Things change a lot in life, and the nursing career is no exception. The primary focus of nurses has been taking care of patients; while this has remained the same, some modifications have been made. The evolution of nursing seems to be a continuous process, with new technologies, medicines, and breakthroughs being constantly made. As such, nurses must be at par with the latest updates or risk becoming ineffective—it has truly become an adaptation industry.

The role of professional nurses is constantly evolving as changes in healthcare continue to occur in the delivery of patient care and technology. Nurses are no longer just at the bedside, dispensing medicine and recording vital signs; they are assuming positions of higher responsibility.

To be employed as a registered nurse (RN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the recommended level of education. To take on more intensive roles such as being a Nurse Practitioner (NP), you will need to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN); the Wilkes university staff directory highlights educators who can help with BSN-MSN online courses.

Trends in nursing

The contemporary role of nurses involves improving patients’ experience to reduce medical errors, lower costs and decrease hospital readmissions. In a fast-evolving world, nurses ought to boost their careers and branch into new areas such as health coaching to cultivate healthy living and prevent diseases. With new fields emerging, nurses can pursue one of the following positions:

• Genetics.
• Informatics.
• Telehealth.
• Genomics.

Roles of professional nurses today

Today the role of nurses is expanding from being mere caregivers to work as:

1. Communicators

Nurses are prepared to work in the management of patient care; they enhance successful patient outcomes by ensuring coordinated and cohesive care. To effectively perform procedures and treatments, nurses collaborate with a healthcare team of doctors and other specialists.

2. Instructors

Healthcare providers are constantly using new types of applications and machines. The medical industry is also becoming more personalized and is requiring nurses to guide patients on using medical apps to enhance traditional care. These apps can be used by patients to monitor glucose levels, track blood pressure, and access other helpful information.

3. Researchers

To deliver patient care most holistically, nurses use research by gathering and analyzing data to derive insights that can help them pinpoint best practices to facilitate patient care.

4. Specialists

As patients become older, they can contract multifaceted, multiple health conditions. Nurses can pursue appropriate medical specializations for them to be in a better position to address complications related to heart problems, diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, and dementia, among other conditions.

The evolving role of nurses is intertwined with technology. While technology has become an integral part of nursing, the human touch is provided by nurses who are ever at the forefront of patient care; they interact with patients more than any other professionals no matter the type of healthcare setting they’re working in.

The core duty of nurses is to monitor and assess patients, then relay information to doctors and other healthcare providers. With the advent of telemedicine and technology, nurses no longer need to be confined in physical buildings; they assist patients in their homes or communities with the use of mobile technology or in person.