Nurses acquire a central position in the American caregiving industry. Healthcare is one of the USA’s largest departments. NHEA reported that the American government spent some $3.6 trillion on healthcare in 2018. Health expenditures accounted for a massive 17% of the nation’s GDP. The coronavirus pandemic has increased the demand to produce more efficient healthcare professionals. The nation found its doctors and nurses as frontline soldiers against COVID-19. People still ask how nurses lead the USA in the matter of healthcare. What unique responsibilities make nurses much more critical than other professions in 2020? Let’s find out, shall we?
THE ROLE OF NURSES IN HEALTHCARE
Nurses assist doctors in providing necessary healthcare to patients. That makes it a much sought-after field and a rewarding career. It’s the nurse’s responsibility to monitor and check on patients and collect medical information about them. As patient care is the primary objective of a nurse, they have to spend a lot of time with their patients. It gives nurses a chance to observe them and administer the doctor-recommended treatment plan. Nurses advocate for their patients and seek the healthiest option for recovery. They also educate patients and console patients’ family members. Here’s a breakdown of the leadership role of nursing explained with much more details.
EDUCATION IN NURSING
Nurses help patients understand the nature of their diseases and preventive measures to treat them. This education allows patients to retain their health after getting discharged from the hospital. It’s the nurse’s job to educate patients, their caregivers, and family members. This responsibility motivates nurses to continue their education and pursue higher degrees in medicine. Nurse often choose DNP to become advanced medicinal practitioners. Some benefits of DNP are as follows:
Administering therapies and medications isn’t the sole responsibility of a nurse. Nurses mainly deal with the holistic nature of patient care. They also console a patient and provide psychological encouragement to disappointed souls. Nurses’ small talk with patients isn’t just to break the silence in the hallways. It’s a meaningful conversation that helps nurses understand their patient’s psychology. Nurses monitor and observe patients and assist doctors in strategizing treatment plans.
PATIENT ADVOCACY
The main priority of a nurse is to advocate on behalf of their patients. Nurses seek to secure the best interests of patients. Patient advocacy motivates them to collaborate with other healthcare professionals and devise the best plans for their patients. Nurses also happen to propose changes and suggest amendments to inpatient treatment plans to improve healthcare in hospitals. That’s why some call patient advocacy “the pillar of nursing. “Patients spend a maximum of their time with them; it is the nurses’ duty to find details doctors have missed. Therefore, the United States wanted to make 80% of nursing staff hold a BSN degree by 2020. It would’ve ensured improved patient care.
CONCLUSION
There are almost 4 million registered nurses working in the United States right now. Nursing World estimates that one in every 100 Americans is a registered nurse. Nursing is also one of the most trusted professionals, according to some national polls. These healthcare professionals play a crucial role in our country’s medical industry; nurses have diverse responsibilities. These tasks include the promotion of health and prevention of diseases via patient care. Nurses are also patient advocates and contribute to national policy-making strategies. Just like the profession, its definition’s also evolving. What RNs need is an enhanced education and further research collaboration.