Different Types of Nurses and Their Roles in the Community

Nurses play a vital role in the health care industry. They provide basic care to patients and attend to patients' needs and perform basic duties. Nursing is the most diverse of all the health care professions and nurses practice in a different and wide range of settings.

Types of nurses

Certified Nurse Assistant or CNA - they are known as nursing aide, or as Home Health Aides or HHAs. They work under a registered nurse's supervision and assist patients in their daily tasks. Their main role is to closely observe their patient's health status; reactions to medication and treatment and update their supervisor or the registered nurse. They work in hospitals but they can also be found in nursing homes, hospice facilities, private homes and adult living facilities.

Registered Nurse or RN - registered nurses are able to perform various duties including providing treatments, educating patients and family members about a patient's medical condition and treatment, and they are able to provide them advice and emotional support. Registered nurses are degree or diploma holders and they can choose to further their career by acquiring advanced education in other specialties relating to particular conditions, area in the body or a certain type of patient such as children or an area in the hospital such as the Emergency Room or Operating Room. They are also in charge of directing or giving directions to licensed practical nurses and nurse assistants.

Public Health Nurse or PHN - they are registered nurses who specialize in the area of community health. They travel to patients' homes, community centers and schools. They work with individuals and families to provide accessible medical solutions to health concerns in particular communities.

Licensed Practical Nurse or LPN - licensed practical nurses work in hospitals, private homes, clinics, and long term care facilities providing basic care to patients. Employment in the field requires completion of an approved and accredited practical nursing course and a clean criminal record. They are able to perform basic laboratory exams, administer injections, and they are responsible for monitoring their patient's medical condition and reporting it to their supervisor or the registered nurse on duty. They also assist their patients in taking baths, eating, and even deliver assist in delivery of infants.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist or CRNA - aside from the completion of a bachelor's degree in nursing, certified registered nurse anesthetists spent two to three years of formal education in their specialization and have been certified as nurse anesthetists. They provide care for patients whoa re about to be given anesthesia before they undergo a surgery, during the surgery and after the procedure.

Occupational Health Nurse - occupational health nurses are usually found in companies working as company nurse providing basic health care to employees and workers. They also assist in the preparation of paper works for employees requiring admission to hospitals and out patient services that is beyond the company's clinic or medical facility. They can offer counseling and give advice on medical concerns, occupational hazards and safety issues concerning the industry they work for. Most of the time, they are part of the company's payroll and are considered direct employees to the company.