Evolution of Nursing Thought & Action

Vocabulary flashcards covering core nursing definitions, regulatory bodies, healthcare financing, professional nursing roles, and evidence-based practice based on lecture notes.

Nursing

The protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.

Nurse Practice Acts

Laws that regulate nursing practice.

State Board of Nursing

State agencies that define nursing practice, establish criteria for licensure, define scope of practice, and enforce rules governing nursing.

Medicare

A public federally funded healthcare financing program for individuals older than 65 years or permanently disabled.

Medicaid

A public federally funded healthcare financing program for low-income patients.

Direct Care Provider

A nursing role that provides hands-on care, assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates individualized patient care, administers medications safely, and assists with activities of daily living.

Communicator

A nursing role that exchanges clear, accurate, and timely information with patients, families, and healthcare teams using therapeutic communication to reduce errors and build trust.

Client/Family Educator

A nursing role that teaches patients and families about health conditions, treatments, and procedures while promoting health literacy and disease prevention strategies.

Client Advocate

A nursing role that ensures the patient's voice is heard, promotes informed consent, addresses barriers to care, protects patient autonomy, and intervenes when safety or dignity is at risk.

Counselor

A nursing role that provides emotional support during illness or stress, helping patients express feelings and cope with anxiety, fear, grief, or uncertainty.

Change Agent

A nursing role that promotes evidence-based practice changes, supports the adoption of new policies and technologies, and participates in quality improvement initiatives.

Leader

A nursing role that sets a positive example for professional behavior, accountability, and clinical practice while encouraging and mentoring peers and students.

Manager/Case Manager

A nursing role that coordinates patient care, monitors resource utilization, manages staffing and unit operations, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams.

Research Consumer

A nursing role that evaluates and applies current research and evidence-based practice to guide clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.

Evidence Based Practice (EBP)

A decision-making approach that combines clinical expertise, patient values, and the best available evidence to guide patient care.