Changing Role of Nurse

The issues related to nursing involve a thoroughThe differences between the role of the health
examination of nursing as theory and practice.visitor, nurse and midwife in general practice have
The role of the nurse practitioner especially inbeen studied. Social and healthcare policy and
areas of clinical decision making and managementguidelines on clinical governance suggest a
could be studied in the contexts of obstetrics andmultidisciplinary collaborative working approach for
gynaecological department or even emergencyeffective clinical management (Papers4you.com,
wards. The emphasis of most studies is on2006). Collaborative teamwork, holistic
reflective practice using Gibbs (1988) model ofpsychosocial treatment and proper allocation of
treatment and reflection. The need to followclinical resources are some of the issues that are
clinical guidelines as given by NICE or NHS havevery important within intensive care units and for
been emphasised in several studies especiallycare of emergency patients. The ethical and legal
highlighting the importance of personal cleanlinessresponsibilities of a nurse practitioner and the
and hygiene in infection control.The role ofmedical team in general are largely guided by not
informed consent and clinical decision making injust clinical guidelines set by the Department of
case of pregnancy with family history of mentalHealth but also by a team of dedicated health
health problems suggest the central role of theprofessionals within the clinical setting.The issues
challenges in the decision making processdiscussed in the field of nursing include clinical
(Papers4you.com, 2006). The need for counsellinggovernance, collaborative teamwork, the role of
and holistic care of patients have beenthe clinical nurse practitioner, the importance of
emphasised in clinical practice. The role of thereflective practice, Gibbs (1988) Model, clinical
nurse and the importance of proper knowledge ofmanagement and decision making, ethical and legal
clinical guidelines, NHS directives and adequateissues in clinical care and holistic approach to
medical training suggest the crucial responsibility oftreatment.BibliographyBooth J, Davies C. (1991)
the nurse who plays varied roles from that ofThe management of change on a nursing
physician to hospital manager. The studies showdevelopment unit. Nurs Pract.;4(2):12-5.Bowcutt M,
the varied approaches to nursing as in case of aWall J, Goolsby MJ. (2006) The clinical nurse leader:
depressed patient, the emphasis is on counselingpromoting patient-centered outcomes. Nurs Adm
and psychological support whereas in case ofQ. Apr-Jun;30(2):156-61.Gibbs, G. 1988. Learning by
treating a patient with high blood pressure ordoing: a guide to teaching and learning methods.
multiple injuries after accident, reflective practiceLondon: Further Education Unit.Papers For You
on immediate measures followed would be more(2006) "P/N/89. Medical nurse: characteristics,
important, suggesting a focus on patient centeredrequirements, guidelines", Available from [22/06
outcomes (Bowcutt, et al 2006).Clinical2006]Papers For You (2006) "C/N/42. Portfolio of
management is closely related to leadershipthe nurse. Caring for patients suffering from
theories and it is important for the nurse todepression. What is the nurses responsibility?",
develop adequate leadership skills to effectivelyAvailable from [21/06/2006]Copyright 2006
perform clinical duties (Booth and Davies, 1991).Verena Veneeva.