5 Things You Didn’t Know Nurses Do for You

Whether you’re in the hospital for an injury or are going into labor, nurses are one of the main people who will tend to your needs with your treatment. Most people assume that nurses simply handle bed pans or check blood pressure, but the professionals have a long list of duties to perform behind the scenes. As one of the most difficult roles to perform in the healthcare industry, there are a few things you didn’t know that nurses do for you. [no_toc]

1. We order supplies and maintain inventory levels.

RN’s often perform non-clinical duties that include ordering supplies to maintaining adequate inventory levels at their stations. Nurses are often the ones who are most aware of what is needed for the patients and must determine what products and tools need to be delivered in specific quantities.

2. We bathe patients when they are physically unable to do so.

When patients are too ill or injured to bathe themselves, this requires the nurses to perform the task to maintain proper hygiene for the individual. If personal hygiene is not maintained, it can lead to infections that develop. This can also include cutting the patients’ hair and helping them to get dressed each day.

3. We help patients that need assistance with their diets and eating food.

A loss of appetite is common for patients who are admitted for an illness or disease. Nurses will often be required to feed the individuals and convince them to take a few bites to maintain their health and nutrition.

4. We communicate with other associated health care professionals consistently for higher patient care quality.

According to the University of San Francisco School of Nursing, which offers an online masters of nursing program, clinical nurse leaders must communicate on a regular basis with other healthcare professionals to improve the quality of patient care. Without proper communication to social workers or nurse practitioners, patients can suffer both physically and mentally. Their care must also be planned well by the nurse to increase their chances of a good outcome.

5. We provide entertainment to patients that are bored to sustain enjoyable environment.

Although it may not be in their job description, nurses are often asked to provide entertainment to patients who may become bored in their rooms. This can include reading, turning the television channel, and playing board games to maintain the patients’ mental well-being.

Nurses are often required to remain flexible in their positions and wear many different hats to perform their job well and provide proper care to the patients. The most qualified nurses are often those who are willing to go to extreme lengths to care for patients and ensure that they can recover in a shorter timeframe.