Do nurses work for doctors?

Many people are now wondering why a nurse would have the audacity to call a doctor at Manhyia Hospital to change a prescription order, making this question even more pertinent.

The roles of nurses are described as both independent and #collaborative by the International Council of Nursing (ICN). Additionally, nurses have the unique responsibility of providing care for both the ill and the well, monitoring their reactions to changes in their health, and aiding them with tasks related to their wellbeing, rehabilitation, and even a dignified death (Henderson, 1966).

Therefore, a nurse may be described as a trained professional who provides care for people who are both ill and healthy, evaluates how they respond to health demands, and supports them in such circumstances.

Who then qualifies as a medical doctor, and are they the nurses' superiors? According to Siegel (2019), medical professionals evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients mostly after sitting with them and listening to their concerns. The duties of nurses and doctors are obviously separate from one another. Furthermore, neither definition suggests that one component is more important than the other.

The jobs of doctors and nurses may overlap, as it has been pointed out; one cares for patients while the other treats them. In our area of work, we deal with the same people on a daily basis and occasionally employ similar strategies.

Another question that arises when this claim is made is, "Well, don't nurses have to follow the doctors' orders?" which is entirely accurate. However, it is also part of a doctor's obligation to work alongside a nurse. Consider a situation where a nurse calls a code but a doctor does not respond because, well, a nurse called the code. Or a doctor may opt not to prescribe a painkiller only based on a nurse's suggestion. This would be clearly unprofessional and unethical. Each member of the #multidisciplinary team has to work collaboratively with each other to ensure positive patient outcomes.

I suppose I'd conclude with what has happened in history. When nurses were essentially doctors' aides who sheepishly followed orders. Currently, this is absolutely not the case. I hope your confusion has been resolved. Now let us return to the wards, collaborate, and provide exceptional care to our patients.

Stephan,

RN, KATH