WHAT DO NURSES DO? --help me respond to this question
Did You Know?
allnurses.com is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 328,705 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.
Ok,I work in a city hospital as an RN in new york. It is so busy sometimes you don't have time to breathe. I was asked by my nurse manager to write something on what nurses do so that she could give it to the doctors. The doctors told her that they have no idea what a nurse does all day. PFFFT! Anyway I am overwhelmed and have started a list of what nurses do so that I can write something using it. I want to hear from other nurses who could possibly think of things that are slipping my mind at the moment. Its a big job to try and explain all the things we do on any given day, because every day is so different. I feel that the doctors need some good education ( maybe they'd show us an ounce of respect then? or is that wishful thinking?) Any help would be greatly appreciated. I want to write a really good response. Thanks in advance!
Heres a few things I jotted down real quickly: Monitor vitals assess for pain teach listen Advocate for patients determine if orders are complete/appropriate communicate with all levels of hospital employees (doctors, nurses, dieticians, social workers, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, , even nonlicenced personnel such as housekeeping, families, kitchen and phone/TV) Assess for changes in patients condition Assess for actual or potential problems with the patients health status or safety Perform care for total care patients Tasks like suctioning, trach care, feedings, blood transfusions, ekgs, drawing blood, start iv’s, start Foleys, acquire samples for the lab, check orders and make changes accordingly, interpret cardiac strips, calculate I and o’s Solve problems, use their resources Assist patients with their needs Do discharges and admissions Monitor for post surgical complications
protect patients
save money
prevent suffering
Re: WHAT DO NURSES DO? --help me respond to this question
Originally Posted by CheesyPeach
I think a better question is "What Don't they do?"
Answer: (silence)
yup. They are social work, they are teachers, they are doctors, they are nursing assistants, they are clergy, they are housekeeping, they are carpenters, they are engineers, they are heating and airconditioning....
Re: WHAT DO NURSES DO? --help me respond to this question
Why don't you tell your manager that nurses are busy writing stupid lists up for their managers who don't know what nurses do because they are too busy kissing up to the doctor's ridiculous demands.
Why not suggest that these inquisitive doctors spend a day shadowing a busy ER nurse or better yet, Med-surg nurse. There you go.
Re: WHAT DO NURSES DO? --help me respond to this question
Administering medications; includes understanding of indications, side effects, correct dosing and interactions w/other medications that pt is rec'g, as well as in light of recent lab results.
Depending on the setting (ICU, med-surg, LTC... ), medication admin for 1 pt to ??? pts.
allnurses.com is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 328,705 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.
WHAT DO NURSES DO? --help me respond to this question
Search Tags
Re: WHAT DO NURSES DO? --help me respond to this question
