What Are the Five Pillars of Nursing?

Nursing is a profession within the health-care industry with trained professionals working to tend to the needs of the sick. They help maintain or restore health to adults and children or provide preventative care services. Nurses learn to work under the supervision of licensed physicians and have a number of responsibilities depending on their work environment, level of skills and nature of experience. Five pillars established within the nursing field supply professionals with a basis of job fundamentals.

Clinical Practice

• Clinical practice, the first pillar of nursing, requires training nurses to continue their educational studies in a hands-on instructional work environment. Clinical practice takes place under the supervision of university program faculty, medical facilities (hospitals or clinics) and licensed medical professionals. Depending on the area of nursing the candidate is pursing, clinic practice times will vary and are a requirement for registered nursing licenses. Nurses work with patients, apply classroom techniques and follow the direction of a physician to get prepared to work within their field of study.

Administration

• Nurses working in the administration branch of the field advocate on behalf of organizations in the health-care industry. Nurses within nursing administration are concerned with giving patient nurses the supplies needed to provide satisfactory nursing services to their charges.

Research

• Research provides nurses with valuable and pertinent information needed to better do their jobs. Constant updates in technology require research and effectiveness to treat patients. New medical techniques, drugs and disease research help to identify the processes within the industry that are working and to flag the procedures that are outdated or don't provide favorable outcomes to patients. Research also assists nurses in changing methods of treatment and work procedures for future nursing professionals.

Education

• Education is a necessary component of the health care and nursing profession. Nurses receive initial training and education to get into the field and to receive credentials to work within a medical environment. However, ongoing professional education is required to keep nursing professionals abreast on new developments in medicine, drugs, technologies, procedures, rules and regulations to ensure the best care possible to patients. Current nurses mentor and share knowledge with the new colleagues to ensure their success in the field.

Policy

• Nurses work to change policy by advocating for the profession, health-care reform and social policies. Nurses in positions of influence within the field act as the voice of the profession in order to produce change and better health-care policies for the nurses who provide the care and the patients who receive it.