Can anyone tell me what jobs a nurse typically does?

I'm thinking about going into nursing because I really enjoy helping people, but I'd like to know more about the everyday duties a nurse has. What kind of tasks and responsibilities are common in this job?

As a nurse, you'll carry out a multitude of tasks each day. Duties can vary greatly depending on the type of nursing (registered nurse, nurse practitioner, etc.), the setting in which you work (hospital, clinic, home healthcare, etc.), and the specific department or specialty area (pediatrics, emergency, oncology, cardiac care, etc.).

In general, nurses typically:

1. Patient Care: This includes tasks like measuring vital signs, administering medications, dressing wounds, and assisting with personal hygiene needs. Additionally, you may be involved in more advanced care like performing diagnostic tests or administering treatments.

2. Patient Assessment: A big part of a nurse's duties is ongoing patient assessment, including observing, listening, and evaluating patient conditions. You might need to conduct physical exams, interpret patient history, or analyze results from lab exams.

3. Communication: You'll interact with a variety of individuals, including patients, families, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Good communication is vital to provide optimal patient care and coordinate with the healthcare team.

4. Documentation and Administration: Nurses are responsible for maintaining accurate, detailed records of patients' symptoms, medical histories, medications, treatments given, and responses to treatments.

5. Patient Education: Educating patients and their families about managing their health condition, medication management, post-discharge care and overall wellness is another critical part of a nurse's role.

6. Emergency care: In cases of an accident or sudden illness, nurses provide immediate care, administer first aid, or stabilize patients before they can see a doctor.

Remember, nursing is a demanding career both physically and emotionally, but many nurses find it to be immensely rewarding due to the lives they touch and improve through their work.