Introduction to Nursing Profession

Introduction to Nursing Profession

• The word "nurse" originates from the Latin word nutrix, meaning "to nourish".
• International Council of Nurses (2010) defines nursing as encompassing autonomous and collaborative care for individuals of all ages, families, groups, and communities, regardless of health status or setting.
• Nursing includes promoting health, preventing illness, and caring for the ill, disabled, and dying.
• Advocacy, policy shaping, research, and systems management are key nursing roles.
• American Nurses Association (ANA, 2010) defines professional nursing as the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, preventing illness and injury, alleviating suffering, and advocating for individuals, families, communities, and populations.
• The scope of nursing includes care for individuals, families, and communities.

Nursing's Aims

• Nursing aims to:
  • Promote health: Health is crucial to other nursing aims.
  • Prevent illness: Activities reduce illness risks and promote optimal health.
  • Restore health: Activities recover health, from early detection to rehabilitation.
  • Facilitate coping with disability or death: Nurses help patients and families address altered function, crises, and end-of-life care.

Nursing Roles

• Caregiver: Providing care based on art and science of nursing, meeting physical, emotional, intellectual, sociocultural, and spiritual needs.
• Communicator: Effectively communicating with patients and other healthcare team members.
• Teacher/Educator: Helping patients learn about health and procedures to restore health.
• Counselor: Helping clients address psychological or social problems and develop improved relationships.
• Leader: Leading in groups and influencing others toward specific goals within healthcare.
• Researcher: Participating in research to improve patient care and knowledge in nursing.
• Client Advocate: Protecting patients' rights and needs with other healthcare professionals.
• Collaborator: Working effectively with members of the health care team.
• Change Agent: Assisting clients in making modifications in their behavior and systems.

Health Care Delivery System

• Health care delivery system, according to WHO (2006), encompasses resources, organization, and management for providing health services.
• Inpatients: Patients staying in a hospital for an indeterminate time (days to months).
• Outpatients: Patients receiving diagnosis or treatment without overnight stays.
• Hospitals: Vary in size, from rural (12-bed) to metropolitan (1,500-bed).
  • Classified by ownership (governmental or private) and services provided (general, specialty).
• Subacute Care Facilities: Designed for patients needing intensive care after acute illness, injury, or exacerbation of disease.
• Extended Care (Long-term care): Facilities provide personal and restorative care for chronically ill or disabled individuals.
• Rehabilitation Centers: Assist patients in regaining health and function, frequently dealing with substance abuse or extensive illness.
• Home Health Care Agencies: Provide comprehensive care for acute, chronic, or terminal patients at home.
• Day-Care Centers: Offer care to children, elders, or adults who need supervision or resources.
• Rural Care: Provide general health services customized according to a population's needs.
• Hospice Services: Provide supportive care for terminally ill patients and their families.
• Crisis Centers: Offer immediate support and guidance during life crises.
• Occupational Health Clinics: Focused on employees' health.

Providers of Health Care

• Nurses: Registered nurses (RNs) assess, plan and oversee care, while Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide direct care under a registered nurse's guidance.
• Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs): Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse specialists have advanced training.
• Physicians: Diagnose illness and develop treatment plans.
• Alternative/Complementary Care providers: Offer alternative methods of healthcare (practitioners for herbs, acupuncture).
• Case Managers: Facilitate clients receiving the best care and resources.
• Dentists: Diagnose and treat oral conditions.
• Dietitian/Nutritionists: Develop and implement nutritional plans.
• Occupational Therapists: Help people with impaired function perform daily tasks.
• Paramedical Technologists: Involved in medical technology such as lab, radiology.
• Pharmacists: Prepare and dispense medication.
• Podiatrists: Focus on foot care and conditions.
• Respiratory Therapists: Provide respiratory care to patients.
• Social Workers: Assist clients and families with various issues.
• Spiritual Support Personnel: Addressing the spiritual needs of patients.
• Unlicensed Assistive Personnel: Provide basic hands-on care under supervision.

Basic Human Needs

• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: A framework for understanding human needs, organized in ascending order of priority: physiological needs, safety and security needs, love and belonging needs, self-esteem needs, and self-actualization needs.
  • Physiological needs: Essential for survival (oxygen, water, food, temperature regulation).
  • Safety and Security needs: Physical and psychological security from potential or actual harm.
  • Love and Belonging Needs: Needs for affection, belonging, and relationships.
  • Self-esteem Needs: Feelings of competence and self-respect.
  • Self-actualization Needs: Reaching full potential and realizing one's abilities.