The Importance Of Patient Education For Nursing

Studies show nurses play a very important rule of teaching the patients; especially improve patient’s knowledge about the medications (Bradley et al., 2012). Nurses are responsible to educate the patient about the purpose of every medication and their side effects. It is also necessary to tell them some alterations to the medication list (Bradley et al., 2012). The purpose of teaching the patient is to help them understand how the medications benefit them. In this way, they will become more compliant. In addition, it is important for the patients to know how the medications work. For example, they need to hold the some blood pressure pill if they have low blood pressure. There is another example shows nurses successfully improve patient’s condition through medication education. The study by Van Camp et al. (2012) investigated how nurse-led education and counseling enhance medications adherence in chronic dialysis patients. The medication is called phosphate binder that prevents the patient from absorbing phosphate in the food. The study showed “the mean adherence group increased from 83% to 94%, phosphate values decreased from 4.9 to 4.3 mg/dl and the knowledge of the medications increased by twenty percent” (Van

People do not think computers. Computers do not think. They run programs, that is, a series of commands are done sequentially (one after another). Humans have brains which work in a very different way. They do not process tasks sequentially but very many processes run at the same time. We are consciously aware of a very small amount of the brain's activity. The stuff we are aware of may be described as thoughts, feeling, and emotion thinking.

The IOM has stressed the importance of the nursing role in educating patients on disease prevention, management of chronic conditions, and health promotion. This is a subject in which this author is in firm agreement. While providing patient care, it is clear there is a lack of education regarding disease process and management. Patients frequently feel lost regarding their illness. Education will be very important when the shift from acute to primary care occurs. Education and health promotion are areas in which this author plans to transform and improve in her practice.

Within the first 40 hours I attended and observed a patient education board meeting. The meeting consisted of nurses, doctors, and the library. The discussions are on how to educate the patients. Each department presents potential patient education material. All materials must be approved by the board and must adhere to a six-grade reading level. I observed the monthly nurses board meeting where the discussion focused on nurse’s research and submission of their work to the new digital repository.

Although teaching may be done first, last, or in the middle of patient care, teaching is a very important part of the nursing process. Teaching is important for the patient and family to understand the importance of their care, and it allows them to make an informed decision on the care they receive. To appropriately teach a patient we must look at the patient’s background, make a nursing diagnosis, develop behavioral objectives, outline the teaching plan, and evaluate the teaching’s effectiveness.

Yarbro, C., Wujchik, D., & Gobel, B. (2010). Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice (7th ed.). : Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Nursing professionals help individuals, families, and communities to attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. The needs of patient care have evolved together with the healthcare system for a few decades, setting higher standards and delegating more roles for nursing professionals. Nurses, especially those with a bachelor’s degree, should always maintain continued education and teach other healthcare professionals as well. This is to equip them with the tools required to deliver a holistic patient

Patient education has been a vital role for nurses. Over the years, the importance of educating patients has shown to improve outcomes and decrease re-hospitalization. With the advancement of technology in patient education, it has shown increase patient engagement and helps patients play and active role in their healthcare. These technologies can be used in the hospital, medical offices, at home and even on mobile devices. This gives several different opportunities to education patients and different ways for the patient to choose how they prefer to receive the information. Information technology helps with patient engagement which improves patient satisfaction, experience and positive outcomes (Patmon, Gee, Rylee & Readdy, 2016). These

Client family education is important because it helps to improve a patients knowledge on their health and ways to improve their health, so they can make educated decisions in their healthcare and lifestyle based on what they believe their needs are. Patient education is meant to influence behavior, through increased knowledge and skills to maintain and improve health (Habel, 2005, p.2). Nurse’s have a vital role in patient education, and their collaborative skills can help patient’s obtain the necessary tools needed to promote change. “Cost containment studies have shown that educated patients maintain better health and have fewer complications” (Habel, 2005, p.2), solidifying the importance of patient and family education.

Patient education is necessary for successful management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. A patient will diabetes has to monitor their insulin levels throughout the day. They also have to be educated on certain foods to avoid and other foods that help manage the disease process. In the hospital setting, there is usually more emphasis placed on fixing the problem at hand, rather than helping them better manage the disease that they are having to live with. I believe that there needs to be more emphasis on keeping the diabetic out of the hospital and if possible getting them off of their insulin if they are a type 2 diabetic.

A significant element in nursing is the need to convey information and educate the patient to facilitate achievement of an optimal health status. This teaching informs the patient and allows them to participate in their own care. Knowledge empowers the patient so they can incorporate it into their lives. Education directs the patient to resources, support and may enhance the patient’s coping skills. Information is a dynamic tool that, if utilized may contribute to better health outcomes.

The health professional’s role in teaching at different life stages is very demanding and gratifying. The health care professional should approach patients at their level. According to Falvo (2011), “Effective patient-centered patient teaching uses creative techniques in which psychosocial factors are identified and incorporated” (Pg 84). Medical jargon should not be used during teaching times

As a brand new nurse coming out of nursing school, you may be thinking that you have completed your education and that you are ready to start practicing as a Registered Nurse. As a new professional this is partially correct, but you still have many years of continuing education. There are two different aspects of continuing education for a nurse: advanced educational programs or specific continuing education courses. Throughout this discussion I will be focusing on the importance of continuing education for nurses. The American Nurses Association defines continuing education (CE) as “learning activities designed to augment the knowledge, skill and attitudes of nurses and therefore enrich the nurses’ contributions to quality healthcare” (as cited in Schaeffer, 2015, p. 13). Continuing education courses are not only important for the individual nurses competences and professionalism, but it is also important in regards to the care delivered to patients and the patient outcomes. Throughout this discussion I will explain the importance of CE, how it is beneficial to the nurse, and how it effects the patients we are giving care to.

There are many factors that contribute to a competent nurse. These factors are called Core Nursing Competencies. They are Patient-Centered Care, Professionalism, Leadership, Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration, Safety, Quality Improvement, and Evidence-Based Practice. These core competencies are not listed in order of importance as each piece plays a vital role in creating an excellent, competent medical-surgical nurse.

My philosophy of nursing education grows out of my philosophy of nursing. Much has been said related to healthcare reform, healthcare globalization, and healthcare delivery. A resounding theme in all of these discussions is the need for nurses to take a position of leadership in the healthcare industry (Institute of Medicine, 2010). I believe nurses, as leaders, are uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between the healthcare industry and a rapidly changing global environment. Nurses are educationally in tune to the proposed changes that are being made, yet sensitive enough to address the needs of individuals affected by these changes. In a global community, nurses advocate for the individual.