Nursing Career Description
Registered nurses are practitioners in their own right, specialists in their own field, and capable of providing everything from basic to the most specialized health care. As members of multi-professional teams, nurses help to ensure the health of individuals and the community at large.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Nursing involves assisting ill, injured and weak people towards health and helping to relieve patients of pain and discomfort. Nursing includes curative, preventative, promotive and rehabilitative health care for families, communities and individuals. Nurses participate in activities such as supplying health guidance and counselling to patients, as well as the diagnosis, planning and execution of nursing strategies.
There are two main categories of nursing, namely registered or professional nurses and enrolled nursing auxiliaries.
Some duties are performed by all nurses, particularly during training, but there are variations in responsibility and work. Both categories register with the SA Nursing Council once they have completed their training.
Registered nurses
Both degree and diploma students qualify as registered nurses. Once they have completed their training, they are referred to as sisters. They are responsible for the supervision of student nurses and nursing auxiliaries, and may also be involved in their training. Their duties include running a department or ward, keeping records on treatment and progress, advising doctors about patients' conditions, receiving instructions regarding treatment as well as controlling supplies and equipment, materials and medicine.
Enrolled nursing auxiliaries
Enrolled nursing auxiliaries carry out basic nursing procedures and take care of patients on a less specialized level, under the supervision of registered nurses.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Because nurses work with precious human lives, the fundamental requirements of this profession is a well-developed sense of moral responsibility. Nursing requires reliability, thoroughness, self-discipline, adaptability and a willingness to serve others. It requires kindness, consideration, tactfulness and acceptance towards others. Nursing demands some amount of physical endurance.
Where can I work?
Employment opportunities for nurses are unlimited. Nurses can be employed by educational departments, government departments, municipalities, medical practitioners and specialists, old-age homes, rehabilitation centres and in private practices.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Nurses can render their services to any individual or organisation.
|
