According to Nielsen, what role should nurses have in a universal health care system?
A) nurses should have extended duties such as being able to prescribe medications
B) nurses should be able to attend to routine procedures normally handled by physicians
C) nurses should have the same duties as physicians in terms of treating patients.
D) A, B
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D) A, B.
According to Nielsen, nurses should play an expanded role in a universal healthcare system. This involves both extended duties such as being able to prescribe medications and attending to routine procedures that are typically handled by physicians. Nurses in this framework would be empowered to take on more responsibilities to help ease the burden on physicians and improve patient care, particularly in settings where healthcare resources may be stretched thin.
One key aspect of this model is prescription authority. In some countries, nurses with advanced training, such as nurse practitioners, already have the ability to prescribe medications. This is seen as a way to enhance access to care, particularly in underserved areas, where the number of physicians may be limited. It also allows for more efficient healthcare delivery by enabling nurses to manage common health conditions without always needing to involve a physician.
Another critical point is that nurses should be able to attend to routine procedures normally handled by physicians. This includes tasks like conducting physical exams, ordering diagnostic tests, and initiating treatment plans for common illnesses. Nurses are often the first point of contact for patients and can identify health issues early. By allowing them to handle more routine procedures, this approach helps to alleviate the workload of physicians, enabling them to focus on more complex cases.
In a universal healthcare system, such a model can lead to better healthcare outcomes by improving the distribution of labor, reducing wait times, and enhancing patient satisfaction. It also allows for a more collaborative healthcare environment, where nurses and physicians work together to provide comprehensive care. Nurses’ ability to take on these expanded roles can also contribute to cost-effective healthcare by utilizing the full potential of the nursing workforce.