BSN_206

Registered Nurse (RN)

A licensed healthcare professional who provides patient care and support.

Patient Assignment

The list of patients a nurse is responsible for caring for during a shift.

Intravenous (IV) Medications

Medications administered directly into a patient's bloodstream.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

A nurse who provides basic medical care under the supervision of an RN.

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)

Support staff who assist nurses with basic patient care tasks.

Discharge Education

Instructions provided to patients about their care and medications before leaving a healthcare facility.

Health Literacy

The ability of individuals to find, understand, and use health information effectively.

Advocacy

Supporting and promoting a patient’s rights and interests in healthcare.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Integration of clinical expertise, patient values, and the best research evidence into decision-making.

Nursing Process

A systematic method for assessing patient needs and planning care.

Continuing Education

Ongoing learning required for nurses to maintain licensure and stay updated on practices.

Holistic Nursing

Nursing practice that recognizes and addresses the whole person, including physical, emotional, and social factors.

Patient-Centered Care

An approach to care that respects and responds to individual patient preferences, needs, and values.

Nurse Practice Act

A statutory law that regulates the practice of nursing in a given state.

Professional Standards

Guidelines that provide members of a profession with a basis for performance and conduct.

Florence Nightingale

The founder of modern nursing, known for her work in the Crimean War and for emphasizing sanitation.

American Nurses Association (ANA)

A professional organization that establishes standards of practice and advocates for the nursing profession.

International Council of Nurses (ICN)

A federation of more than 130 national nurses associations representing nurses globally.

Self-Care Deficit Theory

A nursing theory by Dorothea Orem that describes when patients cannot meet their own self-care needs.

Collaboration

Working jointly with other healthcare professionals to provide optimal patient care.

Cultural Competence

The ability of healthcare providers to understand, respect, and effectively interact with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Change Agent

A nurse who advocates for and facilitates change in healthcare settings.

Clinical Judgment

The process of making informed decisions about patient care based on assessment and evaluation.

Delegation

The process of assigning responsibility for a task to another person, while retaining accountability.

Patient Goals

Specific objectives set for patient care to guide the nursing process.

Leadership in Nursing

The role nurses play in guiding and influencing others in healthcare settings.

Nursing Theories

Frameworks that guide nursing practice and inform research and education.

Holistic Care

An approach that considers the whole person, addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

Ethical Principles

Standards that guide professional behavior and decision-making in nursing.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

An advanced degree in nursing that prepares nurses for specialized roles.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

A terminal degree focused on clinical practice and leadership in nursing.

Diversity in Nursing

The inclusion of patients from various backgrounds, ensuring respect for cultural differences in care.

Interprofessional Education (IPE)

Education that encourages collaboration among students from different healthcare professions.

Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)

An initiative to prepare future nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for quality and safety in healthcare.