What does a head nurse do? How is it different from a regular nurse?

Okay, this is a very common question that many people find confusing. Let me explain it in plain language.

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What does a Head Nurse do? How is it different from a Regular Nurse?

Think of a hospital department (like the Cardiology or Orthopedics ward) as a class, or a small team.

• A Regular Nurse is like a classmate in that class, or a team member in that squad.
• The Head Nurse is like the class monitor and life committee member, or the team leader of that squad.

Does that give you a general idea? Now, let's get into the specifics.

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I. Regular Nurse: The Frontline "Executor" and "Guardian"

Regular nurses are the people we most commonly interact with in hospitals. They are the "frontline soldiers" providing direct patient care. Their main responsibilities include:

• Carrying out doctor's orders: When a doctor prescribes medication or a treatment plan, the nurse is the one who carries it out. This includes giving injections, administering IVs, dispensing medication, and changing dressings.
• Monitoring patient condition: They are closest to the patients and need to constantly observe changes in their condition – like temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and any discomfort – then record it promptly and report to the doctor. They are the doctor's "eyes and ears."
• Providing daily care: Assisting patients with limited mobility with daily activities like hygiene, eating, and using the toilet, maintaining their comfort and dignity.
• Communication and reassurance: Patients are often anxious or stressed during hospitalization. Nurses need to communicate with patients and their families, explain conditions and instructions, and provide psychological support and comfort.

In short, the core focus of a regular nurse's work is the "patient." They are responsible for the direct care of specific patients assigned to them.

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II. Head Nurse: The Department's "Chief Administrator" and "Coordinator"

Although the Head Nurse also started as a nurse, their focus has shifted from "managing patients" to "managing tasks" and "managing people." They are like the "brain" and the "backbone" of the entire nursing team in the department.

Their main responsibilities include:

• Managing the entire nursing team:

  • Scheduling: With dozens of nurses in the department, the Head Nurse must plan who works day shifts, night shifts, and rotations to ensure 24/7 coverage without overworking anyone.
  • Training: When new nurses join, the Head Nurse is responsible for their orientation and training. When new nursing techniques or regulations come out, they organize training sessions.
  • Supervision and evaluation: They ensure every nurse's work meets standards, that the quality of care is up to par, and conduct performance evaluations.

• Managing department resources:

  • Are there enough instruments, equipment, medications, and supplies (like cotton swabs, gauze) in the ward? Do they need to be ordered? Who fixes broken equipment? The Head Nurse handles all this as the department's "chief administrator."

• Communication and coordination:

  • The Head Nurse is a crucial communication hub. They coordinate treatment plan execution with doctors, communicate with patients and families to resolve conflicts and complaints, liaise with other departments (like the pharmacy or lab), and report to the hospital's Nursing Department leadership.

• Handling emergencies:

  • If a patient suddenly becomes critically ill requiring resuscitation, or if a medical dispute arises, the Head Nurse must step in immediately to organize the response, calm families, report the situation, and is the primary person responsible for crisis management.

In short, the core focus of the Head Nurse's work is "the nursing operations of the entire department." They are responsible for the smooth functioning, quality, and safety of the whole team.

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Summary of Key Differences

To make it clearer, here's a simple table:

Overall, regular nurses and head nurses are colleagues with different roles but a shared mission. An excellent head nurse always grows from being an outstanding regular nurse. Their common goal is to ensure patients receive the best possible care and recover quickly.