Theatre Nurses
Theatre nurses are based in hospitals and work primarily in operating theatres and also associated anaesthetic and recovery areas. They are also involved with procedures on wards, clinics or in other specialist areas including cardiac catheterisation units.
Renal Nurse
A renal, nephrology or dialysis nurse has responsibility for the care of patients with kidney disease. Nephrology is the specialisation in medicine that deals with the kidney. This type of nurse may work within clinics, homes or hospitals. His or her duties range from educating patients through to operating dialysis equipment. In addition to caring for each patient, a renal nurse performs clerical tasks and reports to physicians as required. A renal nurse is a specialist in the field of nephrology and must be a registered nurse.
ODP Nurse
ODPs (Operating Department Practitioners) provide patient care and skilled support, alongside medical and nursing colleagues during peri-operative treatment and care. The ODP’s role involves the application of theory to practice in a range of clinical settings. They need a broad knowledge and skill base - including both management and communication skills - and will be involved with assessment, delivery and evaluation of peri-operative support.
Midwives
Midwives provide advice, care and support services to women and their partners and families before, during and also after childbirth. They help women to make their own decisions about the care and services that they access. They care for new-born children and provide health education and parenting support for the first 28 days of life - after this, care transfers to a health visitor. Midwives are responsible for the health of both mother and child and only refer to obstetricians should there be medical complications. They work in multidisciplinary teams within both hospital and, increasingly, community healthcare settings.
Cardiac Nurse
Cardiac nurses assess and care for patients with heart problems. These range in severity from arrhythmias to heart transplants. They must be able to immediately assist in treating or diagnosing a person who undergoes a sudden life-threatening emergency. When a medical condition damages the heart, swift action has to be taken. Cardiac nurses monitor patients for any signs of a change in condition, administer medication, help with basic personal care needs, and also work with the cardiologist to develop a plan of action for each patient's care.
Surgical/Medical Nurses
A surgical nurse specialises in perioperative care – which is provided to surgical patients before, during and after surgery. There are different categories of surgical nurse: surgical nursing as a career can be demanding. Compensation in this field varies, depending in which hospital a nurse works.
Paediatric Nurse
Paediatric nursing is a field where nurses are involved in the treatment and care of infants, children and also teenagers. It has become a popular nursing field of choice for those seeking a nursing career. People who are of a compassionate nature and love to be with children may choose to become paediatric nurses. The major responsibility is to look after the overall health of the patient, taking into account the concerns and wishes of responsible adults.
NICU Nurse
Registered Nurses (RNs) engaged in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) care for new-borns that are sick or premature. The nurses work within a team of healthcare professionals to provide the necessary medical care for patients. The critical care specialists are state-licensed; they hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing. NICU RNs usually work in hospitals.
ITU/HDU Nurses
ICU registered nurses provide patient care and support for each patient's family. RNs work alongside the patient's physicians and provide direction to other nurses and nursing assistants who work within the unit. ICU registered nurses ensure that the life support equipment, such as ventilators and feeding tubes, operate properly. They monitor the patient's heart rate, blood pressure and respiration for signs of distress. Registered nurses also administer IVs, medication and also insert catheters as needed.
A & E Nurse
The role is to assess patients presenting to the A+E department with mental health, psychological and SL misuse problems, including those who may have deliberately self-harmed. Also to devise and deliver interim management plans for patients in the A+E department. And to provide mental health nursing support to clients on the Clinical Decision Unit – so as to ensure provision of an effective and efficient mental health service in A+E. Finally, to provide effective mental health assessments and interventions.
District Nurse/Community/Health Visitors
District nurses play a key role in the primary health care team. They visit people in their homes or residential care homes, providing care for patients and supporting family members. As well as direct patient care, district nurses also have a teaching role, working with patients to enable them to care for themselves – and with family members teaching them how to give care to their relatives. District nurses play a vital role in keeping hospital admissions to a minimum and ensuring that patients can return to their homes as soon as possible.
