What Doctors Need from Nurses: 5 Key Ways Nurses Enhance Patient Care

Doctors and nurses form the backbone of hospital care, but what exactly do doctors need from nurses to work seamlessly? In this post, we'll explore five critical areas where nurses play a vital role in enhancing patient care, from communication to advocacy.

1. Quick Communication

In healthcare, time is often the difference between life and death. For doctors, timely updates from nurses are invaluable. If there’s a sudden change in a patient’s condition—like a spike in heart rate, confusion, or trouble breathing—early notification allows doctors to act fast, adjusting treatments or bringing in specialists if necessary.

Tips for Effective Communication:

Use tools like NursePro to quickly gather all the information you need to report to physicians.

Keep your updates brief but detailed. Mention key vitals, symptoms, and any noticeable changes in the patient’s behavior or condition. 

2. Clear, Concise Updates

Doctors often manage several patients at once, making clear communication a top priority. Long-winded explanations can overwhelm or slow down decision-making. Instead, nurses should focus on providing precise, targeted updates.

For example: Instead of saying, “The patient doesn’t feel well and says he’s in pain,” try something more specific:

“Mr. Smith is reporting chest pain, 8/10, radiating to his left arm. His blood pressure is 160/95, and his heart rate is 110 BPM.”

Tools to Streamline Updates:

Utilize checklists or templates to ensure you cover the essentials.

The NursePro app can help you organize and prioritize information, ensuring no detail gets overlooked during reports.

Quick Tip: Use a structured framework like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) to ensure your updates are organized and actionable.

3. Strong Observation Skills

Nurses are at the bedside far more often than doctors, giving them a unique advantage in noticing subtle changes in a patient’s condition. Whether it’s a shift in mood, new pain symptoms, or unusual behavior, your observations are often the first red flag in catching potential problems.

For instance, you might notice a normally cheerful patient becoming withdrawn or lethargic. These small changes can signal something serious, like an infection or medication side effect.

Trust Your Instincts, If something doesn’t feel right, speak up! Doctors rely on your gut instincts as much as your clinical observations. 

4. Confidence to Ask Questions

Healthcare is complex, and mistakes or misunderstandings can happen—even with the most experienced teams. Nurses play a vital role in preventing errors by confidently asking questions or seeking clarification when needed.

Why It Matters:

Doctors, like everyone else, are human. They may unintentionally give unclear instructions, confuse patients, or overlook important details. By double-checking orders or expressing concerns, nurses ensure that patient care remains safe and effective.

Pro Tip:

If something doesn’t add up, approach the doctor respectfully but assertively. For example:

Instead of saying, “Are you sure about this?” try: “Just to clarify, you’d like Mr. Jones to receive 20 mg of oxycodone, correct? I noticed he got confused last time with a similar dose”.  

5. Patient Advocacy

Nurses often build strong, personal connections with patients, putting them in a unique position to advocate for their needs. Whether it’s physical discomfort, emotional distress, or concerns about treatment plans, nurses are the voice for patients who may feel unheard.

Why Advocacy Is Critical:

Doctors may not always have the time to dive into a patient’s emotional state or personal concerns. By relaying these details, nurses ensure that the care plan addresses not just the medical condition but the patient’s overall well-being.

For example, if a patient is anxious about a procedure, mentioning this to the doctor could lead to additional counseling, medication for anxiety, or other interventions that improve the patient experience.

In Closing: A Shared Commitment to Care

Doctors and nurses aren’t just colleagues; we’re partners in the mission to heal. By mastering skills like effective communication, observation, and advocacy, nurses provide the insights and support doctors need to do their jobs well.

And at the end of the day, this collaboration isn’t just about teamwork—it’s about delivering the best possible care to patients who need it most.