What are the daily duties of a nurse?
Morning Duties:
1. Patient Handoff: Nurses receive a detailed report from the previous shift's nurses about each patient's condition, progress, and any pertinent information.
2. Vital Sign Monitoring: Nurses take and document vital signs such as temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation levels for all assigned patients.
3. Medication Administration: Nurses administer prescribed medications and treatments as per physician's orders, ensuring accurate dosage, timing, and proper documentation.
4. Patient Assessment and Monitoring: Nurses continuously monitor patients for changes in their condition, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and report any concerns to the physician.
5. Personal Care: Nurses assist patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, oral care, and personal hygiene, especially for those with limited mobility or who are critically ill.
6. Wound Care: Nurses assess, clean, dress, and monitor wounds as per the doctor's instructions to promote healing and prevent infection.
7. Patient Education: Nurses provide patients and their families with education about their conditions, medications, and self-care measures to support recovery and well-being.
8. Communication with Physicians and Other Healthcare Professionals: Nurses communicate regularly with physicians, pharmacists, physical therapists, and other healthcare team members to ensure coordinated care and address any patient concerns.
9. Housekeeping and Equipment Care: Nurses ensure that patient rooms are clean and organized, and that medical equipment is properly functioning and sanitized.
10. Documentation: Accurate documentation of all nursing interventions, patient observations, and outcomes is crucial for continuity of care and patient safety.
Afternoon and Evening Duties:
1. Continued Patient Monitoring: Nurses continue to closely monitor patients' vital signs, medication responses, and overall condition throughout the day and evening.
2. Meal Service: Nurses assist patients with meals and special diets as prescribed, helping those who require assistance to eat safely and comfortably.
3. Pain Management: Nurses assess and manage patients' pain levels, administering pain medication or employing alternative pain management techniques as appropriate.
4. Patient Advocacy: Nurses advocate for their patients' rights, preferences, and well-being, ensuring informed consent, respect for privacy, and compassionate care.
5. Comfort and Emotional Support: Nurses provide emotional support to patients and their families, offering comfort, empathy, and a listening ear during challenging times.
6. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Nurses collaborate with other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care plans, identify potential risks, and resolve any patient-related concerns collectively.
7. Bedside Procedures: Nurses perform various procedures as needed, such as catheter care, injections, blood sampling, and monitoring medical devices.
8. Family Updates and Communication: Nurses communicate regularly with patients' families, providing updates on their loved one's condition and answering any questions or concerns they may have.
9. End of Shift Handoff: Nurses prepare detailed reports for the incoming shift, ensuring that all relevant patient information, including progress, medications, and any special considerations, are accurately documented.
Please note that the specific daily duties of a nurse may vary depending on the healthcare setting (e.g., hospital, clinic, long-term care facility) and the patients' individual needs.