Licensed Nurse

Licensed Nurses form the backbone of the healthcare system. These skilled professionals provide essential care to patients across various settings, promote health education, and tirelessly offer medical support within the scope of their licensure. Their dedication directly impacts patient outcomes, well-being, and the overall quality of healthcare delivery.

What are Licensed Nurses?

Licensed Nurses are characterized by:

Rigorous Education: Completion of accredited nursing programs, either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Licensure Exam: Demonstrate competence through passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses (RN) or Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN).
Scope of Practice: Duties vary based on licensure level and specialization, ensuring safe and competent practice.
Holistic Approach: Consider the physical, emotional, and social needs of patients when providing care.
Strong Collaborators: Work with doctors, other nurses, and allied health professionals for comprehensive patient care.

How Can Licensed Nurses Help You?

Licensed Nurses provide support in numerous ways:

Direct Patient Care: From administering medications, managing treatments, and monitoring vital signs to providing patient comfort and care.
Health Education: Educate patients and families on disease management, preventative care, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Advocacy: Act as patient advocates, communicating needs and concerns to the healthcare team, ensuring patient-centered care.
Emotional Support: Offer reassurance, compassion, and emotional support to patients and families, especially during difficult times.
Coordination of Care: Facilitate communication between patients, families, and healthcare teams for seamless treatment plans.

What are Licensed Nurses Good For?

Individuals benefit from Licensed Nurses across various contexts:

Hospital Settings: Provide bedside care in inpatient units, surgical units, emergency rooms, and other specialized departments.
Clinics and Outpatient Facilities: Assist in clinics, managing routine check-ups, administering vaccinations, and patient education.
Long-Term Care Facilities: Care for elderly or chronically ill patients, managing medications, and providing support with daily activities.
Home Health Care: Deliver care to patients in their homes, promoting recovery and offering support with daily living.
Schools and Community Settings: Provide health education, first aid, and address public health concerns within various communities.

Benefits of Licensed Nurses

Licensed Nurses offer numerous benefits to patients and healthcare systems:

Quality Patient Care: Deliver safe, evidence-based nursing interventions for optimal patient outcomes.
Improved Health Outcomes: Contribute to positive health outcomes through skilled care, patient education, and preventive measures.
Patient-Centered Care: Place the patient at the heart of care, respecting individual needs and preferences.
Effective Collaboration: Enhance overall quality of care by working seamlessly within multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Holistic Wellness Support: Address not only physical health but also emotional and social well-being for holistic patient care.

What to Expect: Engaging with Licensed Nurses

Interactions with Licensed Nurses typically involve:

Assessment: Gathering health information, reviewing medical records, and observing the patient’s condition.
Care Planning: Collaboration with the healthcare team to develop a care plan addressing patient needs and goals.
Interventions: Carrying out nursing treatments, administering medications, and providing various aspects of physical care.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Closely monitoring the patient’s response to treatment and any changes in their health status.
Communication and Education: Clear and empathic communication with patients and families, answering questions and providing health education.

Similar Modalities to Licensed Nurses

Other healthcare roles overlap with Licensed Nurses:

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): Assist nurses with basic patient care tasks, vital signs monitoring, and daily living assistance.
Physicians: Medical doctors who diagnose and prescribe treatments. Licensed Nurses collaborate and implement care plans.
Allied Health Professionals: Various specialists like physical therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, and pharmacists, working alongside nurses.

Final Thoughts

Licensed Nurses are indispensable members of the healthcare system. Their dedication, diverse skills, and compassionate care improve health outcomes, provide comfort, and promote well-being. Whether in hospitals, clinics or community settings, Licensed Nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring high-quality, patient-centered healthcare for all.

Scientific References

Aiken, L. H., Clarke, S. P., Sloane, D. M., Lake, E. T., & Cheney, T. (2008). Effects of hospital care environment on patient mortality and nurse outcomes. Journal of Nursing Administration, 38(5), 223-229. [DOI: 10.1097/01.NNA.0000312773.42352.d7]
McHugh, M. D., & Ma, C. (2014). Hospital nursing and 30-day readmissions among Medicare beneficiaries in the fee-for-service program. Medical Care, 52(4), 305–311. [DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000097]
Van Bogaert, P., Kowalski, C., Weeks, S. M., & Clarke, S. P. (2013). The relationship between nurse practice environment, nurse work characteristics, burnout and job outcome and quality of nursing care: A cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 50(12), 1667-1677. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2013.05.010]