“A good nurse is a doctor’s right hand.”
– Henrietta Junior
One of the noblest professions out there is the job of a nurse. The nursing profession got momentum after the works of the most eminent nurse, Florence Nightingale came to light however the profession is quite old and possibly the most dignified.
No medical feat or disease can be cured without the service of a nurse. Nurses are that part of the medical community who are not given the amount of recognition and praise that they deserve yet they play one of the most important parts in the recovery of a patient. It is one of the strongest pillars that the medical profession stands on and revolves around taking care of their patient’s physical as well as psychological needs.
Who is a Nurse:
A nurse is a trained medical professional who is responsible for proper care and monitoring of a patient’s health providing support, care and education to patients as well as their families and communities. They work in various settings like facilities, schools and home healthcare agencies, among others.
Origin of Nursing:
The origins of nursing can be traced back to ancient civilizations where individuals provided care for the sick and injured. In ancient Greece, for example, there were temple attendants who were responsible for caring for the sick and injured in the temples. Similarly, in ancient Rome, some male attendants cared for the sick and injured in military hospitals.
However, modern nursing as we know it today began with the work of Florence Nightingale, who is considered the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale was a British nurse who is best known for her work during the Crimean War in the mid-19th century. She and her team of nurses cared for wounded soldiers and made significant improvements to sanitation and healthcare practices, which led to a significant reduction in mortality rates.
Nightingale also established the first formal nursing school, the Nightingale School of Nursing, in London in 1860. Her emphasis on the importance of proper education and training for nurses paved the way for the development of nursing as a recognized profession. Since then, nursing has continued to evolve and expand, with nurses playing a critical role in the delivery of healthcare around the world.
In the United States, nursing began to emerge as a profession in the late 1800s, with the establishment of nursing schools and the development of nursing organizations. The first nursing school in the US was the New England Hospital for Women and Children Training School for Nurses, established in 1872.
Over the years, nursing has continued to evolve and expand, with nurses playing an increasingly critical role in healthcare delivery. Today, nurses work in a wide range of settings, from hospitals and clinics to schools, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. They provide a range of services, from direct patient care to research, education, and advocacy.
Importance of Nursing:
Nursing is a crucial profession that is integral to the healthcare system. Nurses provide critical direct patient care, from administering medication and monitoring vital signs to assisting with activities of daily living and emotional support. They also play a vital role in preventing illness and promoting healthy lifestyle choices by educating patients and their families on health-related topics. Additionally, nurses are advocates for their patients, ensuring that they receive the care they need and deserve. Nurses also conduct research, develop new care methods and protocols, and contribute to advancing the field of healthcare. They serve as leaders in their field, managing and directing teams of healthcare professionals, driving change and innovation, and improving healthcare outcomes for patients. The importance of nursing cannot be overstated, as it is essential to the provision of quality healthcare and the well-being of patients and communities.
Job Description of a Nurse:
Nurses operate as part of a team of professional and medical professionals that includes doctors, social workers and therapists. Much of nurses’ time is spent with patients, monitoring them, planning and giving care, and advising them on their health. Shift work is typical in nursing and are likely to work shifts up to 12 hours, as is a demanding workload.
Typical duties include:
- Assessing patients and gaining their trust.
- Planning and delivering patients’ care.
- Monitoring patients’ progress.
- Taking samples, pulses, temperatures and blood pressures.
- Monitoring and administering medication.
- Writing records.
- Supervising junior staff.
- Organising workloads.
- Providing emotional support to patients and relatives.
- Tutoring student nurses.
- Advising patients and relatives on health-related issues.
Education Qualifications and training required to Become a Nurse:
In India, to become a nurse, one must meet the following educational qualifications and training requirements:
- Education qualifications: The minimum educational qualification to become a nurse is a 10+2 level education with science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology). However, to pursue a career in nursing at a higher level, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing) degree is required.
- BSc Nursing degree: To obtain a BSc Nursing degree, one must complete a four-year undergraduate program in nursing from a recognized institution. The program includes both theoretical and practical training, with an emphasis on nursing theory, patient care, and healthcare systems.
- Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM): Another route to becoming a nurse in India is to obtain a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM). This is a three-year program that provides practical and theoretical training in nursing and midwifery.
- Nursing Council registration: After completing either the BSc Nursing or GNM program, one must register with the State Nursing Council or the Indian Nursing Council to practice as a nurse in India.
- Continuing education: Nursing is a constantly evolving field, and nurses are required to undertake continuing education to maintain their licensure and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in healthcare.
In addition to the above requirements, nursing candidates should have good communication skills, empathy, and a desire to help others. They should also have a strong work ethic, be able to work under pressure, and have excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Skills Required in a Nurse:
To be a successful nurse, one must possess a diverse range of skills, including:
- Strong communication skills: Nurses must have excellent communication skills to effectively interact with patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals.
- Empathy and compassion: Nurses often work with patients who are in distress or experiencing pain, and they must have empathy and compassion to provide emotional support.
- Attention to detail: Nurses must pay close attention to detail and be able to assess patient needs and respond to changing conditions quickly.
- Critical thinking: Nurses must be able to think critically and use sound judgment to provide safe and effective patient care.
- Organizational and time-management skills: Nurses must have excellent organizational and time-management skills to balance patient care, documentation, and administrative tasks.
- Physical stamina: Nurses should have physical stamina and be able to work long hours, sometimes on their feet for extended periods.
- Teamwork and collaboration: Nurses often work in a team environment with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive patient care.
- Continuous learning and professional development: Nurses should be committed to continuous learning and professional development to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in nursing practice.
Overall, nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare system, and the skills they possess are essential to providing quality patient care.
Universities providing the best nursing programs and courses in India:
- Acharaya Institute of Health Science, Bangalore
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
- Christian Medical College, Vellore
- Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
- Armed Forces College, Pune
- NIMS University, Jaipur
- Kasturba Medical College, Manglore
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Research & Education, Pondicherry
- Madras Medical College, Chennai
- King George’s Medical University
Universities providing the best nursing programs and courses globally:
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
- King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
- University of Washington, Seattle, United States
- University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Yale University, New Haven, United States
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hills, United States
- University of Alberto, Edmonton, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- University of California, San Francisco, United States
- University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Colombia University, New York, United States
- Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- New York University, New York, United States
We hope that this article gives you an insight into what nursing as a career option means
