Definition : Nurse

Nurses are responsible for providing quality patient care, promoting health, preventing illness and facilitating recovery for patients with a variety of conditions. They work closely with physicians, other health professionals and members of the health care team to ensure holistic, coordinated treatment.

A nurse's responsibilities are varied and include initial assessment of patients, taking vital signs, administering prescribed medications and treatments, performing diagnostic tests, preparing patients for surgical procedures, carefully monitoring patients' health status, providing emergency care, and implementing specific care protocols.

To ensure the safety of the patients in their care, it's vital for nurses to keep their skills up to date, especially when it comes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Professional orders such as the Ordre des infirmiers et des infirmières du Québec (OIIQ) and the Ordre des infirmiers et des infirmières auxiliaires du Québec (OIIAQ) define nurses' CPR responsibilities.

According to the Code of Ethics for Nurses, it is a nurse's duty to render immediate assistance to a person in mortal danger, unless there is a risk to the nurse, third parties or for other reasonable reasons (chapter I-8, r.9, article 1). In addition, nurses are required to practice their profession in accordance with generally recognized standards of practice and scientific principles, and to ensure the updating and development of their professional skills (chapter I-8, r.9, articles 18-19).

The Code of Ethics for Licensed Practical Nurses also stresses the importance of updating knowledge and perfecting professional skills and abilities (Article 3). In addition, it stipulates that members must provide diligent care and treatment to patients, intervene promptly when necessary, ensure the supervision required by the patient's state of health, and take reasonable measures to ensure continuity of care and treatment (Article 13).

Our ""="">CPR/AED Healthcare Professional (Annual)" training is designed primarily for nurses. Our CPR training for healthcare professionals lasts five (5) hours and is 100% online.

In addition to their technical duties, nurses play a crucial role in educating patients and their families, providing them with information on their medical condition, treatment procedures, medications and home care needed to facilitate their recovery. They provide emotional and psychological support to patients and their loved ones, encouraging and helping them to cope with the challenges associated with illness or convalescence.

A nurse's skills go beyond clinical expertise. They must demonstrate compassion, empathy and respect for their patients, maintaining confidentiality and guaranteeing their dignity. They must also be equipped with effective communication skills to interact with a wide variety of patients, collaborate with members of the care team and convey important information clearly and concisely.

Nurses also play a key role in promoting public health by taking part in disease prevention activities, advising on healthy lifestyles, helping to raise awareness of certain health problems and encouraging participation in screening and vaccination programs.

To become a nurse, you need to undergo specialized training at an accredited school or university, where you will acquire in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge in nursing. Once qualified, a nurse must engage in continuing education to keep abreast of the latest medical advances and care practices.