NURSING
Nursing is a healthcare profession centered on caring, healing, and advocating for patients across all stages of life. It combines science, compassion, and critical thinking to promote health, prevent illness, and support recovery.
What Nursing Is
- Definition: Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health, prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, and alleviation of suffering through compassionate care.
- Nurses diagnose and treat human responses to health conditions, not just diseases, making their role distinct from physicians.
- It is often described as the “glue” that holds a patient’s healthcare journey together.
Education & Pathways
- To become a nurse, one must complete nursing school and pass a licensing exam.
- Levels of nursing include:
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – provide basic care under supervision.
- Registered Nurses (RNs) – deliver comprehensive patient care and coordinate with doctors.
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) – hold graduate degrees and can prescribe medications, diagnose, and manage treatment.
ROLES & Responsibilities
- Direct patient care: monitoring vital signs, administering medications, assisting with procedures.
- Health education: teaching patients and families about conditions, treatments, and preventive care.
- Advocacy: ensuring patients’ rights and needs are respected.
- Collaboration: working closely with doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Specialties in Nursing
- Pediatrics (children’s health)
- Geriatrics (elderly care)
- Critical care (ICU, emergency)
- Oncology (cancer care)
- Community health (public health, preventive programs)
Historical Perspective
- Nursing has evolved from informal caregiving roles to a professional discipline with standardized education and global recognition.
- Figures like Florence Nightingale shaped modern nursing by emphasizing hygiene, patient dignity, and systematic training.
Why Nursing Matters
- Nurses are often the first point of contact for patients and provide continuity of care.
- They play a vital role in preventive health, reducing hospital readmissions, and improving patient outcomes.
- In the 21st century, nursing is increasingly recognized as both a science and an art, blending technical expertise with empathy.