The Relationship between the Doctor or Physician and the Nurses - Research Paper Example

? Nursing Role This paper lays out the outline of the nursing role. The introduction brings into perspective the growth that the nursing profession has experienced and the challenges that led to such leaps in the society. It further focuses on the relationship change between the doctor or physician and the nurses over time. The nursing profession encompasses many specializations. In order to understand the outlined roles, the various specializations must come to focus. This outline, therefore, elucidates the specific divisions and specializations of the nursing profession and the relevant duties to those specializations. The outline also focuses on the two main roles of the nurses, which are a helping role and a teaching and coaching role. These are further composed of various aspects that facilitate the running of the profession. The helping role encompasses the roles of a nurturer, and a direct caregiver. On the other hand, the teaching and coaching role is wider and encompasses aspects such as nurses as agents of change, managers, teachers, counselors and researchers. Further, the outline also brings into focus the aspect the nurse being a champion of the patients’ rights and needs. The nurse becomes the principal care provider for the patient in the hospital. Further, the nurses inform patients of their rights and helps in enforcing and safeguarding those rights. Introductory Paragraph In the past, around the mid-1800s, nurses used to be viewed as the subordinates, or handmaiden, to the doctors. Their roles were remarkably few and majorly involved doing what the physician ordered. Such included looking after patients in the hospitals, straightening beds, feeding the patients, aiding the patients with the bandages and helping the patients find their way around hospitals. Nevertheless, a lot has changed since the mid-1800s. Today, nurses are professionals who have their own roles; separate and different professional roles from doctors. Doctors still write the orders as they did before. However, a nurse gets expected to know when such an order, dosage or a medication are wrong so as to follow the necessary procedures to indulge the physicians on such orders. Further, a nurse has nursing duties that involve assessment, coming up with a nursing plan, family and patient education, medication teaching, dressing changes among others. All these nursing roles fall under two main categories, which are a helping role and a teaching and coaching role. The Helping Role This is the most essential role of the nursing profession and is considered the traditional role. A number of things fall under this role and collectively facilitate the functioning of the nursing professionals. This role gets manifested in two distinct ways. These are the roles of nurses as nurtures and direct care givers. This care is directed to the human body. The Biblical reference to this role is 1 Cor. 6:19. This scripture reference talks about the body being the temple of God and thus, taking care of it is an imperative. Text Description The helping role is one of the most prominent roles of the nurses in the hospital set up. This role is patient-oriented. The nurse serves as a nurturer of the patient. Further, the nurse is responsible for providing all the necessities of the patients throughout their stay at the hospital. In addition to this, due the extensive interaction of the nurse and the patients, the nurse comforts the patient during their hospitalization. The nurses offer direct care to the patient. Further, they promote the comfort of the client, who is the patient. This role is best made manifested by the mothering actions relevant from the nurses. Such activities involve the knowledge and sensitivity to the matters that are relevant to the clients. In essence, the nursing roles are meant to show concern for the patient welfare. Further, the nursing roles take into account the need for the acceptance of the patient as a person. References Journal of Advanced Nursing,Volume 68, Issue 3, pages 614–624, March 2012 Journal of Clinical Nursing,Volume 19, Issue 11-12, pages 1485–1494, June 2010 Christian Worldview Christian worldview of this nursing role is that it is embedded in caring. It suggests a nurse’s duty of care to the patient should come naturally and must be executed with love. In essence, nursing practice is an embodiment of the Christian doctrine of love and care for one’s neighbors. Christian worldview of this aspect of helping is made manifest by providing comfort for the less fortunate in society. The body is the “temple of the Holy Spirit”. Christians are implored to take care of their bodies and be there for those who need their help, and as nurses realize, the patients are in dire need of help concerning the pain they suffer. The disciples preached a duty of care to the Christian community, and this includes comforting the sick and the weak in the society. Scriptures 1 Corinthians 6: 19 James 2: 1-4 James 2:15-18 Teaching and Coaching Functions This is the widest and far-reaching role in the nursing profession in terms of aspects covered and relevant to patient care and the patient’s family. Nonetheless, this category features more than the societal expectation of the nursing profession and involves a number of activities undertaken by the nurses. Teaching The nurses play a vital role in the movement of information within the hospital. A nurse provides the necessary information and aids the patient to learn or gain additional knowledge and technical skills in a given situation. Text Description This further encompasses the nurse’s job to encourage the patient to comply with the prescription therapy administered. Such nurses also get involved in promoting a healthy lifestyle in the population. In addition to this, nurses help interpret information to the patient for better understanding and enhancing compliance in the process. Apart from the teaching role, nurses also play a role as counselors, patient advocates, change agents, managers and researchers. References Journal of Advanced Nursing,Volume 68, Issue 3, pages 624-632, March 2012 International Nursing Review,Volume 58, Issue 4, page 404, December 2011 Christian Worldview One biblical illustration of the need for information is the literal interpretation of the scripture which suggests that God’s people perish due to lack of knowledge; Though this text has a deeply embedded interpretation it is relevant to the Christian community that someone takes this responsibility to inform persons of their own welfare. Scriptures Hosea 4:6 Counseling A nurse plays the role of a friend and helps the patient to have cognition of and cope with situations of psychological stress and other social problems. In this way, a nurse aids the patient to develop and improve the interpersonal relationships and, therefore, promote or strengthen personal growth. This, in essence, is the sole role of a counselor. Text Description The nurse provides support for the patient; emotional, psychological and intellectual. Further, the nurse encourages patients to act and live responsibly by weighing their options exceptionally well before making choices and above all, practice of self-control. The nurse focuses to helping the patient develop attitudes, behaviors and feelings that are new and promote intellectual growth. Reference Journal of Clinical Nursing,Volume 19, Issue 11-12, page 1485, June 2010 International Nursing Review,Volume 58, Issue 4, page 404, December 2011 Christian Worldview The Biblical references that speak about friendship include and. These give an overview of the friendly counsel during tough times. Just as the Bible encourages confession to one another in repentance and remission of burdens the nurses provide a means by which the patients let go of their trouble by sharing bringing it to light. The nurse counsels and brings to life this Christian doctrine. Scriptures Philippians 2:19-30 Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Patient Advocate This nursing role involves bringing about change by expressing concern for and acting on behalf of the patient. As much as this role may seem obvious, it does not come easy and involves discipline of purpose and diligence in service. Text Description First, the nurse has to promote what is in the interest of the patient. Further, the nurse ensures the patient’s needs are met and guards the patient’s rights. This role of making things right whenever there is a mishap has Biblical references. Reference Journal of Advanced Nursing,Volume 68, Issue 3, pages 614–618, March 2012 Christian Worldview Christians agree that this role comes in handy, especially when the clients or patients do not recognize what their rights are and, therefore, cannot pursue them. In such cases, the nurse gets involved in providing explanations to patients, in their own language. Further, the nurses should support the patient decisions. Scriptures Romans 12: 9-11. Change Agents The nurses have an enormous role as change agents in the hospital system, healthcare and the society. This role involves the initiation of change or assisting the patients to make modifications in their lifestyles and in the healthcare system. Text Description This is made manifest by the fact that, among those who interact with patients in the hospital, nurses are the most frequent and stay longer. This interaction is a duty of care. In addition to this, the nurses influence the lifestyle of patients by opening their minds to new and better lifestyles. In most cases, patients realize that minor changes in their lifestyles make a significant difference. In such cases, from a positive effect, the transformed patients go into society and promote this newly found information and make a difference in the society. The fact that these cascades are initiated by the nurses suggests that they are not only caregivers, but also agents of change in the society. Reference Journal of Advanced Nursing,Volume 68, Issue 3, pages 620–624, March 2012 International Nursing Review,Volume 58, Issue 4, page 404, December 2011 Christian Worldview Christians are implored to be “salt of the world”. This involves the provision of positive change to the society and, by initiating such changes in the society; the nurses influence their society and the world as a whole. Scriptures Romans 12: 9-11. Managers The nurses make decisions, facilitate the allocation of resources within the healthcare system, and coordinate the activities of other personnel. Further, the nurses are the importance in evaluating the kind of care relevant for both the patient as well as the personnel. Such a role requires the concept of working together to achieve a given purpose. Text Description In addition to these, the nurse plans the activities in the hospital system, provides direction for all other personnel and aid in the developing of staff attitude and undertakings. These managerial roles also facilitate the monitoring of operations in the system. Nurses also act as a benchmark for proper rewards that represent both staff and administration whenever necessary. This explains the unity of purpose for a common goal or objective. References Journal of Clinical Nursing,Volume 19, Issue 11-12, pages 1485–1494, June 2010 International Nursing Review,Volume 58, Issue 4, page 404, December 2011 Christian Worldview Christians are encouraged to be good managers since success of an endeavor is easily determined by the type of leadership. They are drawn to Nehemiah who managed to rally up the people of Israel, as a manager would, to build the wall around the city of Jerusalem. Scripture Nehemiah 3:1-17 Researchers This nursing role sees the nurse participate in identifying significant challenges that are researchable and relevant to patient care. The nurses involve themselves in both the scientific investigation as well as the consumption of the relevant research findings. Text Description Nurses have to be aware with regard to the research process and the language used in the research. Nurses must also be sensitive to the issues pertinent to the protection of the right of individuals. This role shows commitment to achievement References Journal of Clinical Nursing,Volume 19, Issue 11-12, pages 1485–1494, June 2010 International Nursing Review,Volume 58, Issue 4, page 404, December 2011 Christian Worldview Christians agree that such roles make nursing a fundamental profession about the wellbeing of the society today, and in achieving the best, they serve and give back to the society. Scriptures Romans 12:6-8. References Shelly, J. A. & Miller, A. B. (2009). Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. Hickmann, J. S. (2010). Faith Community Nursing. Crawfordsville: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Chism, L. A. (2010). The Doctor of Nursing Practice: A Guidebook for Role Development and Practice. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Bible. Revised Standard Version. National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Read More