Nursing is one of the most sought-after and popular professions of health services. Its importance is inevitable due to its vital role in primary and secondary healthcare patients. Doctors, medical practitioners, physicians, and other staff cannot perform their duties without the assistance and support of nurses. They act as the supporting system for the successful and smooth running of medical and health care services.
Everyone thinks that they know all the aspects of the nursing profession. You also might think that you are familiar with everything regarding nurses. It’s time to prove that you are wrong.
Here are some of the least known facts about nursing and nurses that you didn’t know before.
Nurses walk 5k every shift
Nurses run all day to perform their duties efficiently, but you did not know that nurses walk 5 miles per 12-hour shift on average. That is quite a long walk daily. On the contrary, an average human walks 2.5 miles per day. Thus nurses walk double the average population.
Demand for nursing majors is continuously rising
Nursing majors are promising regarding career prospects in the health sector. There is a continuously rising demand for professional nurses in medical facilities. Nearly 50% of students are enrolled in nursing majors in the healthcare field. The Online RN to BSN Program is popular in nursing that allows students to continue higher education in a virtual environment. By pursuing a degree in nursing, anyone can play an effective role in the smooth functioning of healthcare services.
Nurses perform duties in a diverse range of areas
Most people believe that nurses can only perform in medical facilities like hospitals and private clinics. But you may be surprised to know that the services of nurses are not confined to primary health care providers only. They can work in trauma centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, foster care homes, juvenile detention centers, prisoners’ health facilities, legal offices, and government agencies. The nature of their placement depends on the type of specialization they acquire. For instance, forensic nurses can join investigation units and crime cells to provide medical assistance in solving criminal cases. The quick breakdown of the ratio of nurses working in different domains is as follows:
- 60% Hospitals
- 18% Ambulatory healthcare services
- 7% Nursing and residential care facilities
- 5% Government
- 3% Educational services
Nursing professions ranked in the top jobs of 2021
Because of the increased demand for health services, the nursing profession is expanding to fill the void left by other primary healthcare professionals. As reported by the US News, three nursing professions ranked in the top 40 jobs of 2021. Nurse practitioners stand at number three while registered nurses and nurse anesthetists secure 37 and 39 placements. The nursing profession is also growing in the future due to its immense importance in the health sector. According to projections, the employment status of registered nurses is expected to grow by 9 percent by 2029.
Nurses speak up
Nurses are well trained to assist and deal with patients while following doctors’ orders. But they also speak up if they feel their medical supervisor may have misunderstood the situation at hand. Nurses advocate for the rights of the patients. For instance, they can question the earlier discharge of patients or any prescribed medication based on allergies or high costs. Nurses stay with patients 24/7, thus closely monitoring their condition more than other staff; when the decision to discharge patients comes, their word matters.
Men are choosing to be nurses
It is generally believed that the nursing profession is only limited to females. However, there is a surprise for you; men make up almost 12% of the registered nursing workforce at present. The trend of joining nursing professionals by males is gaining popularity across the United States. It has many advantages. For instance, male patients prefer and rely on male nurses more than females for certain medical treatments and clinical procedures. Similarly, male nurses can perform more efficiently by lifting and helping in moving the patients.
Home is where the nurse is
Many senior citizens who face health-related challenges, live alone and are not accompanied by caretakers require constant medical care. Similarly, the older population above the 80s prefer to stay at home for medical treatment instead of being admitted to hospitals and medical facilities. In these cases, nurses play a crucial role in assisting old-age patients with medical care and guidance. They accompany seniors for regular medical checkups and visits to medical facilities. Furthermore, nurses also keep records of seniors’ medication and coordinate with local services to ensure a stable and active lifestyle for elders.
Nurses are tech-savvy
Technological advancements have made it essential for nurses to adopt technology and learn about the latest medical treatments and equipment to stay in the game. For instance, nurses operate in a limitless array of complicated health care procedures such as chemotherapy, hemodialysis, blood transfusions, etc. They know how to operate ICU respirators, Intra aortic balloon pumps, and other medical instruments heavily controlled by technology and require technical assistance.
Even nurses have limits
Nurses are well prepared and trained to handle acute medical problems and health risks. But they also have some limitations. For instance, they can deal with chest pain, abdominal infections, or serious surgery. But digest postmortem care, an odor of vomit or sputum, narcotic overdose are some of the limits that they cannot take care of. They rely on co-workers or helping staff to get assistance in such critical situations.
Bedside nursing is tough work
Bedside nursing is not an easy and comfortable job. It requires constant moving of immobile or weak patients from bed to wheelchair to bathroom or, in some cases, in a stretcher. A normal weight nurse cannot bear the heavyweight of a patient and thus are at more risk of developing body pains and injuries. According to the statistics, above 52% of nurses face chronic back pain even though they are trained in body mechanics to deal with patient care in every scenario.
Nursing is a suitable profession for those who want to serve humanity at the expense of their comfort and convenience. It requires strong willpower and commitment to deal with challenges and tackle complicated patients. You cannot be a part of a winning team if you don’t know about all the factors of being a nurse.