The nurse must have wide knowledge. She needs to be familiar with all the provisions of laws relating to the health system and have a clear understanding of them. The nurse should also know what rights she is endowed with in carrying out her work.
Guidelines for its activities are:
- orders of the doctor to whom she submits;
- the charter of the medical institution in which she works;
- compliance with hygiene standards;
- work schedule;
- job description (based on the current one).
History of the profession
Medicine has existed since ancient times. But such a profession as a nurse for a long time did not stand out. Its functions were performed by students of doctors. Subsequently, they themselves began medical practice.
The emergence of the profession of a nurse dates back to the 11th century. Its representatives belonged to the communities that existed in the states of Western Europe. Workers were called sisters of mercy.
Initially, nurses looked after only the fairer sex. But in connection with the needs that brought the war, their activities extended to the wounded.
In 1228, the first hospital opened, which provided shelter and care for the poor. Its founder was the Hungarian countess Elizabeth of Thuringia. She founded it at her own expense. The workers of this hospital were called "Elizabethans."
A high level of construction of such establishments in all European countries falls on this period. Ultimately, the nurses received a new name - “Hospitallers”.
At the beginning of the 17th century, a new milestone began in the history of nursing. The first community appears, where girls and women are trained to care for the sick. Since then, the profession began to develop rapidly. The activities of nurses extend not only to orphans, lepers and patients, but also to soldiers. Over time, they are connected as assistants to operations. The profession is gaining wide popularity. The ranks of nurses are replenished by the ladies of high society.
What are the responsibilities of a nurse
A modern nurse has a wide range of responsibilities. She is an indispensable assistant to any doctor.
The responsibilities of a nurse include the following items:
- nursing;
- the provision of medical care before a doctor;
- disinfection of tools;
- preparation of material for dressings and other treatments;
- control over the storage and use of medicines.
The functional duties of a nurse include recording testimonies about the condition of the patient and ensuring that he undergoes appropriate medical procedures.
She puts droppers and makes injections in the hospital, takes blood for analysis, prepares instruments for surgery, measures blood pressure, bandages wounds, etc.
The functional duties of a nurse at a children's clinic include monitoring a sick child and giving advice to his parents about caring for the baby at home. Nurses fill out cards and checklists, certificates.
In the operating room, an employee of this profile is required to monitor the availability of a set of all necessary tools. She helps the surgeon, promptly presenting the requested instrument at his request.
In schools and kindergartens, a nurse is required to be responsible for the seasonal and routine vaccinations of children.
What is the responsibility of the procedural nurse
An employee of the treatment room is subordinate to the head nurse of the department. The functional duties of the procedural nurse include performing all the manipulations in strict accordance with the doctor's prescription. At the same time, strict records are kept. All data is logged. Possible complications after the procedure are also indicated.
In the event of a complication after the manipulation with the patient, the nurse must inform the attending physician about this and provide the patient with help according to the existing instructions.
The treatment nurse has the right (as prescribed by the doctor):
- take blood from a patient and transport it to the laboratory;
- determine the affiliation of blood to a particular group;
- to carry out all kinds of injections.
During the procedure, the nurse must observe hygiene standards, as well as adhere to the rules for the prevention of infectious diseases, complications after injection, anaphylactic reaction of the body to the medicine used.
The cabinet for the procedures should be equipped with appropriate medical instruments, material for dressing, drugs.
The nurse strictly monitors the expiration date of all drugs. It provides timely delivery of blood for analysis to the laboratory, provides convenience for the patient during the manipulation.
The desk nurse can act as a doctor’s assistant:
- in determining the blood type and rhesus;
- during transfusion of blood and its analogues;
- with puncture of the spinal cord;
- when taking samples for allergies;
- during the administration of drugs to patients with a serious illness (the effect of drugs may not be fully understood).
What are the functions of a polyclinic nurse
These nurses are professional. They must have an incomplete higher education (specialist) or a certificate of basic higher education (bachelor) in the specialty "nursing", "medical care" or "obstetric care".
The functional responsibilities of a polyclinic nurse include:
- following the doctor's prescription;
- conducting procedural manipulations according to the profile of work;
- assistance with outpatient operations;
- taking blood for analysis and ensuring its delivery to the laboratory;
- providing care for patients in an outpatient setting, as well as at home;
- resuscitation of the patient;
- assistance with trauma, blood loss, intoxication, shock, drowning, burns, frostbite, allergies.
Clinical nurses should understand the following issues:
- laws;
- regulatory documentation;
- regulations of the medical institution in which they work;
- rights and functions;
- principles of work of outpatient facilities;
- rules for caring for sick people;
- basics of medical examination of citizens;
- pharmacological effects of essential drugs;
- sterilization methods for instruments;
- hygiene organization;
- preparation of a diet;
- safety rules when handling medical instruments.
A nurse of this level is involved in educating the public about preventive measures taken against diseases and their possible complications.
Clinic nurse must constantly improve their professionalism.
What is the responsibility of the department nurse
The functional responsibilities of the department nurse are as follows:
- monitoring the general condition of the patient;
- taking care of patients;
- fulfillment of prescriptions given by a doctor;
- professional communication with medical personnel, patients and their relatives;
- preparing patients for examinations;
- compliance with hygiene standards in the department;
- maintaining documents in the prescribed form.
The nurse working in the department should be able to make all kinds of injections, use a sterile table and tray. She is obliged to change the patient’s underwear, both underwear and sleeping.Her responsibilities include measuring the patient’s temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. The data obtained are clearly recorded in the patient’s graphic sheet. The nurse of the department is able to draw up all the necessary documentation.
In addition, her responsibilities include:
- preparation of bix for sterilization;
- ECG removal;
- setting compresses, cans, enemas and heating pads;
- tying the limbs with an elastic bandage;
- the implementation of preventive measures that prevent the occurrence of pressure sores;
- gastric lavage;
- acceptance and surrender of duty.
District nurse
The district nurse conducts diagnostic and treatment procedures in accordance with the doctor’s instructions.
The functional responsibilities of the district nurse are quite wide. She must prepare an office for receiving patients. Under the supervision of a doctor, certificates are issued, prescriptions are issued, directions for examination and other medical documents are issued.
The nurse tells patients about the stages of preparation for a particular procedure, issues coupons for a second visit to the doctor, and sends the patient record sheets to the doctor to the registry. Responsible for the timely receipt of test answers and putting them on the cards.
The nurse should be able to measure pressure, temperature and perform other medical procedures as directed by the doctor. She carries out the sampling of material for bacteriological culture. The district nurse visits patients at home and monitors their treatment. Under the guidance of a doctor, she provides preventive vaccinations.
The district nurse must constantly work on her professional development.
Responsibilities of a Senior Nurse
The main vocation of a senior nurse is to use the department staff with the maximum efficiency to provide high-level medical care.
The older sister of the department is appointed in accordance with the recommendation of the manager. Usually this position is occupied by a nurse with a high level of professionalism. She must have managerial abilities. Her work experience in a medical institution is at least 5 years. Being financially responsible person she monitors the equipment and apparatus in the department. The head nurse takes part in all meetings held in the hospital ward.
A specialist of this level acts as the organizer of the work of medical personnel of the middle and junior level, is responsible for discipline in the team and maintaining order at work.
The responsibilities of a senior nurse include drawing up acts for the supply of necessary equipment, medicines and tools.
The head nurse is responsible for labor protection and safety. She personally draws up the work schedule of her subordinates and distributes the time of their vacations. She maintains a time sheet and draws up sick leave of temporarily disabled employees.
A nurse of this profile keeps a record of medicines containing poisonous, narcotic and potent substances, and monitors their use. Its functions include monitoring the cleanliness of dressings and sterilization of medical instruments.
