What is a Nurse?

The dictionary defines a "nurse" as:
"A person formally educated and trained in the care of the sick or disabled."

 The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines nursing as:
"The protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations."

 So…what is a nurse really??  Excellent question with so many answers, but here are my Top 5 Things That Define Today’s Nurse:

1. Educated.  Nurses today are smart…really smart.  We go through a lot of schooling to assure the best possible care is provided to all patients.  And, in the state of Pennsylvania, we must complete 30 hours of continuing education programs each time we renew our license (every two years).
2. Compassionate.  Nurses today care not just for the patient, but their family as well.  We work hard to provide the most up-to-date care, while maintaining that personal touch.  We remember that a smile goes a long way, even for someone who is not feeling well.
3. Frugal.  Healthcare is expensive….not a news flash to anyone!  But, did you know that nurses are responsible for saving hundreds, even thousands of dollars for each patient?  Nurses make sure supplies are used appropriately and that staff is used efficiently.  Most importantly, nurses make sure patients get the best possible care to prevent things like bed sores and urinary tract infections.  All this hard work equals healthier patients with quicker discharges, which equals huge cost savings.
4. Present.  Unlike what you see on TV programs, nurses are around 24/7, 365.  When one shift ends another begins.  We are the patient’s eyes and ears for the doctors who round once a day.  We are there, we see it all, we hear it all, we feel it all and we do our best to fix it all.
5. Dedicated.  Our patients are our job, so we don’t just try to do a job…we try do it right,  meaning what’s best for them.  We make sure our patients are medicated, bandaged, bathed, fed, walked and tucked in.  And trust me, no one does it better than me, TODAY’S NURSE, because I care about you, my patient.