THE MODERN NURSE

To find her answer, the nurse will do well to remember what we have already found out. That is the patient needs care not only for his physical well being. His whole world gets affected the world which has important parts belonging to his mental, spiritual, cultural, social aspects of his life. All these must be cared for. Only then can the nurse hope to achieve her goal of full recovery of her charge. Also, apart from looking after the health of the individual, the nurse has also to look after the needs (health) of the society she is serving. Looking after the community health as well as the handicapped mentally and physically is part of her job.

As with any profession dealing directly with members of a society, nursing must evolve and improve and grow with every additional stage of development that the society reaches. It is thus that in the Present day (setting) nurses are essential members of health care teams together with member of other professions, including physicians and surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, porters, ambulance men, and voluntary workers. These are needed as a team because in the modern context what patients need is total care which a nurse cannot give all by herself. She must get and take the help of all the relevant specialists. And that is possible only when they work as a team the health team.