General nurse duties encompass a wide range of responsibilities that support patient care and the healthcare team[1].
- Assessing and recording symptoms: Nurses ask patients about symptoms, record vital signs, and update medical records with diagnoses and treatment plans. They gather information such as allergies, current medications, and relevant family history to assist with diagnosis[1].
- Administering treatments: Nurses participate in developing treatment plans, administer medications prescribed by physicians, treat minor injuries, clean and dress wounds, insert and remove catheters, and change bandages[1].
- Performing diagnostic tests: Nurses collect blood, tissue, urine, or stool samples for lab analysis, analyze results, and share findings with medical team members[1].
- Conducting physical examinations: Nurses assess a patient’s overall health before new treatment plans by checking temperature, blood pressure, heartbeat, and evaluating reflexes, throat, eyes, ears, and nose[1].
- Providing support and advice: Nurses ensure patients are comfortable, help them understand treatment plans, provide support during difficult medical news, and advise on health improvement and recovery options[1].
- Delivering basic care: This includes helping patients with mobility, hygiene, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with basic needs[7].
- Health education: Nurses educate patients and families about conditions and self-care, encourage healthy lifestyle changes, and connect patients to support resources[2].
- Updating patient charts: Nurses maintain accurate health records, document symptom changes, new diagnoses, medication administration, and treatment outcomes[2].
- Coordinating communication: Nurses relay information between doctors, technicians, patients, and families to ensure coordinated and effective care[2].
- Preparing patients for procedures: Responsibilities include preparing patients for surgery, inserting IVs, drawing blood, removing stitches, and checking protocols[2].
- Advocacy and support: Nurses advocate for patients to receive appropriate care and support, including facilitating communication with insurance providers and reaching out to emergency contacts[2].
- Attention to detail and problem-solving: Nurses must be detail-oriented to avoid mistakes, interpret diagnostic results, and use critical thinking to address complex patient needs[1].
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