Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, and recover optimal health and quality of life. Nursing is the backbone of health care provision in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The ANA states nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.
(American Nursing Associations, 2020)
Students who choose nursing as a career are those who enjoy making a difference to people’s lives. It’s a career that helps you save lives, bring happiness to individuals and their families, and comfort to those in need. From mental health and aged care to rehabilitation and midwifery, there are many areas where you can make a positive impact. If you’re a compassionate, strong-valued person with an urge to help others, studying nursing is a great career move. While caring for patients fighting for their life can be a challenging experience, nurses still report a high level of job satisfaction.
CAREER PATH
Primary Healthcare Nursing
Primary healthcare nurses provide professional nursing care to assigned patients in an outpatient facility or clinic. They record patient histories, perform various diagnostic tests, administer medications, and develop patient care plans in collaboration with other medical professionals.
Surgical Care Nursing
Nurses in surgical care are involved in providing comprehensive care to patients in the pre-operative phase, during surgery, and in the post-operative phase throughout the nursing process, which includes assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care. They monitor patients' conditions, vital signs, administer medications, and manage surgical sites and wounds. Additionally, they provide education to patients and their families on pre- and post-operative care, wound management, and the use of long-term surgical devices. These specialized nurses can work in surgical units such as operating room nurses, surgical unit nurses, and endoscopy nurses.
Maternity and Gynecology Nursing
Nurses who work in this specialty focus on providing nursing care related to gynecological issues, reproductive health, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and peri-post menopausal care. They offer emotional and physical support throughout the pregnancy journey and provide essential education to new mothers on caring for their newborns.Maternity units encompass various specialized areas, including gynecology units, labor and delivery units, and postpartum units.
Community Care Nursing
Community health nurses play a vital role in serving the public within their own environments to promote wellness and enhance healthcare. They strive to achieve positive outcomes, especially in critical situations, and serve as agents of positive change in their communities. Fields within community nursing include school nursing, community nursing, occupational nursing, primary healthcare, and home healthcare.
CAREER PATH
Medical Care Nursing
Medical nurses are involved in providing comprehensive care to patients throughout the nursing process, which includes assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care. They monitor patients' conditions, vital signs, and administer medications. Additionally, they provide education to patients and their families on medical conditions and long-term diseases. Medical nursing can involve specialization in units such as oncology nursing and dialysis nursing.
Pediatric and Neonatal Nursing
Pediatric care units include specialized areas like the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, medical pediatric unit, surgical pediatric unit, and hematology pediatric unit.Neonatal care nurses provide nursing care for newborn babies and children. whether they require medical or surgical care. Pediatric care nurses, on the other hand, offer comprehensive care to ill children and their families, addressing their physical, psychological, and emotional needs. These nurses assess children's requirements through symptom analysis and provide education to the families.
Critical Care Nursing
Critical care nurses specialize in providing care to patients who need immediate medical attention, including those suffering from trauma, injury, or severe medical conditions that demand urgent treatment. They work throughout the nursing process to stabilize patients and minimize pain and life-threatening situations. Critical care specialists typically manage critically ill patients who may require mechanical ventilation and advanced medical care and devices. Critical care units encompass various specialized areas, including intensive care units, emergency room, trauma units, coronary care units, cardiothoracic intensive care units, and burns units.
Quality Assurance Nurses
Nurses who work in quality departments are dedicated to ensuring the quality of care provided to all patients across various healthcare center departments. They are responsible for reviewing clinical competencies and working to prevent adverse events. Additionally, they play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases within the hospital setting by promoting infection prevention plans for staff, patients, and the community.One of the specialized roles within quality nursing units is the infection control nurse.
