Lee High School

Role of a Registered Nurse

Final Draft

Brysseida Cepeda

Lee High School Senior Capstone

Brian Cahoon

13 April 2017
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Brysseida Cepeda

Brian Cahoon

Senior Capstone

13 April 2017

Role of a registered nurse

Today a registered nurse not only takes care of their patient with their physical needs but

also with their emotional needs. Many people believe that the only role a registered nurse has is

to give a patient their medication and then go to the next patient. The role in the past was similar

to that, but over time the registered nurses role has expanded. They now have the opportunity to

get closer with their patients because of how this career has evolved over time. The role of a

registered nurse has changed over time in their use of technology, collaboration with other

medical personnel, and in their need to be a patient advocate.

The impact technology has made in the medical field has affected the way medical

personnel performs their roles, specifically registered nurses. Before technology made its impact

on society, charting and prescribing was done in pen and paper by nurses. As Korrie Mcfarlane

(2017) said, Nurses could not understand the handwriting of others, causing patients to receive

the incorrect medication and treatment which resulted in more health problems. Ever since

technology has been more involved, registered nurses have to teach the patients about their own

health using specific medical apps made for their own needs. New technology wont preclude

traditional care, but it will open up more creative options to teach patients about their health.

implied Charles Tiffin (2012). The role of registered nurses has expanded due to the fact that

technology is still growing. Registered nurses no longer rely on pen and paper, they rely on
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computers and even their own cell phones. When you enter a hospital, registered nurses are

constantly checking their cell phones to inform them of the patient's needs. Before, alphanumeric

pagers would be used which allowed registered nurses to see the patient's room number to let

them know that the patient needs assistance. This would cause time to be wasted because the

pagers would not inform them what the patient specifically needs. Now, because of cell phones,

they are able to know which patient and what the patient needs before entering the room and

asking, making their role as a registered nurse better.

Along with technology, having to meet with medical personnel has drastically improved

the role of a registered nurse over time. In the past, all health professionals would not meet with

each other to discuss the health status of patients, causing lack of patient satisfaction. Registered

nurses now meet with medical personnel in order to get the correct information on how the

patient is doing health wise and how to improve the patient's satisfaction. Nursing was just an

extension of what their roles at home were Chelsy Ranard (2015). Registered nurses do more

than house duties today. They interact with others, write journals, and research ways to

improve the patient's health. Meeting with medical personnel has changed the role of registered

nurses because patients and their families now see that the health care team is doing everything

they possibly can in order to reach their goals, which is to see improvement on the patient.

Registered nurses now know that to see improvement, they have to show the patient that they

care.

The role of a registered nurse has expanded ever since the concept of patient advocacy

was introduced. Many believe that a registered nurse not only has to take care of the patient

physically but emotionally as well. They not only take on the role of a nurse but as a patient
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advocate as well. According to Jeanette Ives Erickson (2012), the nurse assures the team and

the process of care establishes and sustains a continuous, caring relationship with

patients/families. In the past, registered nurses would be accustomed to having to give care to

the patient without reassuring if they were comfortable with the task. Registered nurses are more

focused on patient care than ever before therefore patients now have a say in how they are cared

for. They have the right to make their own decisions on how they want to be treated, making

nurses show respect and care towards their decision. They ensure the patients voice is being

heard. Moyra A Baldwin (2003) claims that not only does advocacy involve patients rights but

also preservation of patients values, show social justice in the provision of health care, and give

the patient their best interest.

The role of a registered nurse will continue evolving throughout the centuries that come

ahead. There will be young minds to expand the role. Many believe their role is one of the

simplest jobs to do based on how it was in the past. In the 21st century, registered nurses not

only perform house tasks but use technology, collaborate with medical personnel and be a

patient advocate. Each day that passes by, registered nurses make life changing decisions for

their patients using every possible resource they can. The role of a registered nurse not only

impacts the health care team but the lives of others as well.
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Works Cited

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