The intense workload wears out the nurses physically and mentally!

Noting that nursing is one of the cornerstones of modern health services with multidimensional responsibility, experts also say that nurses are the first to notice the patient's emotional reactions such as anxiety, fear and pain, as they are healthcare professionals who spend 24 hours a day with the patient and his family.

Heavy workload and lack of staff; Pointing out that the number of patients per nurse is high and therefore nurses experience physical and psychological burnout and psychological wear and tear quickly, Vice President of the Department of Nursing. Asst. Prof. Nuriye Pekcan said, "Increasing the number of personnel and balancing the workload; Employment of nurses should be increased, workload in hospitals should be distributed fairly, and anti-burnout support programs for healthcare workers should be implemented."

Üsküdar University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Vice President of the Department of Nursing, Asst. Prof. Nuriye Pekcan drew attention to the indispensable role of nursing in modern health services on the occasion of May 12-18 Nurses Week.

What are the main roles of nursing?

Noting that there have been very rapid developments in health services from past to present, Asst. Prof. Nuriye Pekcan said, "Nursing is one of the cornerstones of modern health services with multidimensional responsibility. According to the definition of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), a nurse is 'a person who helps to protect and improve the health of the individual, family and society, participates in the healing and rehabilitation of illness, and contributes to the development and implementation of therapeutic and educational plans of the health team'. Their main roles are; caregiver role, therapeutic role, education and consultant role, patient rights advocacy role, researcher and developer role, manager role, intervener role in crises and disasters."

The role of the nurse in the treatment process

Stating that the treatment process of the patients starts with the first acceptance and evaluation stage, and that the data obtained form the basis for the treatment application and follow-up phase, Asst. Prof. Nuriye Pekcan continued as follows:

"At this stage, it is important not only to administer the treatment, but also to monitor the response to the treatment and possible side effects. Since he is a healthcare professional who spends 24 hours a day with the patient and his family, he is the first person to notice the patient's emotional reactions such as anxiety, fear and pain. Thanks to this communication, the patient feels safe and his compliance with the treatment increases. It is the nurse who needs to be prepared for the sudden deterioration of the patient, to make the first intervention and to make the necessary coordination, and in such cases, the ability to make quick decisions and implement them can be life-saving. Education on the effect of treatment, home care before discharge, use of medications, lifestyle changes for a healthy life, and control appointments are another important stage of the treatment process.

They provide not only physical but also psychosocial support

Stating that human beings should be handled not only with their physical but also with their psychological and social dimensions, Asst. Prof. Nuriye Pekcan said, "For this reason, the roles of nurses by considering people in all their dimensions are the key to holistic healing. The roles of nurses, especially in terms of psychosocial support, include the responsibility of protecting and supporting the mental and emotional well-being of the patient, beyond the physical health of the patient. In order to fulfill this responsibility, they should have the skills to provide emotional support, to communicate and listen effectively with the patient and his family, to show cultural and social sensitivity, to provide psychological support and psychological first aid in times of crisis, to guide long-term chronic patients, to establish a relationship of trust and to direct them to social support resources when necessary."

The nursing profession faces many challenges

Stating that the nursing profession is facing many difficulties today, Asst. Prof. Nuriye Pekcan listed these challenges as follows:

"Heavy workload and lack of staff; Due to the high number of patients per nurse and therefore nurses experience physical and psychological burnout and psychological wear and tear quickly.

Low wages and economic inadequacy; Nurses have inadequate salaries and personal rights compared to the labor they give.

Lack of professional dignity and negative social perception; Although it is one of the oldest professions with a professional code, there are still masses who perceive nursing as a 'doctor's assistant'.

Lack of managerial and institutional support; The inability of nurses to participate in decision-making processes causes the limitation of professional autonomy. Differences and lack of standardization in education; The difference in standards between educational institutions can create inequality in post-graduation knowledge and skill levels."

Anti-burnout support programs for healthcare workers should be implemented

Stating that there may be different solutions for these problems, Asst. Prof. Nuriye Pekcan also listed the solution suggestions as follows:

"Increasing the number of staff and balancing the workload; Nurse employment should be increased and the workload in hospitals should be distributed fairly. Improving wage policies: Nurses' salaries, on-call wages and benefits should be renewed in both the public and private sectors to increase professional satisfaction.

Public awareness campaigns: The reputation of the profession should be raised through projects that emphasize the academic, scientific and professional aspects of nursing.

Psychological support and counseling services: Anti-burnout support programs for healthcare workers should be implemented.

Improving professional autonomy: Nurses' participation in management processes should be increased and decision-making authority should be strengthened.

Standardization and continuous improvement in education: A standard of quality should be ensured among nursing schools, and continuous professional development should be encouraged after graduation.

Doctor-nurse cooperation...

Noting that the cooperation of nurses and physicians is indispensable in terms of providing quality, safe and effective patient care in modern health services, Asst. Prof. Nuriye Pekcan said, "This cooperation; It should be based on a balanced system based on mutual respect and communication, where roles are clearly defined. The balance between these two occupational groups, which complement each other, directly determines the quality of health services."

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)