FIELDS OF NURSING

CLASSIFICATION OF FIELDS OF NURSING IN GENERAL

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Hospital of institutional nursing Public health nursing or CHN Private duty or special duty nursing Industrial or occupational health nursing Nursing education Military nursing School nursing Clinic nursing Independent nursing practice

INSTITUTIONAL NURSING

Nursing in hospitals and related health facilities such as extended care facilities, nursing homes, and neighborhood clinics, comprises all of the basic components of comprehensive patient care and family health.

The educational qualification for beginning practitioners is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The nurse as a member of the health care team, participates in all phases of patient care of the acutely ill, the convalescing and the ambulatory patient.

ADVANTAGES OF STAFF NURSING IN HOSPITALS

There is always a supervisor whom one can consult if problems exist. Nurses are uploaded with new trends in medicine and in the nursing care of patients. They undergo rotation to different units and have a chance to determine their special area of choice before they are assigned permanently in one area such as Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, ICU-CCU, Obstetrics, Operating Room, Delivery Room, etc.

They have 8 hours/day and a 40 hour week duty which provide for two days of rest away from duty. They have provisions for sick leaves, holidays and vacations with pay according to personnel policies of the institution. They have the chance to get promoted to higher positions if they are qualified.

Salary increases are given periodically according to merit system thereby increasing their initiative and best efforts. They are considered an important member of the health team in providing care for the patients. More staff development programs are available in hospitals.

DISADVANTAGES OF STAFF NURSING IN HOSPITAL

There is a great possibility of understaffing which may require nurses to put in overtime work and sacrifice some of their plans. Because of the bulk of work, some staff nurses do not find time to improve their skills through continuing education programs. Or, if the hospitals are farflung, no continuing education programs are provided.

Administrative problems and overwork may tend to dissatisfy the staff nurse.

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING OR COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

The National Health Program of the Philippines gives as much emphasis on the promotion of health and prevention of diseases rather than care of the sick.

The focus of nursing care is only on family and community health rather than on an individual basis. Here, the nurse will be able to see the total picture of family and community health. It gives the nurse a better perspective of the health conditions of the community and the health programs conceived and implemented by the government, and to appreciate the nurses role in nation building.

ADVANTAGES OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING

It maximizes efforts to improvise where there are no sufficient facilities, supplies and equipment. It enable the nurse to utilize various community resources and maximize coordination with other members of the health team.

Focus of care is more on educational and preventive aspects. Thus, nurses have the privilege of contributing to the program for healthy citizenry especially among the rural poor. Individuals, families and communities are motivated to assume responsibility for their own health care.

DISADVANTAGES OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING

Cases found in public health nursing are limited mostly to chronic and/or communicable diseases. There are more hazards in public health than in hospital nursing, such as exposure to elements ( inclement weather, heat of sun, rain), dog or snake bites, accidents, etc.

There are no fixed hours of work. The nurse may be called upon any time of the day or night. Some claim that public health nursing is not as exciting nor as glamorous as hospital work. Facilities for care of the sick are limited so that practice or skills may be limited.

The public health nurse may not be immediately aware of changes or trends in the fields of medicine or nursing. Public health nursing is not a place for introverts. A nurse has to be outgoing to meet people. There is no immediate supervisor to consult in case of emergency.

NURSES IN IN-SERVICE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

In-service education programs have been in existence for many years both in hospitals and public health agencies. This is one way of improving service in these agencies. Many tertiary hospitals and public health agencies have nursing staff in charge of staff development training and research.

Nurses in this field need:

Skills in nursing practice, therefore they must have experience of at least two years in basic nursing practice. Understanding of skills in teaching, supervision, and consultation; Understanding of the relationship of these persons to the process of administration and research.

Understanding of the broad problems and desirable practices in patient-care planning; Understanding of and skill in the use of problem-solving approach to resolve everyday problems in the practice of nursing and in-service education;

Understanding of self and others involved in in-service education within the various agencies in nursing; and Ability to plan and implement programs for different kinds of nursing personnel.

PRIVATE DUTY NURSING

Nurses in private practice are expected to be expert clinicians as well as expert generalist nursing. They use the title Private Duty Nurse, Private Duty Practitioner, Special Duty Nurse or Private Duty Nurse Specialist.

Gategories:
1.

GENERAL PRIVATE DUTY NURSE- the general private duty nurse has the capabilities of providing basic nursing care to any type of patient, among which are:
1.

Assessment of physical conditions and interpretation of the significance of his/her findings as basis for planning the nursing care;

2. Identification of emotional and social factors and relating these signs and symptoms observed; 3. Application of scientific principles in the performance of nursing techniques. 4. Working with patients family so that they gain understanding of his/her illness and cooperate towards promoting early recovery of the patient.

5. Utilization of laboratory and diagnostic tests in promoting progress of care and enhancing his/her own usefulness as a health teacher and counselor; 6. Knowledge and recognition of pharmacological effects of drugs and medications, their implications for nursing actions as needed; 7. Interpretations of Doctors orders concerning medicines and treatments and communicating the same effectively to the patient and carrying them out promptly and accurately with understanding of cause and effects.

2. PRIVATE DUTY NURSE SPECIALIST- in addition to the foregoing abilities expected of the general nurse practitioner and as a result of his/her specialized preparation, a private duty nurse specialist also demonstrates the following competencies:

Skill in handling, operating, and monitoring other complicated devices; Skill in interpreting data gathered from ECG, EEG, laboratory diagnostic results and vital signs; Skill in observing signs and symptoms and favorable or untoward significance in the progress of patient care; and Promptness and adeptness in instituting appropriate nursing measures.

Qualifications of a private nurse practitioner

Be a registered nurse in the Philippines Have the following documents:

Professional tax receipt (PTR Professional regulation Commission Card (PRC) and Residence certificate

Have at least 2 years of bedside nursing experience as a professional nurse in a general hospital immediately prior to application.

Be acceptable to the Director of Nursing Service as suitable for orientation to do private duty nursing; Be a full time private duty nurse; Preferably have undergone a Critical Care Nursing Course; and Be a certified I.V. nurse therapist by the ANSAP

requirements
To undergo orientation in the hospital as conducted by the Nursing Service office; To have the complete paraphernalia (BP apparatus, pen light, bandage scissors, tripen, etc) To wear full white nurses uniform To have medical certificate from a certified medical center or laboratory with CXR result, CBC, urine and stool exam.

To acquire, for succeeding years, certificate of 3 seminars or continuing education programs attended; To give 2 character references To show certification as an I.V. Therapist by the ANSAP.