Registered nurses’ perceptions of their professional role in medication in elderly care

• The role of the municipal registered nurse (RN) is rarely discussed with regard to multimedication. The aim of this study was to describe RNs’ perceptions of their professional role especially regarding medication management in elderly care. The study is descriptive with a qualitative approach. Interviews with 16 RNs at nursing homes for the elderly were analysed. The RNs described an undefined profession lacking leadership. The findings can be categorized into seven roles showing different aspects of their work: controller, executer, messenger, supervisor, initiator, visionary and solitary worker. Health assessment and medication management should be promoted in elderly care. There must be sufficient and adequate reporting based on the RNs’ nursing and medical skills to monitor and evaluate the drug treatment in teamwork with the physician. This requires leadership with understanding of the integration process in care of the elderly, of the medical processes and nursing skills involved.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

collaboration

elderly

medication management and quality

multi-medication

nursing process

Vårdvetenskap

Nursing Science

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)