What do Nurses Actually Do !!!!!

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HI! I am starting my nursing training in September, so this may sound like a very stupid question, but what do nurses actually do? What I mean is what tasks and responsibilities do nurses have? I'm interesting in Emergency and Intensive Care nursing so I would be interested in hearing what nurses in these areas do, as well as others!!!!!! :)

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Specializes in midwifery, ophthalmics, general practice.

oh boy..............how long have you got????

not going to attempt to answer this one in all its complexity....... but I guess in a nutshell... we look after people!! what I actually do........... well that would take hours to explain!!

Karen

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http://www.bls.gov/k12/html/sci_004.htm

It's not exhaustive, but it's not bad for an in-a-nutshell description. I actually wish there was a very detailed yet easily understood description of what modern staff RNs do in chronic or med/surg units. I think that's the concept of nursing most people have and are curious about.

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HI! I am starting my nursing training in September, so this may sound like a very stupid question, but what do nurses actually do? What I mean is what tasks and responsibilities do nurses have? I'm interesting in Emergency and Intensive Care nursing so I would be interested in hearing what nurses in these areas do, as well as others!!!!!! :)

This is actually an excellent question. Prior to nursing school, I thought nurses took blood pressure and gave shots. They do, along with 10,000 other things!

Someone once posted on these boards a brilliant reply to a similar question. They said "nurses do what everyone thinks the doctor does." On the average floor, the doctor shows up once a day and assesses the patient for 90 seconds. The remaining 23 hours, 58 minutes and 30 seconds is handled by the nurse!

The absolute best way to answer this question is to shadow a nurse for the day. Some hospitals offer this, others you may have to volunteer to get a sneak peek. Keep reading these boards and you'll continue to learn exactly what nurses do. :)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

what a question,

I usually say that we are jack of all trades but master on none. Jobs vary depending on speciality but as a student you will have chance to work in most areas and give you a rough idea whats involved. A&E nursing is very stressful and not an area I would recommend for a newly qualified nurse.

Anna :)

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I couldn't have said that better myself! I think I am going to start using that saying... :chuckle

Someone once posted on these boards a brilliant reply to a similar question. They said "nurses do what everyone thinks the doctor does." On the average floor, the doctor shows up once a day and assesses the patient for 90 seconds. The remaining 23 hours, 58 minutes and 30 seconds is handled by the nurse!

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From what I have gathered around here (I'm a student) just about everything!!!!

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Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

There isn't much we DON'T do....Way too long a list....Wouldn't know where to begin other than to say we endear ourselves, our knowledge, our love, our laughter, our skills, our tears, our hugs, our limits and our lives, to others.....

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