What Role Do Nurses and Healthcare Assistants Play During an Epidemic?

by Tyler P. A Passionate Blogger - Entertainment Summary: The role of nurses during an epidemic like COVID-19 involves several activities that play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

In the event of an epidemic like COVID-19, most people often have the feeling of insecurity. Nurses and healthcare assistants are usually on the front line during such situations. They work as healthcare providers, advocates, communicators, and comforters while putting themselves at risk of contracting the disease. The best infection control and prevention course offers training on how nurses can best handle such situations.

In the event of a crisis, healthcare professionals are forced to recognize the importance of nurses. The best infection control and prevention course enables nurses to work accordingly, even while under pressure. Handling epidemics isn’t easy, which is why nurses should enroll in online classes by looking for mandatory training for care staff.

Importance of Nurses in Public Health
Though nurses have a crucial role to play during an outbreak, they also contribute significantly to public health before the occurrence of an emergency. Some nurses work for non-profit organizations, critical public health entities, and other agencies that promote positive initiatives in public health. They usually provide the public with sufficient information regarding how to avoid infectious diseases by implementing public health regulations and policies.

In the event of an emergency, nurses then become the primary point of contact for those affected. Nurses are trained to handle the increased workload as well as stress, which is a characteristic of the activities involved during an outbreak.

Nurses Respond to Different Situations
There has been a shortage of healthcare workers as the world population continues to increase. Several areas lack enough healthcare providers equipped to handle disease outbreaks. Recent research shows that most people are unaware of the work that nurses do in the event of an epidemic.

Nurses have a crucial role to play in the prevention and spread of infectious diseases. They have valuable expertise, informed perspectives, and competencies that enable them to carry out their tasks effectively.

Some of the work done by nurses during infectious disease outbreaks include;
Collecting samples
Tracing the contacts of those infected
Noting down the health histories of those infected
Taking part in monitoring and surveillance
Educating the public on ways to avoid being infected

Nurses are Trained to be Prepared
One common theme included in all studies about the role of nurses in the event of an epidemic is that all relevant agencies, such as non-profit organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders, is preparation. Proper planning that includes the strategies to be implemented during an outbreak allows a particular country to handle such situations.

Nurses can prepare for such situations by educating the public on ways to avoid and control the spread of infectious diseases. They also have to prepare relevant epidemic response plans to curb the spread of such diseases.

Nurses are also responsible for providing physical care to patients during an epidemic. Such care involves communicating with the patients, providing emotional care, educating them about that particular disease, and advocating for the patients. They ensure that the patients receive the prescribed medications as they monitor their progress. 

Nurses also communicate with the patients’ families by updating them on the progress of their loved ones. They also generate reports of the patients’ condition to enable the doctor to treat the patient accordingly. Nurses play an essential role before, during, and after the occurrence of an outbreak. The role of nurses during an infectious disease outbreak shows how vital these professionals are in regards to public health.

Sponsor Ads

• Ad Space Available - Rent it Now!

Created on Mar 11th 2020 00:58. Viewed 278 times.

Comments