Define Expert Nursing Practice

A nurse is a trained health care professional who assists with the care of patients. The difference between a nurse and an expert nurse is that an expert has further training focusing on a particular nursing specialty. All nurses will train in five key areas; however, an expert nurse will specialize in one medical area, such as cardiology, pediatrics or wound healing.

Vital Signs

• An expert nurse will be trained in monitoring a patient before, during and after a physiological assessment. These include monitoring the patient's heart rate, breathing, complaints of pain or noticing unusual symptoms or side effects of medication. An expert nurse in cardiology will work with cardiac patients assisting with heart rate monitoring and health assessments.

Medication

• After surgery or in following up specific doctor instructions, an expert nurse will ensure a patient is given and is taking the prescribed medication. This may relate to further giving injections or administering contraception, such as a sexual health nurse.

Observation

• Monitoring changes in a patient is a key aspect of nursing. An expert nurse will develop this further by specializing in areas such as endoscopy. An endoscopy nurse will be specially trained to care for gastrointestinal problems by using endoscopic equipment, such as small internal cameras to observe a patient.

Infection Control

• Especially after surgery, patients will be exposed to infection. An expert nurse in wound care will monitor wound healing and clean the dressing regularly. The expert nurse will consult with a doctor regarding antibiotics and surgical drains to minimize infection.

Diet

• Patients who suffer from digestive problems will be treated by an expert nurse who has additional knowledge in gastroenterology. The nurse will ensure that a patient has the correct diet and has a health plan to help alleviate ailments. For example, the nurse will ensure a patient avoids food that would worsen her illness.