Patient Education

Patient education is a HUGE role for a nurse and is also, in my opinion, one of the most important roles. With the right patient education you as a nurse are giving the patient knowledge to care for themselves and to get better. Without the knowledge and resources to manage a chronic illness or care for a new life style (such as a new colostomy bag or new medication that needs to be taken a certain way everyday like insulin) the patient is not going to be able to be successful with their treatment. The patient is the primary care for themselves once they go home, most likely, so it is so important to educate them correctly. The best methods to educate your patient I believe is to talk to them about it, give them pamphlets, demonstrate, and then have the patient explain what you just taught and demonstrate as well.