advice about exercise and nutrition. Other people may volunteer for organizations, which may not require nursing skills, but do require some of the same skills that nurses bring to work every day. It includes empathy, teamwork, the ability to multitask effectively, and an awareness of how our living conditions affect our mental and physical well-being.
Assisting the medical system
In a hospital or any health care environment, doctors without nurses cannot provide the quality health care that patients expect. In addition to caring for their patients beyond the call of duty, nurses also ensure that patients receive the basic necessities while they are in the hospital.
Conclusion
Over the years, nurses’ roles have changed. These professionals offer kindness and compassion to those who are hurt or sick. They improve their health literacy in order to empower people to take better care of themselves. Additionally, they serve their communities outside of the health care setting and advocate for their patients by proposing new policies at the local, state, and federal levels.
In spite of the evolving role of nurses, one thing remains very clear: there will always be a high demand for nurses. Online degrees can help one develop the skills they need to become a nurse. The course offered in degrees can equip you with the credentials and skills necessary to begin a rewarding career in health care.
