Think back to a time when you suddenly fell ill and went to the hospital or to see a doctor. Before the doctor saw you, who would come up to you, smile and talk to you, listen to your details, check your temperature, and check your blood pressure? Yes, that's the nurse we all affectionately call "nurse lady" or "nurse man." They are truly the backbone of our healthcare system.
Who is this nurse really?
Simply put, a nurse is a trained and licensed healthcare professional who works with the rest of the medical team to care for you, whether you're healthy, have a minor cold, or are dealing with a serious illness that can last for years.
Just think, they are not just people who give medicine and give injections. They do much more than that. This service includes many things, such as giving comfort to a patient, understanding their pain, and explaining the disease in simple terms.
Nurses work in various places.
- In government and private hospitals
- In doctors' private clinics
- In long-term care facilities
- In sick rooms in schools
- Nurses even work in some institutions.
The duties of a nurse can vary greatly depending on their training, education, and specialization. Some nurses care for young children or children with complex medical conditions. Others care for adults with specific conditions, such as heart disease or cancer. There are nurses who assist doctors in operating rooms. There are also specialized nurses who provide comfort and care for patients at the end of their lives. Highly trained nurses sometimes work as primary care providers, like your family doctor.
So what is nursing?
Nursing is a health profession dedicated to caring for people of all ages, at all stages of life, and in all settings. Nurses primarily do the following:
- Promotes health: Educates you on how to stay healthy before you get sick.
- Helps prevent diseases: Things like vaccinations and teaching about health habits help reduce the incidence of diseases.
- Caring for sick, disabled, or dying people: Providing necessary medical care and psychological support in any illness.
People often say that nursing is both a science and an art. That's because nurses use scientific methods to collect personal observations about each patient. They know that blood reports and X-ray reports are important. But they also understand that it's also very important to talk to the patient and find out how they're feeling and what they think about their illness.
Are there different types of nurses?
Yes. Nurses can be divided into major categories based on their level of education and training. Although this classification is commonly used in countries like America, there are nursing officers with different levels of responsibilities in Sri Lanka as well. Let's understand that concept.
1. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs): They perform basic medical tasks. For example, checking vital signs such as temperature, pulse, and blood pressure, and dressing wounds. They usually work under the supervision of a doctor or registered nurse (RN).
2. Registered Nurses (RNs): They have more responsibilities than an LPN. They do things like physically examining a patient and working with the doctor to create a care plan for the patient. We most often encounter these types of nursing officers in a hospital.
3. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs): These are those who have completed a master's degree in nursing after completing a bachelor's degree. Because of this advanced training, they can take on more responsibilities, such as ordering diagnostic tests and diagnosing certain conditions. Nurse Practitioners are a good example of this. In some countries, they work as primary care providers, similar to your family doctor.
Nursing Specialists
Advanced practice nurses (RNs and APRNs) can specialize in a specific patient group or type of care. They do this by gaining experience on the job and sometimes passing specialized exams to become certified.
The table below shows some of these specialist nursing services. This will give you an idea of how broad the nursing service is.
| Field of expertise | The task is simple. |
|---|---|
| Emergency Treatment Unit Nurse (ETU Nurse) | Caring for patients who come to the hospital's ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) with accidents or urgent medical conditions. |
| Intensive Care Unit Nurse (ICU Nurse) | Closely caring for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who are in a life-threatening condition. |
| Pediatric Nurse | Providing specialized care for the medical conditions of infants and young children. |
| Oncology Nurse | Providing specialized services in the treatment and care of patients suffering from cancer. |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Nurse | Caring for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecological diseases. |
| Operating Room Nurse | Providing necessary care to the patient and assisting the surgeon before, during, and after surgery. |
How to become a nurse in Sri Lanka?
The journey to becoming a nurse will vary depending on the path you choose, but in general, to become a nurse in Sri Lanka, you need to follow these steps.
- Passing the Advanced Level: Generally, it is mandatory to pass the Bio Science stream well in the Advanced Level examination.
- Admission to nursing training: Based on the A/L results, one must be selected for government nursing schools or universities that offer a nursing degree. Government nursing schools have a three-year diploma course, while universities have a four-year degree course.
- Obtaining a Nursing License: After successfully completing training, you need to register with the Sri Lanka Nursing Council (SLNC) and obtain a license to legally practice as a nurse in Sri Lanka.
This journey is not easy. It requires great dedication, patience, and a sincere desire to help people.
You've probably been served by a nurse at least once in your life. Maybe it was during a routine checkup when your blood pressure was checked. Or maybe it was when you were afraid to have an operation and you were making up your mind. Chances are, the one who took you in and cared for you from the moment you were born was a nurse.
Nurses are heroes who touch our lives in so many ways, constantly learning new things, working with new technologies, and sometimes being on the front lines of healthcare, caring for patients who are between life and death. So, the next time you meet a nurse, don't hesitate to ask or talk about your health concerns. They will be more than happy to listen to you and provide you with the help you need.
Take-Home Message
- A nurse is not just someone who gives medicine; she or he is a trained health professional who cares about the physical and mental well-being of the patient.
- Nursing is both a science and an art. As well as looking at reports, listening to the patient is also very important.
- There are nurses who have gained expertise in various fields, from the pediatric ward, to the operating room, to the intensive care unit (ICU).
- Nurses are an essential member of the medical team. They act as an important bridge between the doctor and the patient.
- Never be afraid to discuss any questions or concerns you have about your health with a nurse.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න