Nurses Make a Difference
May 10, 2023 | General, Kline Galland Staff
Some of the most influential individuals in health care have been nurses. A quick list includes luminaries like Florence Nightingale, who created the first science-based nursing school in the world, and Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross; it also includes trailblazers like Sojourner Truth, who promoted nurse training for African American freed women.
Perhaps the most impactful nurses are the 4 million-plus friendly faces who serve day-to-day in the United States. Being a nurse can mean doing a lot of different activities, from ensuring an individual’s accurate diagnosis to educating the public on critical health issues. Whatever the actual duties, nurses commit to caring for and helping patients throughout their health journey.
To celebrate Nurses’ Month, here are the nurses who typically are part of a senior care team and what they do.
Registered nurses (RNs) are considered the foundation of the profession because they provide critical care wherever needed. Frequently, RNs fill supervisory positions and work closely with the medical doctor. RNs may perform before making significant decisions, help education and counsel for better outcomes, administer medications or other care interventions, and collaborate with the entire care team from a variety of specialties. In caring for the elderly, RNs are typically responsible for the overall care including developing care plans, watching for changes, and informing loved ones if the health status alters.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide the day-to-day bedside care essential to the health and wellbeing of clients. This physically demanding job includes taking vital signs (like blood pressure), inserting and tending to IVs and catheters, helping individuals bathe, and listening for concerns or changes so the entire medical team can respond. LPNs make sure that each person is comfortable and cared for. Most LPNs work in senior care facilities like assisted living or nursing homes.
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) work alongside RNs and LPNs to ensure the best healthcare possible. They are frequently found at the bedside, interacting with patients, and assisting with tasks like transportation, hygiene, and helping individuals to walk or eat. While there are some medical duties CNAs are permitted to do, they are a critical part of the team for consistent care.
Senior care nurses do more than just bring medicine or check vitals – they ensure a meaningful quality of life for those they take care of. Kline Galland is always looking for talented and committed nurses to provide extraordinary care; search for open RN, LPN, and CNA positions.
Sources: NurseJournal.org; American Nurses Association; American Association of Colleges of Nurses; AssistedLiving.org
