COMPARING AND CONTRASTING THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF ADULT NURSE AND HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT
Adult nurse is a qualified health care professional who is registered by Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) to care for patients/clients of varying ages from the young adult to the elderly. Adult nursing involves caring for patients in the hospital, in their own homes, nursing homes and other community venues. To qualify as nurse you need to complete an approved course. A good qualified nurse has patience and is understanding, they have the ability to remain calm under pressure and are compassionate and sensitive. In addition to that they need to have excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with patients, relatives and healthcare
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professionals. The central focus of a nurse is always the individual patient or client and the provision of quality care, (Healthcareers, N.d ). . Healthcare assistant (HCAs) are vital part of the team that supports the medical and the nursing staff and patients (Career Service,2016). The HCAs work under the supervision and direction of qualified nursing staff, they carry out a wide range of duties to care for, support, and provide information to patients and their families and can be hospital or community based ( NLGroup). A HCA can start in some jobs as a trainee without formal qualifications, although some GCSEs or a qualification in health or care is desired. Previous experience (paid or voluntary) in a healthcare role places a HCA at an advantage. A qualified nurse can have different roles and responsibilities depending on the needs of the patient.
Some of the roles the nurse takes on in patient care, including caregiver, decision maker, communicator, manager of care, patient advocate, and teacher, (Study.com). Furthermore, with dynamic nature of the healthcare over the last few decades, the role of a nurse has expanded even more in accordance with the changes in the healthcare. In the role of a caregivers, a nurse delivers hands-on knowledgeable and skilled care to patients in a variety of settings and ensures that patient's dignity is maintained. As a decision maker, the nurse uses critical thinking skills to make decisions, set goals, and promote outcomes for a patient. These skills include assessing the patient, identifying the problem, planning and implementing interventions, and evaluating the outcomes (National Career Service). Another important role of a nurse is to act as patients’ advocate. In this role the nurse's responsibility is to safeguard patient’s rights. The nurse acts on the patient's behalf and supports their decisions, standing up for his or her best interests at all times. This can empower a patient while recognizing that a patient's values supersede the health care providers'. As manager of care, the nurse ensures that the patient's care is cohesive and directs and coordinates care by both professionals and non-professionals to confirm that a patient's goals are being met (Study.com). …show more content…
Additionally, the nurses help patients learn about their health, medications, treatments, and procedures as well as deal with challenges they may face during and after their illness. Moreover, the nurse may also need to instruct family members about how they can help a patient, this makes the nurse adopt the role of a teacher. As the first point of contact for many patients, families and members’ pf public, HCA need to be well-presented and confident with good interpersonal skills. They must have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing (to understand and be understood) in English, (NLGroup). The HCAs carry out tasks such as ensuring physical comfort of patients by providing effective personal care and support in a way which maintains the privacy, dignity and safety of the patient at all times ( NLGroup) . Maintain a safe environment for the patients which includes keeping departments clean and tidy by cleaning of equipment and making and changing beds. Additionally, they may take and record basic observations such as blood pressure and temperature as well as help patients to eat and to move about if they have mobility problems (Uhs.nhs.uk). The NMC sets standards that govern the practice of a qualified nurse. As a qualified nurse you must renew your professional registration with the NMC every year. For the renewal to take place, the nurse must demonstrate that they practice within the NMC (2008) Code of Professional Conduct as practice outside this code can lead to removal from the register. For the nurses their standard of practice is governed by the NMC which sets the code of practice which all registered nurses must adhere to. Being a professional means adhering to the code of practice, and is a key tool in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the public.” (NMC, 2008) The HCA assistant have got no governing body, once they start working their practice is monitored by their employers and are expected to practice within the policies and procedures in their workplace. The extended training and achievement of formal qualifications make the nurses to be categorised as professionals. They are therefore expected to display competent and skillful behaviours in alignment with their profession and behave in a manner defined and expected by the nursing profession. Furthermore, the NMC expects all nurses to posses an understanding of the ethics of the nursing profession and the responsibilities imposed on the nurse's professional practice (allnurse.com) Professionalism in nursing is viewed as the link between practice and behaviour.
Professional nurses are expected to demonstrate a certain degree of altruism, special attainment, self-sacrifice and the right attitude in their dealings, present themselves in an appropriate appearance, have integrity and discipline. Being professional requires the nurse to have an understanding of the responsibilities and concerns that are integral to the nursing profession, Gokenbach (2012). It also entails working with a team of health care professionals to provide care for patients which involves high level of discipline and internal and external composure that stays steady throughout the day. In addition to that the nurse is expected to be responsible, honest, have integrity, belief in human dignity, patient equality, and the desire to prevent and alleviate suffering, (nursinguniforms,net). It is also stated in the ( NursingUniform.net ) that the fundamental elements of components that make up professionalism in nursing include putting the public first, delivering safe and effective practice, combined with a desire and commitment to continue to
learn. To conclude, there is clear boundaries between the role of a qualified nurse and a care assistant however, the role and responsibility played by each one of them is important in delivering quality care with positive outcome for the patients and the people they support. There is a good reason to acknowledge them for the great contribution they make in health care sector from the beginning of a new life to the end.
Nurses help patients with their physical needs with details, explain the complex steps of medical treatment, communicate with doctors to share patients’ health conditions and proper treatments, and give emotional support to patients in stressful situations. There are certain limitations that nurses have in decision makings because doctors obtain the most power in patients’ medical clinics. However, nurses are more friendly, helpful, and suffering for patients. Lastly, experienced nurses can make a better choice for the patients over young and un-experience
Nurses have a considerable amount of responsibility in any facility. They are responsible for administering medicines and treatments to there patient’s. While caring for there patients, nurses will make observations on patient’s health and then record there findings. As well as consulting with doctors and other healthcare professionals to plan proper individual patient care. They teach their patients how to manage their illnesses and explain to both the patient and the patients family how to continue treatment when returning home (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014-15). They also record p...
The most prominent resource that emphasizes nursing professionalism is an article from the Kentucky Nurses. The author Teresa Huber thoroughly demonstrates the idea behind nursing professionalism and the importance of being a skilled nurse. The author states that professionalism is “respect for human dignity and to never discriminate against patients” (Huber 2015). Professionalism isn’t purely based on appearance but also on the attitude of the nurse and the amount of respect a nurse shows their patients. It’s important for a nurse to never judge a patient and never make a patient feel like they are in the wrong, doing so demonstrates an inability to care for the patient in a respectful manner. Also demonstrating disrespect to a patient’s wishes and concerns will only worsen the rapport the nurse must make with the patient. The author also expresses that “We are accountable for ourselves” (Huber 2015, p.1) that nurses must take responsibility for their actions and make sure that they are giving the best quality care that they can give. If a nurse doesn’t perform to the best of their capability the nurse is demonstrating a lack of motivation and determination. This article reinforces core beliefs on nursing professionalism because it helps explain that a nurse’s attitude and treatment toward the patient is essential to perform their
To be involved in the nursing profession, you must abide by the Code of Ethics provided for nurses. Nurses must hold the good of the patient as its most important value; this is the ultimate goal in the nursing profession. They must treat each patient as an individual, care for them with respe...
“Registered nurses treat patients and help prevent disease, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions and health issues, and provide advice and emotional support to patients’ family members both physically and mentally.”(Registered). It is important for the individual going into this occupation to search out the pros and cons of the different areas of nursing. Sometimes gender plays a part in choosing the specific area of an RN. For instance, the strength of males is needed in areas of physical therapy. While the gentle attributes of women are needed in the care of babies. “A nurse must like people and want to help them, and must also have self-reliance and good judgment, patience, honesty, responsibility, and ability to work easily with others.”(Jacobi). The occupation of a registered nurse includes many advantages such as having the ability to assist your family in medical needs, the salary is attractive and above the average scale, and it offers great job security.
Define Nursing Nursing is a knowledge-based profession within the health care sector that focuses on the overall care of individuals. According to The American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP), “defines nurse practitioners as registered nurses who have received graduate-level nursing education and clinical training, which enables them to provide a wide range of preventative and acute health care services to individuals of all ages. They deliver high-quality, cost effective care, often performing physical examinations, ordering tests, making diagnoses, and prescribing and managing medication and therapies”. Nurse Practitioners are able to specialize in a particular area, such as family and adult practice, pediatrics, and women’s health; and refer patients to other specialists when necessary. Some nurse practitioners work under the supervision of a physician while others run their own practices.
In a highly respected profession such as nursing, professionalism is an important element to staying employed and setting one’s self apart from the rest of the applicants when competing for a potential job. By definition professionalism are the qualities and traits that describe a professional. While knowledge is crucial in any profession, according to an article published by the University of Kansas (2012), “all medical professionals must strive to retain those humanistic qualities integrity, respect, and compassion that constitute the essence of professionalism.” Whether you work in a hospital or administration these three qualities encompass the core of nursing and exemplify what it means to be a professional.
Therefore, I strive every day to be that professional, that health care provider that has a positive and long lasting impact on patient’s health and wellbeing. I always strive to be that professional that my patients and colleagues trust, respect and admire. As a registered nurse, I have accomplished that. I know it because I am asked to precept new nurses and students, because my colleagues come to me frequently to ask me questions when they are in doubt, because when there is a difficult or complicated patient, my supervisor trust me with his care, because at the end of a long busy shift with seven to eight patients under my care, my patients praise me and thank me for the great and unique care I provided them.
In Nursing, there will always be instances where the patient's nurse needs to advocate for their patient. There are numerous reasons why a nurse would advocate for their patient ranging from getting the doctor to change the patient’s orders, helping the patient’s treatment team understand what it is the patient is requiring for the day, to expressing the patient’s last wishes before death. In every situation, the nurse should do what is in the patient’s best interest. Tomajan (2012), “Advocacy skills are the ability to successfully support a cause or interest on one’s own behalf or that of another. Advocacy requires a set of skills that include problem solving, communication, influence, and collaboration”(p. 2). With those skills, the nursing staff will be able to work together to advocate for their patients. Along with those skills, nurses need to keep in mind the three core attributes that are: safeguarding patients’ autonomy; acting on behalf of patients; and championing social justice in the provision of health care. (Bu & Jezewski, 2006)
Nurses must have a professional relationship with all types of people. The nurse must be a professional with their coworkers, superiors, and patients. The most important relationship is with the patient; if a professional relationship does not exist with them, the nurse as well as the organization will get a bad reputation. This in turn will ruin our professional relationship with our coworkers and superiors and will eventually cost that person a
One of the many challenges in being a nurse is demonstrating the professional responsibilities of ones own practice in order to provide proper care to the patients and their families. It is crucial that nurses are in a healthy mental and physical state in order to provide adequate care for the patient. An example of Standard 1, professional responsibility and accountability, Indicator
Professional values that are incorporated into my nursing practice include veracity, kindness, support and understanding. It is important to be honest with patients and help them set realistic goals during their recovery process. It is also important to be kind to those that are ill, as they may not have the best attitude at tim...
Professionalism in the workplace in many professions can be simplified into general categories such as neat appearance, interaction with clients, punctuality, general subject knowledge, and likability. In nursing, professionalism encompasses a much more broad and inclusive set of criteria than any other profession. Nurses specifically are held to a higher standard in nearly every part of their job. Nurses are not only expected to uphold what it seen as professional in the aforementioned categories, but they are also expected to promote health, wellbeing, and advocate for patients, but also continually provide the highest standard of care, demonstrate exemplary subject and procedural knowledge, and abide by the Code of ethics set forth by the American Nurses Association. This Code of Ethics includes the complex moral and ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity, honesty, and integrity.
Working in health care is an important job. People put their trust in us to do our very best to provide them with the absolute best care. Being entrusted with such responsibility requires nurses to conduct themselves both professionally and ethically. Nurses must adhere to the professional values of human dignity, integrity, autonomy, altruism, and social justice. It is these five values that guide us in our practice and as nurses we must promote and emulate these values. They play an important role in the quality of treatment and success of an organization and help us determine right from wrong.
Adult Nursing is a very rewarding career which provides endless opportunities. I would describe myself as a caring and compassionate person. I believe I possess these qualities naturally. I am compelled to put other people’s needs before my own. I can contribute my personal qualities to this course of being dedicated and determined into committing myself to this 3 year course and excelling academically. Personally, caring for my mother with high blood pressure made me interested in the world of medicine. This long term sickness inspired me to gain more experience outside of the home and volunteer which confirmed that this was the right course for me. I am fascinated by the practical aspect that the course involves as well as the theoretical