Contemporary Nursing Roles and Career Opportunities

NURSING . . . MUCH THE SAME, BUT BIGGER AND BETTER The proliferation of career opportunities for nurses is growing.

History of Nursing Video Figure 1-2 Harriet Tubman (1820–1913) was known as “The Moses of Her People” for her work with the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War (1861–1865), she nursed the sick and suffering of her own race. (CORBIS Images) Figure 1-3 Sojourner Truth (1797–1883), abolitionist, Underground Railroad agent, preacher, and women’s rights advocate, was a nurse for over 4 years during the Civil War and worked as a nurse and counselor for the Freedmen’s Relief Association after the war. (Randall Studio (1805-1875) Sojourner Truth (c. 1797-18--), abolitionist. Copyright 1870. Photograph, Albumen Silver Print. Copyright National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution/Art Resources, NY.) Figure 1-4 Dorothea Dix (1802–1887) was the Union’s Superintendent of Female Nurses during the Civil War. (CORBIS Images) Figure 1-9 Considered the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) was influential in developing nursing education, practice, and administration. Her publication, Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not, first published in England in 1859 and in the United States in 1860, was intended for all women. (Bettman/CORBIS). Figure 1-10 Clara Barton (1812–1912) organized the American Red Cross, which linked with the International Red Cross when the U.S. Congress ratified the Geneva Convention in 1882. Click here to view a video on the history of nursing. Back to Directory

Evolution of Nursing Practice Women’s roles and status Religious (Christian) values War Societal attitudes Visionary nursing leadership Figure 1-1 The Knights of Saint Lazarus (established circa 1200) dedicated themselves to the care of people with leprosy, syphilis, and chronic skin conditions. From the time of Christ to the mid-13th century, leprosy was viewed as an incurable and terminal disease. (CORBIS Images) Figure 1-5B The “Spirit of Nursing” monument that stands in Section 21, in Arlington National Cemetery honors the nurses who served in the Armed Services in World War I. (Photo by Sherrilyn Coffman, PhD, RN).

Visionary Nursing Leadership Figure 1-2 Harriet Tubman (1820–1913) was known as “The Moses of Her People” for her work with the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War (1861–1865), she nursed the sick and suffering of her own race. (CORBIS Images) Figure 1-3 Sojourner Truth (1797–1883), abolitionist, Underground Railroad agent, preacher, and women’s rights advocate, was a nurse for over 4 years during the Civil War and worked as a nurse and counselor for the Freedmen’s Relief Association after the war. (Randall Studio (1805-1875) Sojourner Truth (c. 1797-18--), abolitionist. Copyright 1870. Photograph, Albumen Silver Print. Copyright National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution/Art Resources, NY.) Figure 1-4 Dorothea Dix (1802–1887) was the Union’s Superintendent of Female Nurses during the Civil War. (CORBIS Images) Figure 1-9 Considered the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) was influential in developing nursing education, practice, and administration. Her publication, Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not, first published in England in 1859 and in the United States in 1860, was intended for all women. (Bettman/CORBIS). Figure 1-10 Clara Barton (1812–1912) organized the American Red Cross, which linked with the International Red Cross when the U.S. Congress ratified the Geneva Convention in 1882.

Visionary Nursing Leadership Figure 1-12 Mary Mahoney (1845–1926) was the first African American trained nurse. (Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library). Figure 1-13 Lillian Wald (1867–1940) founded the Henry Street Settlement and Visiting Nurse Service (circa 1893), which provided nursing and social services and organized educational and cultural activities. She is considered the founder of public health nursing. (Copyright National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution/Art Resources, NY). Figure 1-14 Nursing leader and suffragist Lavinia L. Dock (1858–1956) was active in the protest movement for women’s rights that resulted in the U.S. Constitution amendment allowing women to vote in 1920. (Courtesy of Teachers College, Columbia University). Figure 1-15 Nurse activist Margaret Sanger, considered the founder of Planned Parenthood, was imprisoned for opening the first birth control information clinic in Baltimore in 1916. (Bettman/CORBIS).

Recipients of Nursing Consumer Patient Client

Scope of Nursing Practice Promotion of health and wellness Prevention of illness Restoration of health Care for the dying

Nurse Practice Acts Common purpose Legal acts Regulate practice Jurisdiction specific

Standards of Nursing Practice ANA: Standards of Professional Performance Specialty nursing organizations

Roles and Functions of Nurses Figure 1-17 Nurses practice in a variety of settings. Clockwise from top left: pediatric nursing, operating room nursing, geriatric nursing, home nursing, and community nursing.

Roles and Functions of Nurses Change agent Leader Manager Case manager Research consumer Caregiver Communicator Teacher Client and advocate Counselor

Change Agent When nurses first adopted the role of "change agent," few individuals visualized to what extent nurses would fulfill this role. nurses have expanded their role as change agents in many ways. The profession continues to identify client and health care delivery problems, assess their motivation and capacity for change, determine alternatives, explore possible outcomes of the alternatives, and assess cost-effective resources in infinite health-related situations.

Leader and Manager The leadership role of the professional nurse is paramount to the health care system. Nursing leadership varies according to the level of application and includes: Improving the health status and potential of individuals or families. Increasing the effectiveness and level of satisfaction among professional colleagues providing care. Managing multiple resources in a health care facility. Raising citizens' and legislators' attitudes toward and expectations of the nursing profession and the health care system.

Leader and Manager There is little doubt that the management role of the nurse has become more important. Nursing management includes planning; giving direction; and monitoring and evaluating. Nursing care of individuals, groups, families, and communities.

Researcher The majority of researchers in nursing are prepared at the doctoral and postdoctoral levels, an increasing number of clinicians with master's degrees are beginning to participate in research as part of their advanced practice role.

Researcher Nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and associate degree levels are also participating in research. These nurses may be assisting with data collection, critiquing research findings, and using these findings in practice. More nursing interventions are based on nursing research than in the past.

Coordinator of the Transdisciplinary Health Care Team Transdisciplinary teams consist of collaborative practice relationships among several disciplines of health care professionals. The disciplines include nursing, medicine, pharmacy, nutrition, social work, and other allied health professionals such as physical therapists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists.

Transdisciplinary health care team The term transdisciplinary health care team may not be as familiar as the term multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary team. Multidisciplinary health care teams consist of many disciplines involved in meeting client care needs. Interdisciplinary teams refer to coordination between and among disciplines involved in providing client care.

Transdisciplinary health care team Client education is another area in which collaboration and disciplines working together are absolutely essential. Health care professionals must understand one another's contributions to client education and ensure that the information clients and families receive is consistent and complete. This will lead to the best possible health outcomes for clients and families.

Expanded Career Roles Nurse practitioner Nurse administrator Clinical nurse specialist Nurse educator Nurse anesthetist Nurse midwife Nurse researcher

Research Note!

Criteria of a Profession Prolonged, specialized education Orientation toward service Ongoing research Code of ethics Autonomy Professional organization

Benner’s Stages of Nursing Expertise

Critical Values of Nursing Code of ethics Standards Nurse practice acts NSNA’s Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct

National and International Nursing Organizations American Nurses Association (ANA) Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) National League for Nursing (NLN) National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) International Council of Nurses (ICN) National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society

Resources Other PowerPoint presentations Evidence based practice Turning Research into Practice (TRIP) Audio Glossary

Resources American Nurses Association Code of Ethics This site defines the Code of Ethics and offers the nurse the opportunity to purchase the Code with Interpretative Statements. Maryland Health Care Commission This site defines DRGs and pertinent administrative billing terms. Nursing World This site posts a press release on the current nursing shortage. The site offers mechanisms to alleviate the current nursing shortage. Tribute to Virginia Henderson Virginia Henderson is an important historical nursing figure. She has left her imprint on modern nursing. American Holistic Nurses Association This is the official Web site for the AHNA.

Resources From Novice to Expert Discussion on Patricia Benner's From Novice to Expert theory US Society: Census and Demographics This site describes the U.S. population, age, racial and ethnic composition, and population growth. National League for Nurses Web Site This site defines the role of the NLN. American Association of the Colleges of Nursing This site defines the roles of the AACN.

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