Changing role of nurse

The issues related to nursing involve a thoroughadequate leadership skills to effectively perform clinical
examination of nursing as theory and practice. The roleduties (Booth and Davies, 1991). The differences
of the nurse practitioner especially in areas of clinicalbetween the role of the health visitor, nurse and
decision making and management could be studied inmidwife in general practice have been studied. Social
the contexts of obstetrics and gynaecologicaland healthcare policy and guidelines on clinical
department or even emergency wards. The emphasisgovernance suggest a multidisciplinary collaborative
of most studies is on reflective practice using Gibbsworking approach for effective clinical management
(1988) model of treatment and reflection. The need to(Papers4you.com, 2006). Collaborative teamwork,
follow clinical guidelines as given by NICE or NHS haveholistic psychosocial treatment and proper allocation of
been emphasised in several studies especiallyclinical resources are some of the issues that are very
highlighting the importance of personal cleanliness andimportant within intensive care units and for care of
hygiene in infection control. The role of informedemergency patients. The ethical and legal
consent and clinical decision making in case ofresponsibilities of a nurse practitioner and the medical
pregnancy with family history of mental healthteam in general are largely guided by not just clinical
problems suggest the central role of the challenges inguidelines set by the Department of Health but also by
the decision making process (Papers4you.com, 2006).a team of dedicated health professionals within the
The need for counselling and holistic care of patientsclinical setting.
have been emphasised in clinical practice. The role ofThe issues discussed in the field of nursing include
the nurse and the importance of proper knowledge ofclinical governance, collaborative teamwork, the role of
clinical guidelines, NHS directives and adequate medicalthe clinical nurse practitioner, the importance of
training suggest the crucial responsibility of the nursereflective practice, Gibbs (1988) Model, clinical
who plays varied roles from that of physician tomanagement and decision making, ethical and legal
hospital manager. The studies show the variedissues in clinical care and holistic approach to
approaches to nursing as in case of a depressedtreatment.
patient, the emphasis is on counseling andBibliography
psychological support whereas in case of treating aBooth J, Davies C. (1991) The management of change
patient with high blood pressure or multiple injuries afteron a nursing development unit. Nurs Pract.;4(2):12-5.
accident, reflective practice on immediate measuresBowcutt M, Wall J, Goolsby MJ. (2006) The clinical
followed would be more important, suggesting a focusnurse leader: promoting patient-centered outcomes.
on patient centered outcomes (Bowcutt, et al 2006).Nurs Adm Q. Apr-Jun;30(2):156-61.
Clinical management is closely related to leadershipGibbs, G. 1988. Learning by doing: a guide to teaching
theories and it is important for the nurse to developand learning methods. London: Further Education Unit.