The Role of a Nurse As a Patient Educator

No matter what your medical issue, problem or concern, if you enter into the health care system, you're going to be in contact with a nurse. Besides performing direct patient care, nurses are now increasingly recognized for their critical roles as patient educators.

The Facts

• Nurses make up the largest group of health care professionals in the United States, holding 2.5 million jobs in 2008. Nurses are liaisons between physicians and patients, and as such are charged with the responsibility to educate their patients about managing illnesses, conditions and injuries, and maintaining health.

Understanding Illness

• Education is a recognized method for increasing patient empowerment. Nurses help patients and their families understand both the illness and the treatment options available.

Managing Chronic Conditions

• Nurses assist patients in the maintenance of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, by teaching patients applicable skills such as how to monitor blood sugar levels or self-administer medications. Better-educated patients are more likely to comply with chronic condition treatment regimens.

Diet and Exercise

• Maintaining or improving health is an important goal in patient education. Nurses are trained to counsel patients on nutrition and fitness programs for optimizing health.

Public Health

• Public health nurses provide a point of contact for educating the public about vaccinations and controlling or preventing infectious outbreaks in health care, work and school settings.