Have nurses lost their traditional role of hands-on, direct patient care?
Have nurses lost their traditional role of hands-on, direct patient care?
Description
As the nursing profession has expanded through advanced degrees, specialization, and clinical practice, nurses’ salaries and responsibilities also have increased. Now, hospitals substitute non-nurses for nurses to perform all but invasive and higher-level tasks. A key function of the Registered Professional Nurse (RN) is in planning care according to the Nursing Process and overseeing the delivery of that care. Discuss the trends and touch on the following: •What are the implications for the nursing profession as a whole? •Consider what new policies or financial pressures may have contributed to this shift. •Have nurses lost their traditional role of hands-on, direct patient care? If so, is that to their advantage or disadvantage? Does it matter who gives direct care when the ultimate responsibility lies with the RN? What are the ethical and clinical implications in this?
