Nurses play an integral role in the healthcare system, and without them, it would be impossible for patients to get proper treatment. Since they are often the first people to contact patients, they must train in communication skills, interpersonal relationships and sensitivity towards patients’ needs.
Here are some ways nurses can contribute positively to society:
1.Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to help those who are less fortunate than you and gain experience at the same time. You will meet new people with similar interests and learn to work together towards a common goal. Volunteering makes you feel better about yourself and shows your support to society.
2.Help In Research Activities For Betterment Of The Patient’s Condition
People working in hospitals often participate in research activities to learn more about diseases and conditions. If you have medical knowledge, you can help in these activities. It will help you grow professionally and keep up-to-date with the latest developments worldwide.
3.Investing In the Right Skills
Investing in higher education can help nurses stay up to date. The first step in the right direction means stepping up from your registered nurse position. These nurses can enroll in an RN to BSN degree program to gain better skills and climb their career ladders.
4.Be A Mentor To Those With Less Knowledge About Medicine And Health Care
Not everyone knows everything about health care; therefore, having a professional by their side would prove very useful for individuals who need guidance or mentoring. A mentor can guide them through various aspects of medicine and health care, which may come in handy on many occasions.
5.Help The Elderly During Their Illness
The elderly are prone to illness due to age-related changes in the body and its functions. There could be several reasons for their illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, etc. However, the nursing staff is always there to assist them throughout their treatment. They can help them with medication, physical therapy, and other things related to their health.
6.Spread Awareness Among People Regarding Different Diseases And Conditions
This is the best way for nurses to spread awareness regarding different diseases and conditions. When you tell others how to prevent a particular disease or condition, they become aware of the risk factors involved. Therefore, if you know certain facts about a specific disease or condition, then share them with others so that they too can learn something new. It will not only benefit others but will also increase your knowledge base and skills.
7.Advocate For Social Change
Nurses are usually very active in advocating for social change. They do this by spreading awareness regarding health issues, educating people about diseases and conditions, and working for the community’s welfare. They can even create campaigns to raise funds for various causes. These activities help educate people about social issues and motivate them to act against them.
8.Help Others With Basic Medical Assistance
As a nurse, you might be required to give basic medical assistance to people from all walks of life. You can help them with simple first aid procedures and show them how to handle minor injuries. This will help you develop excellent communication skills, as well. You can even teach them how to use various equipment available in a hospital, which will benefit them in emergencies.
9.Teach Students About Various Aspects Of Health Care
A nurse can also act as a teacher by teaching students about various aspects of health care. They can teach students about diseases and conditions, perform CPR, treat wounds and fractures, what medications to administer to patients, etc. By doing this, you will pass on your knowledge to others and learn new things regularly.
10.Foster Empathy In Children
Children are curious and ask many questions when they see adults around them. Sometimes, they ask really difficult ones, which require detailed answers. So, if you have a positive attitude and are willing to answer their queries, you can help children learn a thing or two about health care. This will allow them to understand the importance of being healthy and encourage them to eat and exercise regularly.
11.Support Emergency Relief Services
During natural disasters, sometimes people get trapped inside damaged buildings. When this happens, it becomes very difficult for them to escape. Therefore, a trained nurse can rescue people from such situations by providing emergency assistance, which involves administering first aid and helping people evacuate the area safely.
12.Help In Natural Disasters
Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes often occur without prior warning. Therefore, it becomes very important to help and save lives in such cases. During such times, nurses can offer their services by providing first aid to victims and evacuating the affected areas, ensuring that no one gets seriously injured or dies because of proper treatment.
13.Participate In The Community Development Process
To improve the living conditions, nurses can help in various ways. They can organize talks and seminars about the importance of hygiene and cleanliness, educate people about the benefits of a healthy diet, help in cleaning public places, and much more.
14.Help The Government Make Laws Regarding Health Care
Nurses have a big role in making the laws regarding health care in the country. They can provide suggestions for better medical facilities and suggest ways to improve the current system. This will help the government build a stronger health care system, which will benefit the people in the long run.
15.Encourage Patients To Take Proper Care Of Their Health
Patients don’t always know how to take care of themselves. They may ignore symptoms or fail to seek medical advice. As a nurse, you can help them take proper care of their health by explaining the importance of preventive health measures. This will ensure that they do not get ill again in the future and lead healthier lives.
16.Spread Awareness About The Importance Of Vaccinations
Vaccinations are one of the most effective methods to protect children from diseases and infections. However, people still choose to skip this step because they think these injections are harmful or painful. Nurses can help overcome this fear by telling them about the benefits of vaccinations and how they can make a difference to the health of both the mother and child. This will motivate people to follow the vaccination schedule and reduce the rate of infant mortality.
Final Words
There are many opportunities for nurses to make a positive impact on society. They can volunteer, mentor people, help others, support emergency relief efforts, participate in community development programs, and more. All these activities will help them grow personally and professionally. Nurses can also spread awareness regarding various health issues and motivate people to make the right choices. This will ultimately help them live longer and lead happier lives.
