What is the purpose of nursing
The nurses I asked the question gave varied answers, but what was common was that nurses are both carers and advocates for patients (Water et al., 2016). One said that the purpose of nursing is to advocate for and educate patients and their families. A nurse is tasked with making decisions that will fit well with the patient’s care and act as a bridge between what the provider says and what the patient understands. Another pointed out that a nurse takes care of and advocates for all aspects of health for their patients. One other nurse stated that nursing is a culmination of caring processes and that there is no correct definition of the purpose of nursing. The nurse stated that nurses practice in different settings with different clients, which makes it difficult to have a single definition. However, she pointed out that caring for patients is the common denominator, no matter the setting. The fourth nurse said that the purpose of nursing is to show compassion and care for the sick and utilize nursing knowledge to achieve this, as well as to educate patients on curative and preventive healthcare. A nurse also advocates for their patients. Lastly, one nurse was straightforward in summarizing her job by saying that the purpose of nursing is to give her stress and gray hair.
The perception of nursing by non-nurses was similar to some of the findings by Glerean et al., (2017). The first person said that the purpose of nursing is to help and heal those who are unable to help themselves in a time of need or distress. A second person said that nurses are caring and compassionate people who listen to and advocate for patients and who make decisions that benefit the well-being of patients. The person also added that nurses needed to be appreciated more and paid better for the jobs they do. The third person said that a nurse is a caregiver for patients and helps to manage physical needs, prevent illness, and treat health conditions. A nurse fulfills these by observing and monitoring the patient and recording any relevant information to aid in decision-making. Also, he was of the opinion that nurses are innovative and have been at the forefront of change in health care and public health. The fourth person stated that nursing provides care for patients and advocates for the latter and their families. She expressed her gratitude for the care that nurses give to patients and pointed out that nurses should be appreciated more. The last person said that nurses assist in the healing and care, both physical and mental, of the sick and injured.
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Question 
What is the purpose of nursing
Ask five nurses the following question. Ask the question without explanation or expansion. Tell them you are doing a class project and need the following question answered. There are no right or wrong answers. “What is the purpose of nursing?” Ask five lay persons the exact same question in the exact same manner
What is the purpose of nursing
Summarize your findings and report to the class. When you complete this project, you will have just completed your first qualitative research project. Albeit an abbreviated one, but nonetheless, a qualitative study.
Here are the 5 nurse & 5 non-nurse opinions
Nurses-
- To advocate for and educate patients and their families to make well rounded medical decisions about their care. To be the bridge between what the provider says and what the patient understands.
- To take care and advocate for all aspects of health of their patients
- Nursing is a culmination of processes of caring. There is no one “right” definition because we all practice in different setting with different clients. The one universal act is “caring.” So yes advocacy, communication, and sometimes being a “punching bag” are part of the purpose. It is a challenging, rewarding and sometimes frustrating profession but in the end the purpose is caring for others.
- To care for the sick with care and compassion using the knowledge you have received. Also to provide teaching to patients and family to assist with healing and disease prevention. All while advocating for your patients.
- To give me stress and gray hair!!!!
Non-nurses
- to help and heal those who are unable to help themselves in a time of need or distress
- The purpose is for A Caring & compassionate individual to listen and advocate by making decisions for the well being of the patient .
- You’re all heroes if you ask me! Takes a special someone to be a nurse regardless of what specialty area you’re working in! You all don’t get paid nearly enough and you don’t get the credit you’re deserved !
- A nurse is a caregiver for patients and helps to manage physical needs, prevent illness, and treat health conditions. To do this, they need to observe and monitor the patient, recording any relevant information to aid in decision-making.
- They have always have been at the forefront of change in health care and public health. Nurses innovate *
- The purpose of nursing to me is…. Is to provide such caring care for all involved! A nurse has a heart of gold and always goes above and beyond!
- A nurse truly listens and helps the patient and their families advocate for what is needed!
- I’m in awe of nurses from watching you and others in the schools as well as all the home nurses for my niece and her stay at children’s. It is a profession that should be more recognized and truly appreciated
- To assist in the healing and care, both physical and mental of the sick and injured.