Every year on International Nurses Day, we celebrate the amazing nurses who keep us healthy. Nurses are the ones out there caring for patients day and night with their compassion and skill. It's no wonder that nurses consistently receive the top marks for ethics in the US. It's true! 79 percent of people commend their honesty and commitment.1 That's how dedicated they are to every patient.
So, on International Nurses Day, let's explore what it's like to be a nurse.
Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare. They tirelessly navigate through the bustling corridors of clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities. Their commitment, resilience, and compassion form the foundation of patient care. Here's a glimpse into the vital work they perform every day:
Nurses protect and care for their patients round the clock. Because nursing is such a dynamic field, nurses must be able to adapt to a variety of shifts, each with its own set of benefits and challenges.
Related Article: 7 Ways to Show Recognition for Your Nursing Staff’s Hard Work
Nursing encompasses a wide array of healthcare settings, each presenting its own unique challenges and responsibilities.
Nurses play a critical role in patient care. They work alongside multidisciplinary teams to ensure the well-being of those in their charge. Their responsibilities include administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and providing emotional support to patients and their families.
Challenges in this setting may include high patient volumes, fast-paced environments, and the need for quick decision-making in emergency situations.
These nurses provide long-term care for patients who may need ongoing medical attention. They often work with elderly or chronically ill individuals. Their duties include assisting with daily activities, managing medications, and monitoring health conditions.
Nurses may encounter complex medical needs, coordinating care with other healthcare providers, and ensuring the safety and comfort of residents.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Working in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Clinic nurses provide primary and specialty care services to patients in outpatient settings. They perform various tasks such as conducting assessments, administering vaccinations, and educating patients about health conditions and treatment plans. Nurses often face high patient volumes, coordinating appointments and procedures, and addressing the diverse needs of patients from different backgrounds.
This entails delivering medical services to patients in their own homes. They provide a wide range of care, including wound dressing changes, medication management, and monitoring of vital signs. Part of their job may include navigating unfamiliar environments, addressing safety concerns, and coordinating care with family members and other caregivers.
Nurses are the backbone of patient care in healthcare facilities. They face a wide range of obstacles with unwavering commitment. Here are some of the challenges they encounter:
The nursing job is physically demanding. It often requires nurses to do various manual duties, such as lifting and transferring patients frequently and standing for extended amounts of time. These repetitive actions can cause physical exhaustion, back ailments, and musculoskeletal strain.
Working in a new country can be a fulfilling experience, but it also presents challenges. For global nurses, this often means leaving behind family and friends. Adapting to a new environment, culture, and healthcare system can be isolating. Nurses might miss the support network of loved ones, making adjusting to their new lives difficult.
Read More: You Don't Have to Leave Your Family Behind to be a Global Nurse - Bring Them to the US!
Nurses often encounter emotionally taxing situations, such as managing complicated medical circumstances, witnessing suffering, and resolving ethical dilemmas. These challenges can cause strain to their mental and emotional well-being.
The constant exposure to such situations can lead to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion among nurses. Moreover, witnessing the suffering of patients and families, making difficult decisions, and grappling with ethical dilemmas. These can contribute to feelings of helplessness, sadness, and compassion fatigue.
Have you ever had to work an overtime shift? How did you feel? Tired? It's not surprising. Long work hours can affect your physical and mental health. However, for nurses, this is often commonplace.
Long shifts, erratic hours, and overtime work are common in nursing schedules, which can significantly impact nurses' mental health and well-being. The demanding nature of their work, combined with limited time for rest and relaxation, can result in feelings of physical and emotional exhaustion. Chronic exposure to long work hours may also contribute to this.
If you ever felt alone or disconnected at work, for many nurses, this feeling is all too familiar. In fact, a staggering 77 percent of nurses report feeling unsupported on the job.2 The demanding nature of nursing, with its busy schedules and hectic healthcare settings, can often leave nurses feeling isolated and underappreciated.
Related Article: 6 Top Challenges Faced by Global Nurses Moving to the US And How to Address Them
As we celebrate International Nurses Day, let's recognize the invaluable contributions nurses make to healthcare and patient care every day. At PRS Global, we extend our appreciation for nurses beyond this special occasion.
Whether you're looking to enhance your healthcare team with skilled international nurses or ready to take the next step in your nursing career, know that we're here to support you. Contact us today and let's make it happen together.
References
1 Brenan, Megan. "Nurses Retain Top Ethics Rating in U.S., but Below 2020 High." Gallup, 10 Jan. 2023, news.gallup.com/poll/467804/nurses-retain-top-ethics-rating-below-2020-high.aspx.
2 Gaines, Kathleen. "What’s Really Behind the Nursing Shortage? 1,500 Nurses Share Their Stories." Nurse.Org, 10 Oct. 2022, nurse.org/articles/nursing-shortage-study/.