Nurses have an incredibly important role in providing quality healthcare services to people in need. Registered nurses, in particular, have a wide range of duties and responsibilities, ranging from direct patient care to administrative and leadership roles. In terms of direct patient care, a registered nurse performs a variety of functions, such as assessing the patient and developing a plan of care; educating patients about their condition and what they need to do to stay healthy; administering medicine or treatments; monitoring the effectiveness of treatments and medications; and providing wound care and physical therapy. Registered nurses are also heavily involved in providing emotional and psychological support to patients, especially those dealing with terminal illnesses.
They often coordinate with patients and their families, helping them to understand their options and make important decisions. In addition to direct patient care, registered nurses also fill leadership roles within healthcare organizations. They may be involved in developing new procedures and policies, assessing staffing needs, overseeing the performance of other nurses, coordinating with other departments, and acting as a liaison between the hospital and the public.
