by Char Brar

Created on: April 02, 2009

Nurses are the largest task force in the healthcare field. Their main focus is on holistic care and prevention. Their responsibilities depend upon their education, training, and role in the organization. Depending on education and training, the nurse can be seen as a bedside staff nurse, a provider, an administrator, researcher, and or an educator. The nurses are pioneers in the healthcare field. They have their own practice licenses, and every professional nurse is expected to demonstrate high level of integrity.

There are two types of Licensed Nurses, the RNs (Registered Nurses) and the LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses). All nurses are responsible for the care of their own patients, but a RN is usually the one that holds the ultimate nursing responsibility of the patient. The LPNs report to the RNs. LPNs usually provide direct care to the patient. LPNs range of work and responsibility can vary depending on the rules and regulations of their Nursing board, State, and Organization.

The RN is expected to be competent in assessing, planning, and implementing patient care very efficiently for best patient outcomes. Nurses are often responsible for multiple patients; In order to provide efficient care, they must learn to prioritize. RNs are expected to have excellent assessment skills, and up-to-date knowledge of healthcare technology.

Nurses are responsible for total coordination of patient's care. The day to day needs of the patient, patient medicines, tests, teachings, physical therapies, meal times, etc. are all coordinated by the nurse.

So not only is the nurse responsible for the patient's physical and social needs, but all in making sure everyone involved in patient's care understands the goals of patient's care and works together as a team. In other words, a nurse is a team leader.

Nurses communicate their patient's health status, and day to day changes to the Physicians, and other providers. They also initiate consults as needed. For example:

1) Patient becomes short of breath. (LPN will notify the RN). The RN will evaluate the patient and make an assessment as to what could be the cause of shortness of breath. She may immediately start oxygen therapy depending on her assessment, or call respiratory service for respiratory treatment. She will notify the doctor for further consultation and treatment orders.

2) Another example is that nurse (RN or LPN) observes that that a patient has skin break down. RN will initiate a consult for the skin care nurse, notify the

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