Miami Dade College

Roles in Nursing

Objectives and Readings

Potter

& Perry: Chap. 1

Curriculum page: 1-7, 47- 50, 25-28,

Objectives and Readings

Identify

and define the key terms in the

text book and curriculum
List roles of the professional nurse.
Distinguish among the different roles of
the professional nurse.
Identify and describe behaviors and
actions specific to the different
professional roles.

Objectives and Readings

Identify the members of the nursing team
Compare the role of the professional
nurse and others members of the team.
Identify the role od the nurse within the
interdisciplinary collaboration within the
health care team.
Identify the nurses role in identifying
and reporting medical errors.

Roles in Nursing:
Role:

A set of behaviors by which a person participates

in a social group
Each individual has many roles
Roles involve expectations
Roles involve standards of behavior
Roles involve the individuals value and belief
system

Key Concepts: Roles in Nursingcont. Text pg. 9-12

Caregiver
Communicator
Teacher
Counselor

Comforter
Leader
Manager

Decision

Maker
Rehabilitator
Protector
Patient
advocate
Researcher

Caregiver
The

nurse addresses the holistic

health needs of the patient,
restoring patient and family to
their optimal emotional and
social well being.

Communicator
The

nurse promotes ongoing

communication among all
affected by the patient's
needs; utilizes therapeutic
techniques of communication
when interacting with patients
& family.

Teacher
The

nurse explains concepts

and facts about health care to
the patient, reinforces learning,
and evaluates
progress.
Teaching is individualized
and may be formal or informal.

Counselor / Comforter
The

nurse provides ongoing

emotional and spiritual support.
Patients need support to reach
therapeutic goals.

Leader / Manager / Delegator

Coordinates Nursing staff and

patient care Activities
Develops Policy
Control the unit budget
Monitor patient care satisfaction
Provides nursing staff on site
education. p7

Decision Maker
The

nurse gathers & interprets

data, decides the best nursing
approach for the individual patient.

Decisions

can be made alone or

with the patient, family or
significant others.

Rehabilitator
The nurse assists the patient
to return to maximal function
through teaching, helping the
patient cope with changes
associated with the illness or
disability.

Protector / Patient Advocate

The

nurse provides a safe

environment, helps prevent injury
and protects the patient from
possible adverse effects related to
treatment. The nurse also
protects the patients legal
rights and assists him/her in
asserting those rights.
p.7

Nurse: Patient Advocate

being a good
nurse is not
always the same
as being a good
employee.

Researcher
The

nurse participates in or
conducts research to increase
knowledge and improve patient
care.

Expanded Roles

Fostering Collaboration Through Cooperative

Goals & Trust:
Listen

attentively
Disclose about yourself
Share useful information
Ask for positive & negative feedback
Admit mistakes
Be willing to change your mind

Members of the Health Care Team:

Physician
Physicians Assistant
Physical Therapist
Respiratory Therapist
Nutritionist
Social worker
Case manager
Infection control nurse
Nursing assistant
Practical nurse (LPN)
Register nurse
Advanced Practice Register Nurse.

Members of The Health Care

Team: - cont.
Occupational

Therapist
Speech Therapist
Dietitian
Pharmacist
Social Worker
Chaplain

Classroom Activity
Using

the HESI case study identify the

various roles the displays.