A nurse is an employee who carries out all the doctor’s orders. The role of nurses in the activities of any medical institution is extremely difficult to overestimate. For this reason, many women prefer this particular profession, which allows them to take care of employment in the shortest possible time and places much fewer demands than on doctors.
Job responsibilities of nurses
At work, every nurse must be a constant intermediary between the doctor and all his patients. The specialist must communicate with patients, provide moral support and care for them.
In this case, the work responsibilities of nurses are as follows:
- Providing first aid. Every medical worker must be prepared for this.
- Performing intramuscular and intravenous injections. The nurse must have a good knowledge of human anatomy in order to successfully perform such a manipulation.
- Nursing. This responsibility is fundamental.
- Collection of tests. This duty is performed only in accordance with medical advice.
- Prescribing medications and further monitoring their intake by patients. The medication course should be carried out only according to a specific schedule.
- Installation of droppers, which is performed only when necessary. In the future, full monitoring is required for the effective administration of prescribed drugs.
- Sterilization of medical instruments. This responsibility must be fulfilled before diagnostic or therapeutic measures in order to maintain sterility.
- Records management. It is important to note that all documents are completed in accordance with current standards.
- Preparing patients for operations and other medical procedures. Nurses are also required to prepare operating rooms.
- Carrying out therapeutic and preventive procedures (for example, paraffin, electrophoresis). Such activities must be carried out according to certain standards.
The list of work responsibilities of any nurse turns out to be quite extensive, and it always depends on the position and specialization. The unifying aspect is the need to provide assistance and care to patients.
Only those women who are able to empathize and have compassion for their neighbors can become nurses. At the same time, for successful work you need not only to know the specifics of performing all duties, but also to be a good psychologist, since patients often need psychological support from nurses.
Taking into account such aspects, one can understand how important it is to have high level of stress resistance, because sick people have different personalities and come to the doctor with different diagnoses and cannot always count on recovery.
To successfully perform most duties, character traits such as attentiveness, accuracy, responsibility, accuracy, and the ability to self-organize are required.
Employment Opportunities
The profession of a nurse is one of the most common. Employees with such qualifications are required in every medical institution, so the chances of employment are quite high.
If you have a higher education, you can apply for the position of senior nurse or chief nurse. If you do get an education in the field of medicine, you can later become an experienced doctor.
Advantages and disadvantages of being a nurse
Every nurse should be prepared for the fact that the chosen profession has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
Nurses can expect the following employment benefits:
- Opportunity to obtain medical education for further career advancement.
- Understanding that a nurse saves the lives of many people.
- Gratitude to patients who received support and received treatment with the help of a nurse.
- An experienced nurse can find a suitable part-time job in the shortest possible time. Thus, earning additional income becomes the best option for nurses who strive for optimal living conditions.
The above benefits of working as a nurse help ensure that your work life brings joy and optimal income.
Flaws
It is important to understand that when working as a nurse, there are the following disadvantages of the profession:
- Night duty, which often falls on holidays.
- Minimum salary level.
- Stressful situations that you often encounter at work.
- Serious physical activity, for which not all nurses are prepared.
- The risk of contracting an infectious disease while interacting with patients.
- Not all sick people can show gratitude.
Despite the above disadvantages, working as a nurse can be in demand and quite prestigious given modern realities.
Every future nurse should prepare in advance for the fact that she will have to face some difficulties when performing her work duties. To successfully fulfill existing obligations, you should prepare in advance for what the work will require. a lot of physical and moral strength.
Nurses should always be particularly respectful of doctors' orders and closely monitor the progress of patients' treatment. Any conflict situations must be prevented in advance, since nurses are doctors’ assistants, psychologists for patients, and organizers of the treatment process.
Nurses must be prepared to perform high-quality work duties even during night shifts. Only with such an attitude towards the profession can you count on success in your work life.
Nurse(nurse) - a specialist in the field of nursing, a professional assistant to the attending physician. Male version of the profession - nurse. The profession is suitable for those who are interested in biology (see choosing a profession based on interest in school subjects).
Features of the profession
A doctor or paramedic examines the patient and prescribes treatment, someone must carry out these appointments: give injections, put in IVs, bandage a wound, give medicine, check the temperature, etc. All this is done by a nurse (or nurse) - a specialist from among the paramedical personnel. Often, a nurse communicates with patients even more than a doctor. And the success of treatment depends on her skills.
The specific set of responsibilities of a nurse depends on the place of work. For example, in a clinic, a nurse can help a doctor see patients. This district nurse. She monitors the delivery of patient outpatient records from the registry (they keep medical histories); receives test results and conclusions in the laboratory and X-ray room; makes sure that the doctor always has sterile instruments and necessary medications at hand.
They work in anti-tuberculosis, dermatovenerological, psychoneurological dispensaries, as well as in antenatal and children's clinics visiting nurses. Patronage (from the French patronage - patronage, guardianship) means that medical procedures are carried out at home. Visiting nurses go to patients’ homes and give them injections, bandages, measure blood pressure, etc.
Nursein the physiotherapy room carries out medical procedures using special devices: UHF, ultrasound, electrophoresis, etc.
Procedural nurse gives injections (including intravenous), takes blood from a vein, puts in IVs. All these are very difficult procedures - they require high qualifications and impeccable skills. Especially if a procedural nurse works in a hospital where there may be seriously ill patients.
Charge nurse- distributes medicines, puts compresses, cups, enemas, gives injections. She also measures temperature, pressure and reports to the attending physician about the well-being of each patient. And if necessary, the nurse provides emergency care (for example, in case of fainting or bleeding).
The health of each patient depends on the work of the ward nurse. Especially if this is a seriously ill patient. In good hospitals, ward nurses (with the help of junior nurses and caregivers) care for weak patients: they feed, wash, change linen, and make sure there are no bedsores.
The ward nurse has no right against negligence or forgetfulness. Unfortunately, the work of a ward nurse involves night shifts. This is bad for your health.
Operating room nurse assists the surgeon and is responsible for ensuring that the operating room is always ready for work. This is perhaps the most responsible nursing position. And the most favorite among those who have worked at least a little in operations. The nurse prepares all the necessary instruments, dressings and suture materials for the future operation, ensures their sterility, and checks the serviceability of the equipment. And during the operation he assists the doctor, provides instruments and materials. The success of the operation depends on the coordination of the actions of the doctor and the nurse. This work requires not only good knowledge and skills, but also reaction speed and a strong nervous system. And also good health: like a surgeon, a nurse has to stand on her feet throughout the operation. If the patient needs dressings after surgery, they are also done by the operating nurse.
For sterilization, instruments are taken to sterilization department. The nurse working there operates special equipment: steam, ultraviolet chambers, autoclaves, etc.
Head nurse supervises the work of all nurses in a department of a hospital or clinic. She draws up duty schedules, monitors the sanitary condition of the premises, is responsible for economic and medical supplies, for the maintenance and safety of medical instruments and devices. In addition to their actual medical duties, nurses have to keep records, and the head nurse also monitors this. She also supervises the work of junior medical personnel (orderlies, nurses, nurses, etc.). To do this efficiently, the head nurse must know the specifics of the department's work down to the smallest detail.
Junior nurse takes care of the sick: changes linen, feeds, helps move bedridden patients inside the hospital. Her duties are similar to those of a nurse, and her medical education is limited to short-term courses.
This is not a complete list of options for working as a nurse. Each has its own specificity. What they have in common is that, although a nurse is considered a physician's assistant, the main goal of a nurse's work is to help sick people. Such work brings moral satisfaction, especially if it is work in a hospital. But it is also very hard work, even if you love it very much. There is no time for smoke breaks and thoughtfulness in the middle of the working day. The most difficult departments are those in which operations are performed and where emergency patients are admitted. These are surgery, traumatology, otolaryngology.
Career
There are several career options for a nurse. You can, while remaining in the same position, improve your qualifications and receive a corresponding salary increase. Another option is administrative: you can become the head nurse of a department or even a hospital. The third option is to continue your education and become a doctor.
But why "sister"?
The fact is that the first nurses appeared under the auspices of the church. And the word “sister” meant not a blood relationship, but a spiritual one.
In the 11th century, communities of women and girls appeared in the Netherlands, Germany and other countries to care for the sick. In the 13th century, Countess Elizabeth of Thuringia, later canonized, built a hospital at her own expense, and also organized an orphanage for foundlings and orphans, and she herself worked in it. The Elizabethan Catholic community was founded in her honor. In peacetime, nun sisters cared only for sick women, and in wartime, they also cared for wounded soldiers. They also cared for those suffering from leprosy.
In 1617 in France, priest Vincent Paul organized the first community of sisters of mercy. He first proposed this name - “sister of mercy”, “elder sister”. The community consisted of widows and virgins who were not nuns and did not take any permanent vows. The community was led by Louise de Marillac, who organized a special school to train sisters of mercy and nurses.
Similar communities began to be created in France, the Netherlands, Poland and other countries. By the middle of the 19th century, there were already about 16 thousand sisters of mercy in Western Europe.
In Russia, the profession of a nurse appeared in 1863. Then the Minister of War issued an order to introduce, by agreement with the Holy Cross community, permanent nursing care for patients in military hospitals.
Workplace
Nurses work in hospitals, clinics, maternity hospitals, private clinics, children's institutions, military units and hospitals, sanatoriums and rest homes.
Important qualities
The former name of this profession is “sister of mercy.” Mercy and sympathy for the pain of others is one of the most important qualities of a nurse. This is necessarily accompanied by attentiveness, accuracy and responsibility. Good coordination of movements is also important (this is especially important for operating rooms, procedural, and ward nurses), good memory, and the desire for professional growth. Good health and stamina. Allergies to certain drugs can be an obstacle to work. For example, an operating room nurse cannot assist in an operation if fumes from disinfectants cause her to cough. But the nursing profession has such a wide field of activity that you can simply move to another job.
Salary
Salary as of July 17, 2019
Russia 13000—46000 ₽
Moscow 40000—90000 ₽
Knowledge and skills
The nurse must have an understanding of human anatomy and physiology, be able to provide emergency first aid, perform the necessary medical procedures, ensure infection safety, and maintain records.
Where to study to become a Nurse
To work as a nurse you need a secondary medical education. It can be obtained from medical school or college. Many specializations require additional training. For example, in order to treat people in a physiotherapy office, you need to undergo special training in working with all the equipment.
Even doctors do not always know all the secrets of hospital life, which nurses have heard well about. That is why their opinion is worth hearing if you want to get the most information.
Sometimes it is worth consulting with different doctors
No one will say that the doctor is incompetent. However, sometimes the nurse may recommend that you consult someone else. Consider this a secret signal. 
Gossip carefully
The hospital is not a fun place and you might want to chat with the nurse. But she has a long working day, and there is a chance that the most interesting gossip will be retold later to someone else. 
Nurses may give more medicine than prescribed
When a patient is terminally ill, the doctor does not always prescribe enough pain medication. If a person is suffering, the nurse may give him more than prescribed. 
Service depends on your attitude
Patients with incontinence should only be wiped with a cloth. If you are nice and polite, the nurse will do much more for you, but if you are rude, the service will be at the required minimum. 
The nurse is supposed to remain calm
The nurse's calm tone does not mean anything - even if she is very excited, she will not show it. 
You need to see a doctor on time
No one will directly blame you for delaying a visit to the doctor, but sometimes it is really stupid. 
Don't lie about how much it hurts you
If you calmly use your phone and laugh until you notice the nurse, no one will believe that you really are unbearably ill. 
Your life is in your hands
You must independently follow the doctor’s instructions, because mistakes are quite possible. It depends only on you how good the treatment will be. 
A nurse's job is full of paperwork.
You can’t even imagine how many documents you have to fill out during the working day. The life of a nurse is not all about patients. 
Hospitals are full of infections
Despite all efforts, hospitals are still quite dirty and full of drug-resistant infections. 
Only seriously ill patients are admitted to the hospital
With mild symptoms, you will simply be sent on sick leave. Even if you are seriously ill, you will most likely be discharged before you have fully recovered.
Don't insult nurses
Those who really feel bad have no time to complain
Nurses know very well who is really unwell. The loudest and most dissatisfied patients are those who do not have any serious illnesses. 
They will always smile at you
Any nurse tries to be as attentive as possible, even if you behave intrusively. However, she may complain to her colleagues, which will affect how you are treated in the future. 
Name all the medications you took
Even if it was medicinal herbs or secretly purchased medications, which usually require a prescription. You should list everything to avoid complications when prescribing treatment. 
Reality is different from TV series
What you see on screen happens completely differently in real life. In addition, nurses have much less free time. 
A hospital is not a hotel
Yes, the food is not always appetizing, but you should understand that these are the conditions. For the same reason, relatives cannot be with you at any time. 
The tests should be carried out by a doctor
Do not ask nurses about the results of your tests - all this should be discussed exclusively with your doctor. 
There are conflicts between nurses
Sometimes they also conflict, interfere with each other and quarrel in front of patients. The thing is that this job causes too much stress. 
It is difficult for a nurse to point out a mistake to a doctor
It can be difficult to watch a doctor make a mistake, but it is also difficult to object to him - you may receive not the most flattering comments in response. 
Don't blame everything on the nurse
Sometimes nurses are unfairly accused even by doctors themselves. But not everything depends solely on them! 
Patients should try to be friendly
If you like the nurse, show your gratitude - positive comments make you happy and are remembered for a long time. 
Don't forget about the nurse
If you have been in the hospital for a long time, you can visit the nurse after you are discharged and thank her. It will be very nice for her. 
Nurses believe in miracles
During the course of their work, everyone has experiences that cannot be called anything other than miraculous. People wake up from comas and recover in critical cases. You should never give up and stop believing in the best. 
Working in a hospital is very exhausting.
There are physically demanding professions. Some are mentally exhausting. A nurse's job involves both. If you are not getting enough help, simply ask another nurse. 
Demand attention to yourself
Many nurses and doctors only discuss test results during rounds. If you want your opinion to be listened to, pay attention to yourself. 
Do not distract the nurse while preparing medications
In this matter, mistakes are unacceptable. Avoid distracting the nurse who is dispensing medications to avoid causing problems. 
A good nurse knows how to give an injection the first time
If they can't get into your vein, call another nurse. Of course, inexperienced workers need practice, but you are not a guinea pig! The injection must be done the first time. 
Don't stand the pain
If you feel pain, it is better to report it immediately. Mild discomfort is easier to eliminate than a critical condition. 
Drink more water before your blood test
If you have a blood test, drink a few glasses of water. This will make your veins more visible, which means everything will be as comfortable as possible for everyone. 
Don't hold your breath from the pain
Holding your breath only worsens the pain, so it’s better to try to breathe regularly. 
Don't go to hospital in the summer
If you have a choice, do not go to the hospital in the summer - this is when new employees begin work, who may not be very experienced. 
Doctors don't tell you everything
Not every doctor speaks directly; some will reassure you, even if the situation is critical. 
Some doctors don't care about pain
Some perform painful procedures without pain relief or give too little medication. 
All visitors must wash their hands
Constantly remind everyone who comes to you to wash their hands. This even applies to doctors! 
Stay close to seriously ill relatives
It is always difficult for nurses to watch a terminally ill person suffer less from pain than from loneliness. 
Little things matter to patients
Just wrap the patient in a warm blanket - comfort and attention are most important. 
Sometimes nurses speak harshly to relatives
Family members must clearly understand what the patient needs, so they will be told about it as clearly as possible, even if the information is difficult. 
Nurses may be more important than doctors
They are the ones who monitor your medication intake and your condition throughout the day! 
Men should see a doctor more often
Listen to your wife who advises you to go to the hospital, don’t try to endure it - this is not at all a sign of masculinity. 
If you don't understand something, ask
Ask for an explanation of any diagnosis that you do not understand. 
Know what further treatment involves
Monitor the treatment process and ask detailed questions about what to do next. 
Treatment can be unpredictable
Nurses face a wide variety of life situations, so they are used to giving advice. 
Understand boundaries
You should not flirt with a nurse and ask her out on a date - this is unethical. 
Keep a positive mood
Keeping your spirits high is very important for a quick recovery. 
Give thanks
Giving thanks is not as difficult as it seems! 
Don't hide bad habits
Do not underestimate your alcohol intake and do not hide bad habits, the doctor will find out about it anyway. 
Don't make others wait
Don't distract the nurse with petty requests - someone might feel really bad. 
Sometimes you are deceived
Nurses need white lies for your peace of mind. 
Wet the patch
Finally, when removing the bandage, ask to wet the patch - this will make it come off much easier.