The public has one or two perceptions of nurses. One is that we do what the doctor tells us to do. The other is that we can answer any health or illness related question. This blog will address the second statement. How many times have you heard this statement: “Ask the nurse”? The public’s perception is that you can answer their health questions because you are a nurse. This may or may not be accurate, but what we do know is that nurses have a wide knowledge base and can give correct and appropriate health information and education. The responses we provide must be limited to our education, experience and licensure level. Information can be basic, broad or limited to what we know best – our area of practice or specialty.
The Board of Nursing has a position statement related to social media which identifies that as nurses we can use social media to exchange knowledge and as a forum for collegial interchange for the dissemination and discussion of nursing and health related education, research and test practices. Social media is also a useful tool for educating the public on nursing and health related matters. This is one of the reasons blogs have become so popular.
Nurses provide a broad canvas on which we can use our nursing knowledge when approached by others ‘asking the nurse’ health questions. We must be careful not to overstep our scope of practice and give information that could be seen as going beyond what our license permits. Unless one is licensed as an advanced practice nurse, they cannot prescribe medications or treatments and cannot make a diagnosis based on symptoms. However, we have a distinct body of knowledge and can develop a ‘nursing diagnoses’. We also have a method called the nursing process that helps us to gather data, formulate and implement a nursing care plan, and evaluate the care provided. We can easily provide health information using these tools.
As generalist nurses we provide a wide range of education to others. When asked by someone “Do I have (this disease or condition)? The nurse can gather information, formulate a working nursing diagnosis, and give direction to the person about how to seek additional attention/information so they can be properly diagnosed and treated. On the flip side, we do a lot of teaching and clarifying for others. Often when an individual has seen a prescriber, they come away with a lot of questions. This is when we get to use all of our knowledge and skill to answer the person’s questions. Our education is based on the application of biological, physical, and social science. It is about more than providing hands-on care. There was a commercial some time ago that said ‘if caring was enough, anyone could be a nurse’. It has remained my favorite commercial because it lets the public know that when you ask a nurse a question or ask for an opinion, the response you receive is based on solid, evidence-based knowledge and practices. Yes, we are competent, caring, and compassionate but we are educated and grounded and well able to answer your questions.
Remember we are educated in an approved school of nursing, not medical school, but we must have a solid, working knowledge of medicine and the implications on patient care. We teach, we provide care, we advocate for our patients. All of these things are evident when someone asks a nurse a question.
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