Nursing has evolved, with the change in nursing landscape; nurses are capable to contribute more. In traditional practice, only doctors are allowed to perform certain tasks, such as intravenous cannulation. Comparing to our current nursing practices, nursing has come a long way in term of providing nursing care.
Ophthalmic nurses play a significant role in eye health promotion, disease prevention and low vision rehabilitation services. In ophthalmology, our nurses are trained to perform above their licence. For example, nurses are now able to perform intravitreal injection, handling patient from end to end for fundus angiography, perform lacrimal duct syringing independently, etc.
Nurses want to contribute more, by allowing themselves to practice above their license; there is greater sense of achievement and satisfaction. By providing them with new learning opportunities, new skills and empowering them; it gives them a sense of fulfilment as they continue to practice in their specialised field. Which will improve nurses’ job satisfaction and help with retention.
With nurses performing more in an ophthalmic setting, patients are benefiting from streamlining of processes, reduction of wait time, hence improvement of overall patients’ experience.
Nursing is not only a ‘job,’ but a profession, a career of which we are proud.
