What Do Nurses Do?

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Are you considering nursing as a career and want to know the kind of jobs they do? Read on, as this article will reveal some of the things nurses do.

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Here Are Some of the Things Nurses Do

• Venipuncture

Venipuncture is seen by so many people as the most common invasive medical procedure. This procedure is essential for different medical tests, procedures, and diagnoses. It is an essential skill that can be exciting for new nurses. Nurses should learn the proper methods for drawing blood in a healthcare environment.

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What Is Venipuncture?

This is the process of drawing blood intravenously from patients. It is achieved by inserting a needle into the patient’s vein to collect blood samples for lab tests.

The blood is drawn from a vein inside the patient’s backhand or forearm. This procedure is carried out by nurses, medical practitioners, medical laboratory scientists, etc.

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Steps To Follow:

1. Sterilize the area with an antiseptic wipe.
2. Tie an elastic band around the patient’s upper arm to make the vein swell with blood.
3. Insert a needle into the patient's vein.
4. Draw and collect the blood in airtight tubes attached to the needle.
5. Remove the band placed on the patient’s arm.
6. Take out the needle and cover the spot with cotton wool to stop any bleeding.

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When Do Nurses Perform Venipuncture?

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Venipuncture may not be generally taught in nursing school, but aspiring nurses are advised to take supplementary courses to learn this skill. Most people do require the services of phlebotomy teams to perform the Venipuncture procedure. However, it is still essential for nurses to learn this skill to provide the best patient care. In some intensive care units, nurses are required to be proficient in venipuncture. Phlebotomy teams are usually available in the hospital only at a certain time. As such, in a case of an emergency and urgent request for a blood sample, the available nurse might be required to draw the blood sample.

• Splints and Casts

Splints and casts are hard wraps that protect and support injured ligaments, bones, tendons, etc.

They are mostly used to support the healing process of broken bones or fractures by holding the bones together while the body recovers from the injury. Splints and casts help in straightening the bone and keep the patient from exacerbating the injury through physical movements. They also help in reducing swelling and pain from the injury.

Casts are molds made of fiberglass or plasters and are customized to wrap around an injury. They can only be safely removed in the hospital or doctor’s office. But when it comes to splints, they are not full but more like a half-cast. The hard part of a splint doesn’t wrap the injury around, rather it is held together with an elastic band or some similar item. A splint can be easily adjusted or removed, unlike casts.

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When Do Nurses Apply or Remove Casts/Splints?

Nurses can be asked to apply or remove casts or splints by the physician when the need arises. 

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• Wound Care

Wound care deals with every stage of wound management. It may require special nursing skills as it is one of the critical components of healthcare.

When it comes to wound care management, there are so many factors to consider. Some of them include proper treatment for wound management, wound healing, and wound type. Medications, bandages, and stitches are also included in wound care.

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When Do Nurses Perform Wound Care?

The level of experience, location, and specialization determine the frequency by which a nurse can perform wound care. Nurses that specialize in this are called Certified Wound Care Nurses. (CWCN).

They are specialists in the field of wound treatment and management. They play major roles in nursing homes, home health agencies, hospitals, etc. These nurses also manage different wound-care programs where they provide direct patient care, education, and consultation for treating wounds.

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Conclusion

As someone considering a career in nursing, you must be prepared to be involved in any of the medical procedures described above. Note that these are just a few of the procedures you are expected to be skilled at as a nurse.

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