Frequently Asked Questions:
What does a Practice Nurse do?

A Practice Nurse's role is wide and varied.  The care provided will depend on the needs of the patient population and the qualifications/skills/competencies of the individual Practice Nurse.  The list below is not all-inclusive but is not exhaustive either.

IMMUNISATIONS

• Infant vaccinations, (DPT, HIB, Polio, Meningitis C, MMR).
• Childhood vaccinations, (MMR, Meningitis C, pre-school booster vaccines for children attending private schools).
• Travel vaccinations, (Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Yellow Fever).
• Hepatitis B, Tetanus boosters, Rubella boosters.
• Flu and Pneumococcal vaccines.

WOMEN'S HEALTH / ANTENATAL & POSTNATAL CARE

• Cervical Screening.
• Advice on various methods of contraception and H.R.T.
• Pre-conceptual advice.
• Pregnancy testing, antenatal care, postnatal care, breastfeeding advice.
• Antenatal classes.

CARDIOLOGY

• Cholesterol testing & dietary advice
• ECGs.
• 24 hour blood pressure monitoring.
• Monitoring patients on anti-coagulant therapy.
• Smoking cessation.
• Stress management.
• Heartwatch Programme

SKIN & WOUND CARE / MINOR SURGERY

• Treatment of venous leg ulcers and other skin injuries.
• Suturing of skin lacerations.
• Post-operative suture removal.
• Treatment of warts and verruccae / cryotherapy.
• Nursing management of skin conditions - excema, psoriasis.

DIABETES

• Nursing management of Diabetes

RESPIRATORY CARE

• Nursing management of Asthma and COPD.
• Lung function testing.

HEALTH PROMOTION

• Smoking Cessation
• Weight management

GENERAL NURSING DUTIES

• Health Promotion and Education.
• Counselling.
• Telephone triage and advice.
• General phlebotomy.
• Ear syringing.
• Administering prescribed long-term medications/injections, (e.g. Cytamen, Depoprovera, Depixol, Myocrisin)

INDIRECT NURSING DUTIES

• Liaise with other health professionals in the community and hospitals.
• Co-write and regularly review practice protocols.
• Audit of patient care and practice services.
• Maintenance and sterilisation of surgical instruments.
• Maintenance of emergency equipment.
• Education of practice staff (e.g. CPR, First Aid).

NURSE PRESCRIBING

Since October 2009, 9 Practice Nurses have commenced Nurse Prescribing programmes.

« Return to Frequently Asked Questions