What would the world be like without our nurses? I believe my ability to communicate with people and to explain things clearly in both a technical and non-technical way is one of the things that makes me a good nurse. Nurses always need to be on top of their game and make sure that their patients are clearly understood by everyone else. Here are 20 words to describe nurses that have cared for you or an older relative: If you were in the hospital for a while recovering from an illness or surgery, you would have had some contact with a nurse, or a few nurses, who helped bring you back to health and kept you company. Your email address will not be published. The nurse was very upset and felt it was not my place to say anything to her regarding this. By Mike Simpson Being a nurse takes a special kind of person. You can use these words and phrases in thank you cards, in a text, or in social media posts online. Nurses who work in critical care may have the title of trauma nurse, ICU nurse or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse. Believe us, we won’t help patients do anything to harm themselves or others or do anything unsavory or illegal. Many nurses provide care within the ordering scope of physicians, and this traditional role has shaped the public ima… A nursing career is a highly rewarding profession with high growth prospects. We still have lots of health and safety guidelines, and we’re smart enough to follow them. Example: “During my nurse training, I attended a seminar where the speaker encouraged nurses to develop and maintain habits that support our health. Go see your doctor. Yes, we are! Good nurses are detailed-oriented and critical thinkers. This type of nurse's dress continues to be worn in many countries. Nurses are compassionate. Describe a nursing situation you have encountered in your clinical placement. It’s beautiful when you look into a patient’s eyes and see the window to their soul–when just a caring touch or word can make a connection. This means that we have to advocate for patients when they aren’t educated enough about their condition or they aren’t fully aware of what they are entitled to during care. Nurses care for people during some of the most vulnerable and scary times of their lives, and usually act as the most regular and accessible point of contact for patients and families. When asked about the nurse, or if you want to write him/her a card, then you will need to use words to describe nurses. Required fields are marked *. Know what they’ll ask in advance and prepare for the top interview questions for nurses with a time-tested approach. The patient always comes first, even if it lets our team down. We love our patients more than anything and our only goal is to get you better…which is why we just won’t tolerate it when you go AWOL. If you think that, let me refer you to point number two on this list! In dermatology, the word rash would describe a skin eruption and the word spot refers to a skin lesion. Yes, we work on a team, but we also have a ton of work that requires just us. And yes, we have to do a lot of work that isn’t super pleasant, like helping patients use the bathroom or cleaning up vomit. That’s right – we do more than just follow doctor’s orders! For additional pain management advice for nurses, see Turner’s blog on 5 ways nurses can use EHRs to help with pain management. Teamwork. While these nursing fundamentals are the most important components of the practice, nurses today are expanding their role as caregivers to include much more: Communicator. Role modeling professional interactions on the care unit, demonstrating nursing actions, and giving timely and appropriate feedback to the student are ways of fulfilling this role. During that time, you would have learned some things about that nurse. Here are a few characteristics that describe nurses and a little bit of clarification for what that means (or doesn’t mean. The misconception comes in when people think that a nurse has to do whatever a patient says. The care provided by a nurse extends beyond the administration of medications and other therapies. Primary care nurses observe and assess their patient’s skin on a daily basis. We tend to our own patients and do our own paperwork. Remain in Constant Observation Mode You will likely work with many patients over the course of a workday, and that can make remembering what symptoms you are observing difficult to distinguish unless you thoroughly document all of your patient interactions. There are not enough words to describe them in general, but we sure can try. This is why we take more interest in what we can see for ourselves than what you tell us WebMD diagnosed you as being afflicted with. Find out more about what it involves, the kind of training, and salary expectations. On the other hand, we aren’t your mom and we aren’t doormats. There are not enough words to describe how grateful we are for what nurses do. A great nurse is able to do their job effectively while also showing compassion, concern, and sympathy for … However, that doesn’t mean that we know everything, and it certainly doesn’t mean we have the professional scope to do every procedure known to man. It’s essential nurse educators explain and link the sciences and nursing processes learned in the classroom to actual patient care situations. But the nurses who work on the front lines of patient care are the ones who interact with patients the most and are who we think of when we answer the question about what makes a good nurse. We get to work pretty autonomously most of the time, but that doesn’t mean that we get to make all our own decisions without consulting superiors or guidebooks. We see everything. … Describe a time when you were particularly proud of your healthcare team? The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. A parent or patient’s concerns should never be dismissed. Throughout college and nursing school, my interest in nursing and my commitment to the field became even stronger as I found that I also had an aptitude for the work. The situation can be a specific physiological patient problem, a situation involving a patient’s family or a staff member. We’ve seen the good bad from patients and we’ve even seen a few wacky stories attempting to explain some embarrassing situation. How Much Does a Nurse Really Walk During Their Shift. We’ve gone through years of schooling, read the biggest textbooks you’ve ever seen, and passed hundreds of exams. Critical care nurses’ responsibilities include caring for dying patients, inserting life-saving IVs and injections, and educating families on issues such as life support and caring for people with brain injuries. These words penned by a nurse summarizes the qualities of … Nurses may be differentiated from other health care providers by their approach to patient care, training, and scope of practice. When educators discuss with students what they are learning and make connections between anatomy and physiology, chemistry, disease processes and patient signs and symptoms, they empower students to integrate theoretical knowledge with clinical … However, that doesn’t mean that we’ll do whatever our team thinks should happen if we don’t believe it’s best for the patient. Nurses have seen it all. In a society of so many different races, cultures, customs, and beliefs, nurses are a universal gift to all, and the dedicated work that they do and kindness they deliver on a daily basis should serve as a reminder of the fundamental humanity inside us all. Oftentimes, you’re seeing people in the middle of what can easily be the worst day of their lives. Specialty work can include areas such as oncology, emergency, and psychiatric nursing, to name a few. As a nurse, the safety of your patients is your top priority. We have to stay in our lane, and that’s just how we like it. Being attentive is a very important quality for nurses to have, especially when dealing with patients who are gravely ill or in critical condition. Describe a situation when you had to work closely with a difficult coworker. We’ll be as kind to you as we possibly can, but don’t make it difficult for us! If you come to us for care, you’ve got to stick with us to receive that care. A good nurse is a team player, who is not only focused on attending to her own workload, but realizing that she is a part of team and doing whatever is necessary to ensure that the required tasks get carried out. There are many nursing specialties available, including critical care, addiction, oncology, neonatology, geriatrics, and pediatrics. We know all about brand and generic options, dosages, contraindications – everything. It can also be a description of your role in problem solving or of an ethical issue you encountered in practice. The preceptor is an experienced registered nurse who is enthusiastic about the nursing profession and has a desire to teach. All that stuff we learned in nursing school? When the night nurses arrive, the day shift will brief them, leave things in their capable hands, and then go home for some hard-earned rest. A caring and compassionate nature, and the ability to deal with emotionally charged and pressured situations are important traits of a nurse. Then, we’ve passed even more exams to get licensed. We care about people and we love our patients. Of course, we work closely with physicians, but we are also trained and educated in the health field and don’t just rely on what we are told. On Nurses Schedule: The Truth About Working 3 Days a Week. We love our co-nurses, tolerate our bosses, and can even deal with physicians. Based on team and patient feedback, they are able to problem-solve and effectively communicate with patients and families. I spoke to the nurse educator on the unit to use the opportunity as a teaching moment. Patients will often ask primary care nurses about a rash or spot when they have concerns about their skin or have observed that their skin has changed. We can diagnose and prescribe medicine and even perform certain procedures. A preceptor prepares students using a variety of skills. An "RN"—short for registered nurse—treats patients and provides advice and emotional support to them and their families. Here are 11 words to describe nurses: If you have a parent or relative who lived in a nursing home for a while, then you’ve probably come into contact with the nurses who took care of him/her. Of course, it can also be one of … Lamentations44 – Another blog examining the personal insight of an actual ICU nurse, with real-life stories about patients and how she feels about her role as a Critical Care Nurse. When discussing professional responsibility, this means the nurse should always take note of her surroundings and the patient's surroundings and be alert to any safety hazards, including taking steps to remedy any potential problems and ensure the environment is safe for nurses and patients alike. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to give you extra or push your IV faster, even if you’re nice. Some educate patients, as well as the public, about medical conditions. These nurses were there with your loved one every day, and they are the reasons why they could live out the rest of their days comfortably, in the company of others. Your email address will not be published. Nurses are indispensable in the healthcare community, and it’s not just because they understand how to draw blood and check vital signs. We take care of patients and genuinely care about their wellbeing. You need patience, resilience, a sense of humor, attention to detail, and a thick skin. Here are 11 words to describe nurses who cared for your parents or older relatives at a nursing home: With these words to describe nurses, you can show the nurses how you feel and express your feelings about them to others. Some are highly educated but are more suited for writing about the process of nursing than holding hands or working in critical situations. They are the ones who care for us while we are sick or give assistance to our older folk when we are unable to. They go above and beyond the call of duty for their patients every day, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment where patients feel secure and reassured during the most difficult of times. Those nurses constantly work toward professional licensure, certifications, advanced degrees, and more extensive training and clinical expertise to improve patient care. A nurse is a caregiver for patients and helps to manage physical needs, prevent illness, and treat health conditions. We THRIVE on working with a team. Nurses are prepared to collaborate with a healthcare team to effectively perform treatments and procedures. Of course, education plays a big role in ensuring this, but there are certain innate qualities that make one nurse better than the other. Nurse Eye Roll – A Critical Care Nurse gives a personal perspective on a career in nursing, with various posts on nursing practice, patient care and more. Nurses will check and double-check patient charts and information that the night shift will need. We nurses know what we are capable of, what we’re responsible for, and what that means for patients. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses employment is expected to grow 16% by 2024. We know our bacteria and our viruses, and we know how they affect people. Nurses take care of neonates, geriatric patients, and everything in between. Otherwise, you’re just leading us on. Here are a few characteristics that describe nurses and a little bit of clarification for what that means (or doesn’t mean. Our only goal is to help them. Too often, people see us as nothing more than overpaid babysitters that do nothing more than fluff pillows and empty bedpans. Historically, a typical nurse uniform consisted of a dress, pinafore apron and nurse's cap. No doubt about it. You can discuss hobbies, support groups, exercise regimens and other ways you maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are more than a few misconceptions out there regarding what nurses are and are not. But that’s not all we do. 3. A nurse is there from life to birth and can care for […] After that, a nurse has 12 hours to sleep, eat, and refresh. Becoming a nurse is one of the most selfless acts a person can undertake. Nurses are required to be not only compassionate and helpful, but also capable of making difficult decisions and administering the right medical care to patients in the absence of doctors. Here you should outline the functions this position will perform on a regular basis, how the job functions within the organization and who the job reports to. A great nurse has excellent communication skills, especially when it comes to speaking and listening. Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses work with a wide variety of patients on a daily basis. There are great opportunities … Every nurse brings different things to the profession. Here are 31 such interview questions, along with tips on how to answer them, as featured on Nurse.org. The role of a nurse is to give healthcare services to communities, families and individuals through communication, decision making, teaching and management of care services. We listen to what you say when you explain your symptoms; we watch how you move and how you talk. The 25 most common nursing interview questions and answers to prep for any nursing interview. Not to mention, you can give the message in person, which is the most meaningful way to do it. Nursing is a varied job with a range of specialties to choose from. However, the role of a nurse has expanded due to the changes, especially in technology, that have been experienced in the healthcare industry. To answer, describe the techniques you have developed for stress relief. Nurse: job description Nurses plan and provide medical and nursing care to patients in hospital, at home or in other settings who are suffering from chronic or acute physical or mental ill health. We are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to a whole range of wild diseases and illnesses. “The reason I love being a nurse is because it is so rewarding to make a difference in someone’s life. Nurses practice in many specialties with differing levels of prescription authority. Here are 11 words to describe nurses: 01 Attentive The word attentive describes someone who pays close attention to things and who is always on alert. We care about people and we love our patients. We’re pretty smart! Registered nurses play an important role in promoting health and wellness and help improve the quality of life in the community. David Sacks/Stone/Getty Images A good nurse can be described as someone who makes patients feel comfortable and who is also adequately able to attend to the care needs of her patients. Get your career off life support, walk into the nursing interview ready and calm, and land that dream job! Thus, nurses manage patient care. 1. This does NOT mean that we want to see that crazy mole on your back. On the other hand, we aren’t your mom and we aren’t doormats. A LOT of it had to do with medications. Patients are our number one priority. Then there is the age difference. In some hospitals, however, student nurses also wore a nursing pin, or the pinafore apron may have been replaced by a cobbler style apron. We truly do care, honestly. 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