My job does not include hands on patient care. I do case management, so a lot of my work is information entry. I also provide health education to foster parents, biological parents, social workers, and foster children. Most of the education I provide is over the telephone. I discuss symptoms with the caller, and help them determine the best cause of action in regards to their situation. I was taught in undergrad nursing school that my nursing advice should always end with "but if you are concerned, you should check with your doctor." My nursing professor told us this was the best way to avoid legal liability from your suggestions. I have tried to use this saying as needed. I once had a parent call, terrified that her child was going to die of lead poisoning because she stepped on a pencil. I spent a long time on the phone with her, explaining that pencils are not made of lead anymore (they are made of graphite), and discussing the difference between a gaping wound and a small cut.
I have spent time trying to think of nurses who do not teach. Initially I thought of research nurses. Research nurses may not directly educate patients, but they do contribute to education and teaching, so I do not know if that counts. I have noticed that I use my nursing education to teach all the time, not just in my professional life. I explain procedures to family and friends, discuss symptoms, and provide suggestions on home care. My phone often rings or receives text messages asking what to do with an ill child, or an injured spouse. I am happy to help, and glad I am able to provide educated information.
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Hi Erin, nice comments plus excellent work on your blog. I agree that as a case manager you definitely do a lot of teaching that may not be apparent because it mostly happens in an informal setting. Your comment on research nurses and if they really teach was also compelling. So in fact research nurses do a lot of teaching, for example, when they conduct a research study and publish their findings they are not only adding to a body of knowledge but also educating others on what they have discovered. I would argue that there is an area of nursing that is exempt from teaching, we are constantly in both formal and informal setting. We teach from our homes to our jobs – our family members, patients, neighbors, and even ourselves.
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