what nurses know thats diff from physicians

gwenith, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2004

Usually when this sort of assignment is set they want you to compare and contrast nursing theory to medical theory in particular look at the medical model and look then at at least two nursing models.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2004

Usually when this sort of assignment is set they want you to compare and contrast nursing theory to medical theory in particular look at the medical model and look then at at least two nursing models.

Token Male · Mar 22, 2004

Simple, we care for people - not just a disease.

Physical, mental and spiritual care

kastas, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2004

Interpreting Dr's handwriting!

yaz · Mar 26, 2004

lol...that seems very true Kastas :chuckle

thnx for everyones input...its really helping..

keep them coming :)

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Mar 26, 2004

We coordinate the care around the patient, working with every other department. We pinch hit for almost every other department during the off hours, or if they are too busy (especially use small hospitals as an example). Nurses are where the buck stops- if the doc didn't explain it right, we doit- if the diet tray didn't come up, we get one- if PT couldn't get a patient set up, we get the equipment and dod the teaching.

We also get to see the whole patient because we are the coordinators, and responsible for everything- so we can put together information and identify issues that could be problematic when the pt goes home. Like bathroom and bedroom on different floors, or paycheck doesn't come for another 2 days so we need to get enough samples to see the pt through if they are discharged, or Aunt Amy is totally against rehab, but that was AFTER she found out it was going to happen in a nursing home...we can notice those things and fix them before they become a big issue.

Token Male · Mar 28, 2004

Also remember that many Allied Health Professions started out from Nurses specialising in one area of care and developing that area. We are in all meanings of the word "General" Nurses. This is why our care is wholistic rather than disease based but you cannot omit the disease process from your approach.

Of course the initial thing to teach many physicians is good manners.

Darchild77 · Mar 28, 2004

Doing nights on our L+D floor gives us a ton of responsibility. It is basically up to us if an OB observation goes home or stays, based on what we tell our docs. When we call our docs, they know to come. I guess I'm getting at the fact that we as nurses know our patients and usually know what's best for them(or the best action). We pick and choose what information is pertinent to tell the docs, because unlike us, the docs don't want to know everything bout the patient. And just for sh*ts and giggles, I'd love to see one of our docs just try and putting TEDS on a pt or try to figure out where and how the internal monitors are hooked up!!:rotfl:

Robinette · Mar 28, 2004

Nutrition - Physicians generally know zippo about different diets, what foods have what nutrients, etc. They know the buzz words like "no fat", "no sugar", but ask them specifics and they don't know.

Addiction - Physicians have very little education about addictions. They don't understand alcoholism, food addictions, or drug addictions. "Addiction" should be a sub-specialty, in my humble opinion.

Medications - Yes, it's true - they have no idea how medications can interact with each other. The most knowledgeable about meds is of course the pharmacist, but nurses generally have more knowledge about interactions than the physician.

Look closely at every aspect of "whole" patient care, down to toenail care, and you'll see how very little the physician actually knows.

Lys · Mar 29, 2004

That Jean Watson should be risen to Goddess status.

I doubt that doctors even know who she is. *sigh*

nightingalagacie · Mar 30, 2004

I loved the response from Renee' Y-Y. Doctors are first and foremost diagnosticians with the knowledge to recommend treatment or to accomplish it with surgery or some other treatment ie medication intervention, etc. Nurses do the footwork, delivering the hands on physical applications of the doctor's recommendations. Our patients need an eye and ear advocate thus our assessment skills can keep the doc on track. His or her visit lasts a few minutes and we are with the patient much longer.

Over the years (I know that this is hard to believe) the doc- nurse relationship has improved/ younger docs rely on nurses judgement more now than when I started 40 years ago. The nurses responsibility has grown, and we are stepping up to the plate as has been our history. Nurses are patient advocates and we need to remember that as we administer care.

I will follow this interesting thread....Nightingalagacie

hi everyone....
i'm a nursing student and i've got a 2000 word paper to write on what nurses know that is different from physicians...
does anyone have any ideas that can share
thnx :)
yasmin

ymmatmullo · Apr 6, 2004

i thought we were the doctors!!!!!!lol