Nursing today

Important Qualities for Nurses

critical-thinking skills; caring and compassion; attention to detail; organizational skills; speaking skills; listening skills; patience; competence; emotional stability; physical stamina

Roles of a Nurse

caregiver; communicator; educator; advocate; counselor; change agent; leader; manager; case manager; research consumer

Model of Care: Case Method

total one-to-one patient care; commonly used in labor and delivery, intensive care units, and private duty nursing

Model of Care: Functional Nursing

tasks are assigned to staff members based on their scope of practice

Model of Care: Team Nursing

a registered nurse is paired with unlicensed assistive personnel to provide care

Model of Care: Primary Nursing

one nurse manages and coordinates patient care while associate nurses implement the plan

Model of Care: Differentiated Practice

nurses are assigned patients based on competencies and patient needs

Acute Care

treatment for sudden, urgent illness or injury

Long-Term Care

ongoing care provided to patients on a regular basis

Hospitals

facilities that provide acute care

Extended Care Facilities

provide longer-term care ranging from a few months to lifetime; offer skilled and/or custodial care

Skilled Care

short-term care after illness or injury in which patients are expected to improve

Custodial Care

assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)

Extended Care Facility Examples

nursing homes; rehabilitation facilities; assisted living facilities

Ambulatory Care Centers

outpatient facilities that provide services not requiring overnight hospitalization

Independent Living Facilities

housing for seniors able to care for themselves; offers apartments plus activities and socialization opportunities