Can a nurse act sometimes as a bit of a social worker?
Asked by Constantly Curious
not like child services, or anything like that, but one thing they can do is take a couple of minutes while treating the patient to just listen, anwer any questions, and talk to the family? also, which would you rather be, not based on finances? RN or Social worker career?

Best Answer:
What you appear to be describing is good nursing (in reality it is good relationship in any context - teaching, business, etc.) Now - increasingly nursing is taking on some of the roles that social workers have done in hospitals - aftercare planning, discharge planning, casework, etc. - It is a point of tension between the two professions. It also looks different in different states, and even different areas of states. Comparing Nursing to Social Work depends a lot on the level of education. You have to remember that an RN is a 2 year degree. Comparing a BSN to a BSW is more comparable and at this level in a hospital setting I think the BSN has an edge. At the MA level - I would give social work a slight edge only because the training is much broader and the options are a bit broader. DA

That happens to be part of a nurses job . to educate and listen and make things as easy on the patient and the family as they can. They however can not judge a persons religion,but to treat the patients pychological problems or familys problems as well. Anything that will facilitate the patients recovery. Rather be a social worker.
Answered by dru

What you described is exactly what RNs do. The RN job encompasses many different areas and is always changing. Giving emotional support as well as counselling is just another part of the job. I'd rather have the RN career - just think there's much more that can be done with this field.
Answered by Anne