Nurses Ngā tapuhi
Nursing roles and responsibilities are always changing to make sure that people get high-quality care and better health. The kind of job a nurse does depends on their level of training, qualifications and expertise.
Types of nurse
Most nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand are registered nurses (RNs). They work independently as well as with other health professionals.
Registered nurses have many roles, including:
- assessing health needs
- providing care
- advising and supporting patients
- supervising other healthcare workers, such as student nurses and enrolled nurses (ENs).
Registered nurses work in many healthcare settings, such as:
- hospitals
- primary health organisations (PHOs)
- general practices
- rest homes
- prisons
- schools.
Registered nurses often specialise in one area.
Enrolled nurses (ENs) are supervised by a registered nurse or nurse practitioner. They:
- provide care
- give health education to the public
- help with nursing assessments, planning, implementing and evaluating care.
Enrolled nurses work in:
- the community
- people's homes
- hospitals.
Practice nurses are registered nurses who work in general practices or health centres. They:
- plan nursing care
- deliver treatment
- provide you and your whānau with health education.
Cost of seeing a practice nurse
There is often a charge to see a practice nurse. Financial help may be available to help you cover these costs. If this information is not at your healthcare provider, ask the receptionist for a list of practice nurse charges and any available financial assistance.
Nurse practitioners are highly skilled registered nurses with advanced education and clinical training. Nurse practitioners work in hospitals and the community. You may see a nurse practitioner instead of a healthcare provider. A nurse practitioner can refer you to a specialist and consult with a healthcare provider if necessary.
Nurse practitioners can:
- prescribe some medications
- order some investigations, such as x-rays and blood tests.
District nurses are registered nurses who work in the community. They:
- visit people who cannot leave their house
- provide follow-up care for people recently discharged from hospital
- give practical and educational advice
- provide wound management, catheter and continence care, as well as medication support
- help take care of people so they do not have to go to hospital, or stay in hospital too long
- specialise in different areas, such as palliative care.
Plunket nurses are registered nurses with extra qualifications who work in your community. They work with whānau with tamariki from birth up to the age of 5 to promote health and prevent illnesses.
Public health nurses are based in the community.
They have a broad range of roles supporting tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau.
They visit schools and homes, providing support, education and connection to the health system. They are also involved in community vaccination programmes.
School nurses provide on-site free healthcare to students in secondary schools. They are experienced in all areas of youth health, including:
- emotional wellbeing
- physical health
- sexual health.
Clinical nurse specialists are expert nurses with special skills and knowledge in one clinical area. They usually have many years of experience and are often the main person you will talk to. They provide:
- clinical leadership and education to other nurses
- practical, educational and emotional support to patients and their whānau.
Clinical nurse specialists can prescribe some medications for conditions in their clinical area.