NURSING ROLES

A role is a set of expected behaviors associated with a persons status or position. Role includes behaviors, rights, and responsibilities. Nurses function in a variety of roles every day (see the accompanying display). Often roles overlap, which may lead to a conflict in expectations or responsibilities. A discussion of some predominant nursing roles follows.

Caregiver
The caregiver is the role most commonly associated with nursing by the general public. In the role of caregiver, the nurse provides direct care when clients are unable to meet their own needs. Specific activities characteristic of the caregiver role include feeding, bathing, and administering medications.

partners in the therapeutic process rather than passive recipients of care. The relationship that encourages client empowerment is one of mutual participation by client and nurse. Clients and families are actively involved in establishing goals. Frequently, clients and families do not communicate their concerns to physicians but will do so to the nurse with whom a bond has been established. Nurses function as client advocates by listening and communicating the expressed concerns to other health care providers and including those concerns into care planning.

Change Agent
Nurses who function in the role of change agent recognize that change is a complex process. The nurse change agent is proactive (takes the initiative to make things happen) rather than reactive (responding to things after they have happened). Change should not be done in a random manner. It should be planned carefully and implemented in a deliberate way to facilitate the clients progress.

Counselor
When acting as a counselor, the nurse assists clients with problem identification and resolution. The counselor facilitates client action and does not tell clients what to do but assists clients to make their own decisions. Counseling is done to help clients increase their coping skills. Clients are frequently counseled in stress management, how to deal with chronic conditions, grief and bereavement. Effective counseling is holistic, in that it addresses the individuals emotional, psychological, spiritual, and cognitive dimensions.

Team Member
A vital role of the nurse is that of team member. The nurse does not function in isolation but rather works with other members of the health care team. Collaboration requires the nurse to use effective interpersonal skills and promotes continuity of care. See Chapter 12 for a discussion of the communication skills applicable to promoting healthy relationships with clients and colleagues.

Resource Person
The nurse functions as a resource person by providing skilled intervention and information. Identifying resources and making referrals as needed also fall under the auspices of this role. Nurses must consider the client strengths and access to resources, including physical, intellectual, economic, social, and environmental.

Teacher
Teaching is an intrinsic part of nursing. The nurse views each interaction as an opportunity for education; both client and nurse can learn something from every encounter with each other (Figure 11-8). Teaching by nurses can be formal, informal, intentional, or incidental. See Chapter 13 for information on increasing effectiveness of the teacher role.

Client Advocate
A client advocate is a person who speaks up for or acts on behalf of the client. Advocacy empowers clients to be