Some even take it to the next level, working on the technology side of the profession to innovate patient care. In the hospital setting, nurses play a vital role in helping patients learn how to make healthy choices at the bedside, understand their doctor’s diagnosis, and how to manage symptoms. © 2020 Roseman University | Today, nursing theory serves as the foundation of nursing. To understand why nurses are so important in healthcare today, we need to look at what they do, from the relationships they foster with patients to the ways in which they work with other practitioners. Our second-degree nursing program makes it possible to earn your BSN degree in as few as 12 months through a combination of online coursework, hands-on labs at our high-tech learning site, and clinical rotations at top local healthcare facilities. Especially in the case of hospital stays, nurses are often the first to uncover a problem, and while notifying the attending physician is standard protocol, there are times when nurses must act immediately to stabilize the patient. The five phases of the nursing process to provide an excellent care to the patients are: For example, for a patient at risk for heart disease, a nurse may encourage regular cholesterol and blood pressure testing while also providing information on the benefits of exercise and a heart-healthy diet. This means being accountable for our practice, work environment, and patient safety. In fact, nurses spend a fair amount of time updating records and communicating pertinent information to the larger care team. Then, after the doctor saw you, the nurse likely returned to talk through any medications the doctor prescribed and to ask if you had any additional questions before helping you check out. With the varied and valuable roles nurses play, ranging from patient advocate to educator to technological innovator, you’re sure to find a place for yourself in this rewarding field. Remember that you are representing more than yourself -- you are also representing the nursing profession as a whole. This important role can take many forms: one-on-one discussions with patients at routine well visits, coordinated campaigns focused on specific health issues or community-based events. There is so much value in a face-to-face interaction. Today, we will be discussing the role of nursing — how it has changed over time and what it is like now — to answer the question, “Why are nurses important in healthcare?”. It is important for nurses to treat a patient's physical ailments as well as … By requesting information, I consent to be contacted by Roseman University through my email, phone, and text using automated technology regarding enrollment. The opportunities that can present themselves through networking are limitless, says Angie Charlet, MHA, BSN, RN, director of quality and educational services for the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network. In a recent study of the time intensive care patients spent with at least one healthcare practitioner, around 86 percent of that time was with nurses, compared to just 13 percent with physicians. It's vital that we maintain this level of trust in our profession with each and every healthcare encounter. Or a nurse might have concerns that a medication is not working as expected and call the pharmacist to talk through it. Nursing Theories & Their Impact on the Nursing Profession. Public health nurses, for example, focus on advocating for and educating communities on preventative health efforts. Give us a call today to find out whether Mercer ABSN is right for you. Part of what makes doctors so good at what they do — their deep scientific knowledge of the field of medicine — can hinder them when it comes to talking to patients in terms a layperson can understand. The truth is you won’t find many more professions more valuable to the healthcare landscape than nursing. Professional nursing organizations support nurses and advance the nursing profession. This may include, but isn’t limited to: It’s not hard to see why nurses are important in healthcare. Today’s nurses embody this same pioneering spirit. (For example, if a patient’s magnesium levels drop to a specified level, the nurse may give the patient magnesium without consulting the doctor.). It finds hospitals with more BSN-prepared nurses on staff have lower patient mortality rates, a shorter average patient stay and reduced healthcare costs.