Essentials of Nursing

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The quote from the American Nursing Association that defines nursing sets out the essentials parts of what nurses do to help patients, physically and emotionally. Nurses are essential to a patient’s recovery in that nurses help not only to treat patients, but also to inform and educate patients. The information that a nurse imparts to a patient may prevent further illness and/or injury. Further, a nurse serves as a liaison between patients and doctors to decide the best treatment options for a patient and then organize a plan to follow. The support that a nurse lends to doctors, patients, and the community is diverse and invaluable. It is the contribution of nurses that ensures that patients and their families receive excellent care and attain a good standard of treatment, compassion, and care. The five roles of nursing are communicator, teacher, counselor, client advocate, and caregiver, which involves the use of the "nursing process" (Scribd). A nurse is a communicator that has to collaborate with doctors and patients from different cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles. Nurses are teachers because they educate patients about how to efficiently care for themselves. They serve as counselors who are there to alleviate the burden of emotional suffering of a patient. The role of client advocate involves standing up for what is best for the individual patient as well as "protects the clients' rights" (Scribd). Caregivers ensure that the patient is safe, has good hygiene, and is comfortable. Caregivers also use the "nursing process," which includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. When assessing a patient, a nurse collects and analyzes detailed data to get an accurate view of the patient’s illness or injury (The Nursing Process). According to The Nursing Process, during a nurse’s diagnosis, the nurse makes a “nursing diagnosis from the

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