Registered specialist nurses
Description
Registered specialist nurses provide specialised nursing care and plan ongoing treatment for the sick, injured and others in need of care, take responsibility for patients within their sphere of practice and assist medical doctors with their tasks, work with other healthcare professionals and within teams of healthcare workers. They advise on and teach nursing practices.
Tasks
- Provides specialist care in their area of expertise, assesses patients, determines treatments and conducts a variety of medical procedures
- Consults with and provides guidance to other nurses and healthcare professionals within their specialism
- Gives consultations with patients and their families to explain a patient's condition and possible treatments
- Plans duty rotas and organises and directs the work and training of ward and theatre nursing staff
- Advises on nursing care, disease prevention, nutrition, etc. and liaises with hospital board/management on issues concerning nursing policy
- Plans, manages, provides and evaluates nursing care services for patients, supervises the implementation of nursing care plans
- Delivers lectures, and other forms of formal training relating to nursing practice
Educational Requirements
A degree or equivalent qualification is required as well as significant relevant experience. Courses comprise both theoretical and practical work, including placements in hospital and community settings. Full time diploma courses last three years; degree courses last three or four years. Accelerated programmes are available to graduates with a health-related degree. Post-registration training is available for a range of clinical specialisms.
