JOB DESCRIPTION
Registered nurses assess, plan, provide and evaluate preventative, curative and rehabilitative care for patients, clients and residents in a wide variety of settings. In hospitals, nurses usually work according to a rotating seven-day roster that includes morning, afternoon and night shifts, as well as weekends and public holidays. In other areas, the hours depend on the service.
DUTIES AND TASKS
Registered nurses may perform the following tasks:
- provide physical and technical nursing care and support for patients
- provide emotional and psychological support and health information to patients and their families
- supervise or carry out nursing care of patients
- observe, monitor, assess, report and document patients' conditions and responses to treatment
- administer medicines and other prescribed medical treatments to patients, in accordance with relevant legislation
- monitor and adjust medical equipment used in patient care and treatment, which can be highly technical and complex
- prepare patients for surgical operations, assisting with surgical procedures and the provision of post-operative care, such as wound care and nutritional management
- plan and provide rehabilitative care of patients, including discharge planning and care
- provide first aid, perform routine physical examinations, give advice about health matters and maintain sickness and accident records (where employed by large industrial or commercial organisations)
- contribute to the clinical training of nursing and midwifery students
- supervise nursing support staff and other hospital staff.
PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS
- good communication skills
- able to assume responsibility and a leadership role
- able to take initiative in emergencies
- tolerant, patient and tactful in dealing with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures
- able to work both independently and as part of a team
- able to cope with the physical demands and psychological aspects of the job