SALUTE TO MODERN-DAY FLORENCE NIGHTINGALES

Zulkiple Ibrahim


Inconjunction with the international Day for Nurses on May 12

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Mei (Bernama) -- Many are in the opinion that excellence in
the nursing education is still within the hold of public health institutions
despite the lucrative remuneration offered by the private sector.

Despite the existence of numerous nursing schools in the country, many among
the retired and working nurses are in the opinion that the public nursing
colleges that are linked with government hospitals, are the best place to obtain
knowledge for those who wish to pursue the career of nursing.

These nursing colleges are that managed by either the Health Ministry or
Education Ministry.

According to former specialist nurse Zubaidah Majeed, nurses carry a heavy
burden as they are among the front-liners that have to ensure the best treatment
for patients.

"There are several private hospitals who are willing to buy out the
contracts of nurses who are working in public hospitals in order to obtain their
ready-made skills and knowledge.

"If you (nurses) are working in government hospitals, they (private
hospitals) are willing to compensate for those who are still under contract.
what more if you have the Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Nursing.

MODERN ERA

The modern era saw the rapid development in the nursing profession.

"Now nurses have significant roles in the administration of health
institutions. They are also involved in research work conducted by the local and
foreign universities," said former nursing tutor S.N. Lim.

She said the main aim of the nursing community is to expand the profession
via education based on nursing research apart from regulating the nursing ethics
and skills.

This also delved into the nursing care provided.

She said nurses now are involved in various sectors both in the public and
private sectors. Nurses also act as consultants and advisers for the healthcare
and insurance.

There are several divisions of nursing like psychiatry and mental health,
paediatric (children), geriatric (old people) as well as other specialised
fields like cardiac, orthopaedic, paliative and perioperative care and oncolgy
nursing.


NURSING PROCESS

Despite much has been said about nurses and the nursing profession, not many
among the public know about the 'Nursing process' which is the core of the
nursing profession.

According to Zubaidah, the nursing process is a process where the nurse
delivers treatment and care for the patient. It is a cyclical and continuous
process which only comes to a stop when a problem is finallly solved.

The nursing process comes to existent in each problem faced by the patient
and at each moment experienced by the patient.

The process is not static and not only comes as one. It can change depending
on the situation of the patient, whether the person is getting better or the
otherwise.

She said the nursing process is not something complex and difficult. The
process takes into account the knowledge and skills of the nurse to initiate it.

The International Nurses Day falls on May 12 each year. It honours the birth
date of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) regarded as the pioneer of modern
nurses.

The theme is 'Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Care
Innovations'.

-- BERNAMA