DIFFERENT FIELDS OF NURSING

BY: ANN GRETHEL R. TAN, RN

The fields of Nursing may be classified according to the following:

1. Institutional Nursing2. Public Health Nursing or Community Health

Nursing3. Private Duty 4. Industrial or Occupational Health Nursing5. Nursing Education6. Military Nursing7. School Nursing8. Clinic Nursing9. Independent Nursing Practice

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 concept of the modern hospital as a community health center where in patient and out patient are continuous describes the goal of medical care in most general hospital

1. There is always a supervisor whom one can consult if problem exist.

2. Nurses are updated with new trends in medicine and in the nursing care of patients.

3. 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.

4. They have an eight hour day and forty-hour week duty which provide for two days of rest away from duty.

5. They have a chance to be promoted if they are qualified.

6. Salary increases are given periodically according to merit system

7. They are considered an important member of the health team

8. More staff development programs are available in the hospital.

1. There is a great possibility of understaffing which may require nurses to put in overtime work.

2. Because of the bulk of work, some nurses do not find time to improve their skills through continuing education programs.

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

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. It needs a deeper involvement and close supervision with all members of the health team such as physicians, nurses, epidemiologist, dentists, sanitary inspector, sanitary engineers, nutritionist, health educators, social workers, community and barangay leaders.

1. The focus of nursing care is on family and community health rather than on an individual basis.

2. It gives the nurse a better perspective of the health conditions of the community and the health programs conceived by the government.

3. It maximizes efforts to improvise where there are no sufficient facilities, supplies and equipment.

4. It enables the nurse to utilize various community resources and maximize coordination with other members of the health team.

5. Focus of care is more on educational and preventive aspects.

6. Individuals, families and communities are motivated to assume responsibility for their own health care.

1. Cases found in public health nursing are limited mostly to chronic and communicable diseases.

2. There are more hazards in public health than in hospital nursing.

3. There are no fixed hours of work.4. Some claim that it is not as exciting nor as

glamorous as hospital work.5. Facilities for care of the sick are limited so that

practice are also limited.6. The PHN may not be immediately aware of

changes or trends in the field of nursing.7. It is not a place for introverts.8. There is no immediate supervisor to consult in

case of emergency.

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

A registered nurse who undertakes to give comprehensive nursing care to a client on a one on one ratio.

1. General Private Duty Nurse- providing basic nursing care to any type of patient.

2. Private Duty Nurse Specialist- skills in complicated devices, interpreting, observing signs and symptoms.

1. Chance to see life as it really is, to study human nature and to know close range interesting people of different nationalities.

2. The opportunity to make real friends3. Chance to travel and see the world4. The ability to own time, adjust work and

private life, direct off duty.5. The chance to keep abreast with the new

knowledge and procedures.6. The challenges of giving his best in

providing care .

1. Some patients become totally dependent on the nurse.

2. Many private duty nurses graduated so long ago and have not upgraded their knowledge and skills.

3. There are not enough nurses for evening and night shift, holiday, week-ends.

4. Little assistance is given by the Head Nurse when the patient is critically ill.

5. There are no retirement, insurance and medicare benefits unless he provide these for himself.

Few nurses go into occupational health nursing. This is because they often work alone, and must therefore possess maturity, experience, and wise judgment.

Occupational health nursing is the specialty practice that provides and delivers health care services of workers. The practice focuses on promotion, protection, and supervision of workers health within the context of a safe and healthy environment.

Qualifications of the Faculty:1. Be a registered nurse in the Philippines2. Have at least one year of clinical practice in

a field of specialization3. Be a member of good standing in the

accredited professional organization of nurses

4. Be a holder of masters degree in nursing, education

Three broad areas:1. To meet the nursing needs of today’s patient

in AFP medical facilities2. To prepare each Nurse Corps Officer for

future assignments at a higher level of responsibility in the different stations and general hospital in time of peace and war

3. To teach and train enlisted personnel who perform nursing functions under supervision.

1. Have a BSN from duly recognized university/college2. Be licensed to practice nursing3. Be a natural born Filipino citizen4. Be single or has never been married5. Be mentally and physically fit and cleared by

appropriate security agencies6. Have a pleasing personality and good moral character7. Be skillful in applying nursing process, communicating

with others, making sound/ rational judgment8. Be interested and willing to work in both peaceful and

wartime conditions9. Height requirements: for Males: minimum of 62 in. for Females: minimum of 60 in.

School health nurses often work alone, out of touch with other nurse, the hospital and all professional supports they have known. They are responsible for the school activities in the areas of health service, health education and environmental health and safety.

1. Organizing and implementing the school health program

2. Coordinating school health programs3. Undertaking functions directly related to

pupils health4. Evaluating school health program5. Carrying out functions related to the health

of school personnel

School nursing affords one the opportunity to watch children advance from grade to grade in school health.

Hours are usually good and there is no shift duty.

Many school nurses do not update themselves on the current issues in nursing making them unaware of changes in the nursing practice.

Clinic nursing requires that a nurse possess general skills. Usually a doctor has been in general practice for a number of years. It is with him that the nurse acts as a receptionist, answers phone, does the billing, takes x-rays, and ECG, change dressing, give injection and assist in physical examination. Teaching patients and their families has become an important function of the clinic nurse.

Nurses in this field must have excellent teaching and communication skills, exhibit organizational and leadership ability, possess good assessment skills, and have good insight in order to anticipate and interpret the needs of their patient.

1. Favorable working hours.2. Efficient clinic nurses are trusted in their

judgment and share in planning the care of the patient.

As the term implies, “independent” means the nurse is self employed and provides professional nursing services to the clients and their families. While some independent nursing practitioners set up their clinics near a hospital, most of them are community based. The nurses reach out and offer their services rather than expect clients to seek their help.

Make a self –evaluationMake a self –evaluation They need to consider their capacities, They need to consider their capacities,

interests, qualifications and goalsinterests, qualifications and goals

Kind of work to be performedKind of work to be performed Availability of the workAvailability of the work Hours of worksHours of works QualificationsQualifications Opportunities for advancementOpportunities for advancement Method of enteringMethod of entering

Make an appointment either by mail or telephoneMake an appointment either by mail or telephone Be at place at the appointmentBe at place at the appointment Know something about the institution where you Know something about the institution where you

will apply so that you can answer questions will apply so that you can answer questions intelligentlyintelligently

Be at your bestBe at your best Know before you enterKnow before you enter Bring credentials such as your registration card, Bring credentials such as your registration card,

residence certificate, tax account number and the residence certificate, tax account number and the like.like.

Ask question about the jobAsk question about the job Thank the interviewer for giving some of his Thank the interviewer for giving some of his

or her timeor her time Give yourself time to think about the Give yourself time to think about the

positionposition If the prospective employer does not If the prospective employer does not

answer, you may write a follow up letter answer, you may write a follow up letter stating your interest in the positionstating your interest in the position