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How do nurses work with physicians and other health care professionals?
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Nursing
A nurse uses a sphygmomanometer to check a patient's blood pressure.
Nurses work both independently and in collaboration with other health care professionals, such as physicians, to provide continuous care for patients. This teamwork is a fundamental aspect of modern health care, particularly in settings like hospitals and primary-care practices, where physicians and nurses often work together to improve patient outcomes.12
The nature of this collaboration varies based on the nurse's role and qualifications:
- Professional Collaboration: Many nurses work alongside physicians to manage patient care, share expertise, and ensure comprehensive treatment. For example, nurse practitioners often maintain collaborative relationships with physicians who review cases and provide ongoing consultation, though the specific requirements for these relationships are often determined by state nursing boards.12
- Supervision and Scope: While many nurses practice autonomously within their defined scope, some health practitioners—including certain nurse practitioners, midwives, and physician assistants—are required by law or regulation to practice under the supervision of or in cooperation with a licensed physician.23
- Interprofessional Teams: Effective interprofessional collaboration is considered an essential element of advanced nursing practice, aimed at improving population health outcomes and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care.2