Whether it is colon, leukemia, breast or mesothelioma cancer, patients are required to seek a physician's help to improve their chances of their recovery by seeking out the right type of help and treatment. Patients typically will have a better prognosis when the disease is addressed and treated at early stages. Nurses facilitate treatment and coping.
Nurses Help Patients Improve Their Quality of Life
Nurses can help patients cope with and deal with side effects from treatment by easing their pain. When nurses provide care for cancer patients suffering from side effects, this is often referred to as palliative care. Nurses are instrumental in palliative care to help patients manage the physical effects of chemotherapy radiation and other treatments. Nurses can also help patients manage emotional aspects such as anxiety, depression and other emotional effects.
Nurses Find Resources for Patients
Nurses provide patients with resources and information to improve their care. For instance, pain management is important during cancer treatments. After treatments are complete or before the treatments begin, nurses may help cancer patients find resources for massages to temporarily relieve the pain. Massages are often offered for free and can help patients cope with the effects of cancer.
Nurses Inform Families and Friends About Support Systems
Families and friends are an important part of the support system. Many studies have shown that cancer patients heal faster with supportive care or comfort care from friends, family or other people suffering with the same illness. When adequate support is available, stress levels are reduced and cancer patients heal faster. Patients are recommended to establish a strong support system for this reason. Nurses are available to help families and friends learn how to be supportive in a non-judgmental fashion.
Nurses Help Find Services and Financial Resources
Nurses can help doctors find a doctor or treatment for cancer. There are treatment facilities all over the world. Nurses can help to identify the facilities and find the best facility for the patient's care type. Assistance for at-home care is often available. Nurses can give patients guidance on finding the best services and financial resources available.
Nurses Administer Medications
Nurses can help administer medications. In fact, this is the role that most people associate with nurses. Nurses monitor vital signs and check IVs to determine if the patient is responding to the treatments. They also can draw blood to determine white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels. These levels are often affected during treatment. Nurses should always check these levels to ensure the patient is not at critical levels that may severely affect their health.
Nurses Do More than Administer Medications
Nurses are beneficial in numerous capacities. They not only administer medications, but they counsel. They listen and they offer resources. Nurses form long-term relationships with their patients that lead to better care. When patients feel safer and nurtured, their stress levels are lowered, and they can better handle anxiety and uncertainty.