Nursing roles

Care provider

• Provides knowledgeable, compassionate, holistic care.

• Focus on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

• Advocates for client needs, ensures culturally competent care.

• Communicates effectively with clients, families, and team.

Case manager

• Coordinates interdisciplinary services and discharge planning.

• Works with clients, families, and healthcare team to prevent fragmentation of care.

• Ensures safe, effective, and seamless care transitions.

• Often requires MSN or case management certification.

Researcher

• Uses evidence-based practice in client care.

• Reads and applies current scholarly research.

• May assist in data collection, clinical trials, or quality improvement.

• Nurse scientists (PhD-prepared) conduct and publish research.

Educator

• Provides client education to promote self-care and decision making.

• Supports student nurses and precepts new nurses.

• Clinical nurse ________ (CNEs) design orientation, assess competencies, and provide continuing education.

• Formal __________ often require graduate degrees (MSN, DNP, PhD).

Leader

• Inspires and empowers teams toward shared goals.

• Encourages interdisciplinary teamwork and effective communication.

• Includes formal roles (nurse managers, CNOs) and informal leaders.

• Emergent _________ are essential for quality care and work environment.

Manager

• Oversees clinical teams and care quality.

• Responsibilities: hiring, scheduling, budgeting, evaluating staff.

• Balances safety, health, and satisfaction of clients and staff.

• Executive nurse leaders ensure adherence to Nurse Practice Act and standards.

Change agent

• Recognizes the need for change and facilitates implementation.

• Plans, educates, and supports staff through transitions.

• Helps reduce resistance and stress associated with change.

• Example: introducing and training on new medical devices.

Advocacy

Supports client rights, safety, and health.

Competencies

• Advocacy

• Counseling

• Change Management

• Communication

• Collaboration

• ensures safe, effective, and client-centered care

Communication

• Builds trust through empathy, cultural sensitivity, and clarity.

• Effective interprofessional _______ improves outcomes.

collaboration

• Respects input and expertise of all healthcare team members.

• Promotes comprehensive, coordinated, and safe client care.

2011 report overview

• Called for evolution of nursing roles, responsibilities, and education.

• Goals by 2020:

  • 80% BSN-prepared nurses.

  • Double doctoral-prepared nurses.

  • APRNs to practice at full scope.

  • Nurses in leadership and interprofessional collaboration.

  • Better workplace data collection and diversity in leadership

collaborative health care

• essential for positive outcomes.

• Requires communication, respect, and teamwork across disciplines.

• ensures safe transitions between facilities.

• Reduces duplication, improves efficiency, lowers costs.

Telehealth and nursing

• Expanded during COVID-19, projected to exceed 50% of care by 2030.

• Nursing roles include program development, patient education, monitoring, and case management.

• Requires integration into nursing education and simulation.

• Enhances accessibility and continuity of care.

Nursing shortage

• Projected to last until 2030.

• Causes: ▪ Retirements

  • Growing chronic illnesses

  • Limited faculty and school capacity

  • Aging population

  • Burnout and workplace violence (worsened by COVID-19)

  • Solutions: fair wages, safe workplaces, psychosocial support, education incentives.

healthy people 2030

• National 10-year health objectives.

• Goals: improve life expectancy, reduce infant mortality, combat obesity.

• Focus on disparities, smoking cessation, stress management, vaccination.

• Community-level strategies to address inequities

Impaired nursing

• Nurses face similar prevalence of substance use disorder as the public.

• Risks: access to opioids, job stress, trauma.

• Warning signs: disheveled appearance, isolation, volunteering for narcotic administration.

• ANA Code of Ethics: protect clients, report concerns, ensure treatment.

• Fitness-for-duty assessments and support programs required

Social media

• enhances communication and education but risks privacy violations.

• ANA Code of Ethics: protect client privacy and maintain boundaries.

Cell phones

• access to apps, journals, and patient education.

• Risks: distractions, privacy issues, misuse of photos.

• Facilities should establish clear policies for responsible use.

Opioid epidemic

• Crisis declared a public health emergency.

• Causes: overprescription, street access, addiction risk.

• Strategies (HHS):

  • Expand treatment/recovery services.

  • Naloxone availability.

  • Public health education.

  • Pain/addiction research.

  • Improved pain management practices.