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Daisy Salazar
Professor Hanvey
English 1A
28February 2016
Nursing as a discourse community
We are surrounded by communities whether it's the community we live in,
our school, or job. However, have you ever considered being part of a
discourse community? What does it take to be part of a discourse
community? But, most importantly what is a discourse community? A
discourse community is one in which a group of individuals come together
with one goal and or purpose. But, not just any group can be a discourse
community there are six main qualifications that make a discourse
community as stated by Swales.
First of all, each person has a mutual goal. Second of all there must be an
engaging way of communication. Next the community must use different
ways to give and gain feedback. Then they must have different ways to
communicate and contact each other. Also, the community must have a
jargon if its own. Finally, there must be multiple members.
Although, we may not notice we all in some way belong or are going into
some type of community. However, nursing is the discourse community I
have choose to be a part of. Nurses come together with one goal which is to

assist patients. Nursing is a very demanding career it's not only about
looking out for a patient's health. Nurses share many values such as helping
the patient and patient families. This field is dedicated to

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help others. Nurses give the special care patients need to heal. They
communicate in many ways such as, paper work charts, meetings and over
the phone. Like any other career nurses have their own type of jargon. They
have their own medical terminology they use when referring to the patients
symptoms and the treatment they will need. Nursing is a community that has
been around for plenty of years always healing those who are ill. There are
thousands of nurses worldwide all trying to help heal patients.
Growing up I always enjoyed helping others and always hoped that one day
Id be able to help others and make a difference in someones life. Since I
knew I had a passion for helping others in high school I decided I wanted to
volunteer at the local hospital in my community. I knew I could gain a lot
from this volunteering experience but I also knew it would help me explore
different careers in the medical field. In addition to the medical field I also
had some type of desire to explore careers that had to do with criminal
justice so I also decide to join the explorer program with the Pasadena Police
department. I knew that being in some type of law enforcement career would
also mean helping people and changing lifes. I wanted to join the U.S Drug

Enforcement because this career would give me a chance to remove

criminals off the streets and at the same time I would be saving people's
lifes. Drugs destroy families and kill many especially young adults so I
wanted to be able to help all these people. However still unsure of what I
really wanted to do I decided I would volunteer for both organizations and
with time Id be able to find out what I really wanted to do.
The summer of my junior year my life turned completely and I was
impacted by an event that made me make up my mind and choose the
medical field. While visiting my

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sister in Florida I got a call. I was told my mother had a stroke and was on
her way to the hospital. Feeling scared and worried I realized her well being
was now in hands
the doctors and nurses. This moment impacted me and got me thinking on
what I wanted to do. I knew I still wanted to help others but, I wanted to help
those who were sick like my mother.
Even though this was something totally different from my other choice I felt
confident with my choice because what better way to help people then
saving lives. During the hospital visits with my mom I came to realize how
much the nurses impacted the patient's recuperation. Also, while
volunteering I had the opportunity to shadow the nurses and see the extra

mile they went for their patients. They made sure that their patient was
always doing well emotionally and physically.
Nurses assist sick and healthy people with this they contribute to their
health and or their recovery process. Nurses serve anyone who is in need of
medical attention starting off with kids and ending with the elder. In a
hospital environment nurses have to make sure the patient is stable, make
sure the take their medication, answer any questions the patient may have
about their health and recuperation process, and make sure all the paper
work is filled out right. To complete all the task nurses, need the assistance
from the doctors and the CNA. In some cases, when the patient needs to go
to the restroom either the CNA or the RN come and help. The moment a
patient comes in through the doors of an ER room the front desk is the one
who takes down all the information. After the nurses takes the patient into
the room to check their

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vitals. Thevitals include blood pressure heart rate and temperature.
Depending on the patients reason for the visit a series of questions is
followed after the exams to determine what is wrong with the patient and the
treatment that will be needed. The nursing body has been around for many
years. But in the earlier centuries the job of a nurse was done by volunteers
sometimes with little or no training.

Although they are very educated and prepared they always have someone
looking over them making sure everything is done correctly. In something so
crucial like someones health there cannot be any mistake specially during a
life or death situation. Therefore, the doctors or head nurse have to make
sure no mistakes are done there is no time for mistakes in a hospital.
Like in any other professions nurses have someone that helps and someone
who is in charge and makes sure everything is running correctly. There are
many types starting off nurses/caregivers starting off with the Certified Nurse
Assistant License vocational nurse, Registered Nurse and last theres A BSN
bachelors of science in nursing to name a few. CNA can be done in an eightweek course, LVN is about year and a half and finally to receive bachelors it
takes about four years.
Nursing has many parts to the job and reading and writing has a very
important role.to begin with they must write patient notes, fill out charts.
Some charts are filled out manually and some are filled out on the computer.
Many hospitals use the patients chart either on paper or computer as a form
to communicate within healthcare coworkers. The chart contains patient
information such as health history (Appendix 2), medication allergies, and
current medications the patient has taken. They also included quick notes

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of thepatients progress and needs. The charts are also used so there will not
be any mistakes done with the patients. However as of today most of the

information is charted on the computer so that there are no major errors. In

some hospitals the patients
identification bracelet contains way more information than just their name.
Its like the medical chart because if they scan the bar code everything will
come up such as care instructions and medications that are being take by
the patient.
When its time to make a decision they are usually made by the nurse in
charge, chief nurse. Doctor, or the chief. When it comes down to the jargon
nurses have lots of jargon also known as medical terminology. These include
ICU, N/S,OT,Rx,FH to name a few. (Reference Appendix for further
explanation 1)
Like in any community issues do cross the road and sometime they cannot
be resolved within the nurses themselves. When this happens they are taken
up to someone in a higher position such as the head nurse or the chief nurse
of the department sometimes they are even take to the president or vice
president. When going into a field like this it can be very hard to find a job
because of the high levels of competition and the high demand for
experience. Also, it can be very difficult be accepted into the community and
adapt to a new work environment. Although I know I still have a long way till
I reach my goals I know this is something I desire to do. I love to help people
and have a passion to do it. I have many skills to develop for this career but
through my educational path I will gain these skills step by step.

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I have started my journey to enter this career currently I am volunteering
at Huntington Hospital in the Fast Track Emergency Department. After two
years of volunteering in the
maternity are I have decided to change departments and try out the ER. I
always appreciate any give opportunity that will sooner or later benefit me in
some way. I know the ER will give me an even better opportunity to see this
career in depth and also open many doors for me. A day in the ER can sure
be crazy everyone is always running around. Even though I dont get to see
any big trauma I still enjoy learning more and more everyday about this
career. But what I enjoy the most is getting to experience making people feel
better. Being able to make conversation with worried families and telling
them everything is going to be okay. I enjoy being able to assist doctors and
nurses by giving them the help they need. What I receive in return is what
reminds me why I want to do this. Seeing families with a smile as I take then
out the hospital is the most rewarding thing for. As of right now I only help
set up rooms, wheel patients out, keep families informed, and help out the
busy nurses and physicians. Just doing this makes me happy because I know
my help is appreciated and makes a difference. Such a busy part of the
hospital like the ER needs as much help as possible because it sure can get
crazy!

I have just started my second semester in college therefore I still have a

long way until I finish my educational path towards nursing. Currently I am
taking my general education to receive my Associates with my associates I
will able to apply to a University that has a good nursing program. Therefore,
I can continue my education and receive my bachelors of science in nursing.
Which would give me better opportunities in the work field.

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In my case I would be getting my bachelors of science in nursing. After
graduating they must take the exam and pass in order to get a license. A
state and nation wide exam is required of anyone entering the medical field.
Clinical hours are done while still being in
school depending on the school and some are required to do internships. It
takes more then just the basic education and experience to be in a field like
this. All nurses are devoted to saving life's but those who making quick
decisions that determine life and decisions are the ones who pursue a higher
education such as a masters or PH.D. Though a higher education doesn't
give you the most important principles that it takes to be in this field for
example courage, security within themselves and sympathy for others.
Courage is needed to be the support for other families during a moment of
crises. Security in their knowledge to be secure because they can't have a
minute of doubt because it can lead major mistake. Sympathy is one of the
most valuable characters because it gives the patient confidence which leads

to the patient cooperating and giving the patient comfort. Patients need to
have confidence in their caregivers because without the patients confidence
the job isnt done right. Part of the job is giving the patients confidence and
security that everything will be okay. They need this stability sadly in some
cases not much can be done however, a nurses must never loose hope and
always encourage the patient to fight for what is theirs their life. This career
can be personally rewarding many times nurses create relationships with
their patients and sometimes end up keeping in touch with them.

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This project has been a learning experience that has made me open my eyes
more towards the career. Ive seen and learned more about the role of a
nurse is more way work then it seems. Theres more then just giving a
patients their pills sometimes we dont acknowledge all the work they do.
They have to make sure they keep the charts updated a has more then one
patient to check up and constantly go make sure they are doing okay. But as
I mentioned
before they have to make sure the patients are emotionally stable and they
feel safe in the environment the patient is in. It takes more then just the
basic education and experience to be in a field like this. All nurses are
devoted to saving life's but those who making quick decisions that determine

life and decisions are the ones who peruse a higher education such as a
masters or PH.D. Though a higher education doesn't give you the most
important principles that it takes
to be in this field for example courage, security within themselves and
sympathy for others. Courage is needed to be the support for other families
during a moment of crises. Security in their knowledge to be secure because
they can't have a minute of doubt because it can lead major mistake.
Sympathy is one of the most valuable characters because it gives the patient
confidence which leads to the patient cooperating and giving the patient
comfort. This career can be personally rewarding many times nurses create
relationships with their patients and sometimes end up keeping in touch with
them.
Conducting this research has made see the bigger picture of nursing and
gave me an idea of a day is like for nurse. A day at work is started off doing
rounds checking up on patients, getting

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an update by the nurse from the night before and on they go. Check up on
patients get ready to bring in new patients, fill out discharge papers (see
appendix3) and get ready to discharge patients. They have to make sure to
give the at home care papers and explain the care and the medication they

will need. I feel that I have the courage, sympathy, and security to enter this
career. Although I feel confident and I believe I have these qualifications I
know I still have to improve to be able to say that I am fully prepared. We can
never have too much experience there is always more and more to learn. In
a future I hope to join some type of foundation and help provide basic health
assistance in other countries to help those who cant afford it.
Specially helping kids to me kids are very important because they are the
future in our world and I want to impact them the most. I know that just with
a BA I wont be able to do much at a higher level. So eventually I will reach
out for my masters and PH.D. Impacting and childrens life.

Bibilography

A-Z of Medical and Therapy Jargon." Senses Australia. Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

"Electronic Charting for Nursing Staff and Providers - EHR Software, HIS
Software." Electronic
Charting for Nursing Staff and Providers - EHR Software, HIS Software.
Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

Nursing Theory and Purpose." UW Health. Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

"Top 10 Qualities of a Great Nurse." NursingLink. Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

Swales, John. ''The Concept of Discourse Community." Genre Analysis:

English in Academic
and Research Settings. Boston: Cambridge UP, 1990.21-32. Print

"Nursing." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia (2015): 1p. 1. Funk &
Wagnalls New
World Encyclopedia. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

West, Amber. "Discourse Communities and Genre." Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

Appendix
1)Abbreviations found in medical notes
ED

emergency department

FH

family history

GP

general practitioner

HDA/ HDU

high dependency area/ unit

ICU

intensive care unit

N/S

nursing staff

OT

occupational therapy or operating theatre

PMH past medical history

PSH

past surgical history

pt

patient

Rx

treatment

SICU surgical intensive care unit

SP or ST

speech pathology or speech therapy

ER Emergency Room

2)

3)