Undoubtedly, the work of doctors is noble, restoring sick people to health and saving them from death. No less important is the work of nurses. The foundations of nursing were laid back in the XI century and over the years underwent many changes. But still the main postulate remains unshakable - the ability of nurses to help the patient with all their strength to recover, and the incurable - to die without pain.
The most famous nurse
It is believed that the nurse was founded by the Englishwoman Florence Nightingale. Indeed, she did an incredible amount to properly organize the work of the medical staff. The activities of Florence and her associates in hospitals during the Crimean War helped to reduce mortality among the wounded from 42 to a little more than 2 percent. This is an amazing result! It was achieved thanks to the introduction of aseptic rules in the wards, especially in postoperative and severe patients. In memory of this wonderful woman, a medal of her name was approved, which is considered the highest award to modern nurses, and Florence's birth date (May 12) is now celebrated as an International Holiday - Nurse's Day. There is even the so-called Nightingale Syndrome, which consists in the appearance in the medical staff of feelings not related to professional activity to their wards.
First Nursing Steps in Pediatrics and Surgery
No matter how great the merit of Florence Nightingale, the practice of working as medical or, as they said, nurses of mercy existed long before her. As early as the 11th century, the first societies of women to care for the sick appeared. History remembers the name of Elizabeth Tyurinengsky, who, at her own expense, built a hospital and organized a community of Elizabethans to help sick people, including lepers (with symptoms of leprosy, which was considered incurable and so contagious that even relatives refused the accident). She also built a children's shelter, where they looked after sick orphans. This can be considered the first "swallow" of nursing in pediatrics.
In the same Crimean War, regardless of Nightingale's activities, the nursing business of our domestic nurses was fairly well organized, as the famous Pavlov repeatedly mentioned. They not only carried the wounded from the battlefield, but also independently conducted operations, applied bandages, carried out treatment and controlled medications. Currently, the nursing business of operating nurses includes new functions, but its basis - providing effective treatment for operable patients - has remained the same.
The work of current nurses
In the modern world, new medical technologies appear every year, medical processes are improved, and more effective drugs are created. Each nurse must be aware of all these changes in order to adequately fulfill their professional duties. To do this, seminars and continuing education courses are regularly organized at hospitals and clinics. The specialty "Nursing" can be obtained at a medical school or college. The following categories of nurses exist:
- ward;
- guard;
- operating room;
- procedural;
- precinct;
- dietary.
Each of the above positions has its own specifics, the knowledge of which is obtained in the process of training and practical training. Upon graduation, a certificate is issued. "Nursing" is the name of the specialty, and in addition to it, specialization is indicated.
Operating nurse
The chief physician of the medical institution appoints this position. Only persons with a medical education no lower than average who have completed practical training in operating rooms and dressings can apply for it. Nursing in surgery is extremely responsible. The main functions here are complete preparation for the operation, and during its implementation, the implementation of the instructions of the surgeons. The professionalism of the nurse protects the patient from surgical infections and the trouble-free work of doctors.
Preparation for surgery consists in sterilizing surgical instruments according to aseptic requirements and placing them on a nursing table. Bathrobes, gloves, sheets are also sterilized. It is the responsibility of the operating nurse to provide the surgeons with the necessary sterile material (bandages, cotton swabs, suture threads, antiseptics, other necessary medicines) and to check the condition of the medical equipment.
Responsibilities during surgery
Nursing in surgery is not only responsible, but also unusually complex. The operating nurse is required to have an absolute idea of the course of the upcoming operation in order to prepare for it without a single mistake. Even the order in which she placed the tools on her desk is important, because the surgeon focuses all his attention on his manipulations at the incision site and is not distracted by such trifles as telling his sister which object to give him. She should know this herself, as well as be able to serve the instrument without violating its sterility. Choosing the optimal size of the needle, the desired thickness and length of the suture thread and checking its strength are also functions of the operating nurse. At the end of the working process, her duties include examining all instruments, sending them for sterilization and preparing the patient for transportation to the ward.
Skills and abilities
In some cases, the operating nurse helps the surgeon as an assistant. Nursing in such situations consists in the production of manipulations that ensure the normal course of the surgical process. The nurse should be able to do a blood transfusion, insert and remove drainage, catheters, perform actions to stop bleeding, apply and remove sutures, assist the doctor in conducting endoscopic examinations, take punctures, monitor the sending of material taken from the patient for further research, and process it surgically purulent and inflamed wounds, apply bandages and plaster.
Functions of ward and procedural nurses
Of course, the patient’s recovery depends not only on how well the work is done in the operating room. Nursing is in further care for the sick. Perform his ward nurses. They provide patient hygiene, monitor wound healing, comply with doctors' instructions, give droppers, give injections, give medicines, measure blood pressure and temperature, together with a dietary nurse, ensure proper nutrition and monitor the work of nurses in the ward to ensure all sanitary standards.
It is the responsibility of the procedural nurses to keep the treatment room clean and all instruments and materials needed to operate in a sterile condition. Of course, they must be able to perform all types of injections, take blood for analysis, and prepare the patient for infusion therapy. To become a ward or procedural nurse, it is enough to complete special courses, after which exams are passed and a certificate is issued.
Work with children
If the patient in the hospital is a child, working with him has its own nuances. This pediatric nursing is significantly different from other categories. Small patients can not always clearly tell about their condition. Many of them do not know how to care for themselves, suffer from urinary incontinence. Children's psyche is very vulnerable and sensitive to any negative manifestation on the part of adults. Therefore, ward nurses in children's wards should be attentive, kind, responsive and patient. Their responsibilities include:
- daily hygiene procedures for each baby;
- washing children after an act of defecation;
- change of bed linen if the child urinated in bed;
- feeding small and weakened children;
- preparation for injections so as not to cause fear in the child in advance, and during their conduct, the ability to distract and calm the baby;
- constant control over the state of their little wards.
A kind and affectionate attitude is not indicated in the job description, but these qualities in working with children are no less necessary than professionalism.
District Nurses
Nursing in pediatrics is not limited only to work in hospitals. Of great importance is the activity of nurses in clinics. Their responsibilities include helping the doctor at the receptions of sick and healthy children, maintaining documentation for each child, registering dispensary patients and promptly inviting them for follow-up examinations, writing prescriptions and certificates, providing the doctor with the necessary medical material. Together with the doctor, district nurses carry out the patronage of newborns and infants according to the existing standard schedule, as well as older children and toddlers, as the need arises. In addition, the responsibilities of children's nurses include working with parents, conducting preventive interviews to protect children from infectious and other diseases.