It’s inspiring to see a new generation of nurses entering the profession. They’re degree-educated, ambitious, and eager to climb the ladder—taking on roles such as prescribing, clinical decision-making, and leadership. This new wave represents the evolution of nursing from a ward-based role to a multidisciplinary one—expanding our influence and value as the cornerstone of patient care.
As nurses, we are patient advocates by definition. We go beyond brief clinical interactions to see and care for the whole person. We assess patients, monitor vital signs, administer medications, support emotional and psychological well-being, and coordinate complex care plans. We educate patients and families, manage long-term conditions, perform procedures, and respond rapidly to deterioration. We manage discharge planning, promote health prevention, and support recovery. We’re in constant collaboration with the wider multidisciplinary team—liaising with physicians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers, and mental health professionals to ensure patients receive safe, timely, and holistic care. Nurses are the constant thread in a patient’s healthcare journey.
Over time, our responsibilities have grown significantly. In many cases, hospital nurses have become so well-equipped they can operate with a high level of autonomy. But with increased responsibility comes the need for greater support—especially in the form of accessible, evidence-based information.
When we’re not spending time searching for answers, we’re more equipped to handle unexpected and complex clinical scenarios. And when we’re empowered at this level, we become more than frontline caregivers—we become catalysts for system-wide change.
Empowering nurses with evidence-based resources
Healthcare leaders who want to support and harness the power of today’s nursing workforce must equip us with the tools to succeed. That starts with access to trustworthy, evidence-based clinical decision resources. Nurses thrive when they’re empowered to ask informed questions, educate patients, and make sound, confident decisions.
To do this effectively—and to support both nurse well-being and patient outcomes—leaders can shift their mindset in the following ways:
- Acknowledge that nursing has evolved in every country, even compared to a decade ago.
- Recognize the strategic role of nurses and support expanded clinical decision-making.
- Ensure nurses are supported in their work by the entire leadership team.
- Reduce administrative burden and burnout by streamlining workflows and providing quick access to critical information.
- Offer emotional and professional support—especially in high-burnout environments.
- Invest in and champion clinical decision support tools that help support efficiency, accuracy, and patient safety.
When nurses are treated as key implementers of evidence-based medicine, we’re placed on equal footing with physicians and pharmacists. This allows our knowledge, patient relationships, understanding of social determinants, and tech skills to flourish and create better outcomes for all.
That’s why nurses are essential to a patient-centered, integrated model of care. We are the link between disciplines and the facilitators of communication and coordination.
