Nurses Who Care for Populations

October 7th, 2009

Nurses can work in many different areas of medicine and specialized in everything from diseases to body systems. Some can even specialize in entire populations including, but not limited to, babies, children, and the elderly.

Neonatal nurses specialize in caring for newborn infants who require special medical care because of prematurity, congenital malfunctions, sepsis, low birth weight, intrauterine grown retardation, or birth asphyxias. These types of nurses provide care for infants, including routine duties like diaper changes, feedings, and cuddles. They will also regularly take the temperature of babies, feed them formula, and administer any needed medications. When parents come to visit their babies, neonatal nurses teach them how to properly care for them so that parents can feel confident that are able to care for their infant themselves. They can work on three different levels depending on whether an infant is healthy, sick, or needs critical surgery. Neonatal nurses are specially trained to provide intravenous therapy, supplemental oxygen, or work with high technology that babies may need to survive, such as incubators or ventilators.

Pediatric nurses specialize in caring for patients from the ages of infancy to adolescents. They provide preventative and acute care by conducting routine "well child" examinations, developmental screenings, and the administration of immunizations. When patients come in sick, these nurses help diagnosis and treat common childhood illnesses, such as chickenpox, ear infections, and tonsillitis. To provide the best care for each child, pediatric nurses work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as family doctors, pediatric physicians, and other nurses. They also work closely with patients’ families, educating them about the role of health during child development, disease prevention, and proper nutrition. Pediatric nurses are sensitive to the emotional needs children have and are an important part of their treatment, as they help to put young patients at ease and understand why they are sick.

Geriatric nurses specialize in caring for adults who are age 65 and older. They provide care for patients who are experiencing health issues related to their aging bodies and minds. They assist doctors with assessing patients’ mental health skills, discussing their symptoms with them, and recommending adjustments to their medications. Geriatric nurses educate patients about disease prevention and health issues related to aging, as well as assist them with ways to deal with the mental and physical changers they are experiencing. Another important role of this specialized nurse is working with patient’s families and explaining the conditions of their loved ones. They also offer the families training on how to care for elderly members and connect them to resources that will assist them.

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