What is primary nursing?

Primary nursing is a model of care where a registered nurse is responsible for overseeing and providing the majority of care for a specific patient or group of patients throughout their hospital stay or during a particular treatment phase. This model emphasizes the importance of developing a strong nurse-patient relationship, allowing the nurse to have a comprehensive understanding of the patient's needs, preferences, and medical history. This continuity of care helps in promoting better patient outcomes as the primary nurse can tailor interventions and support based on the evolving situation and needs of the patient.

In this model, while other healthcare team members may assist, the primary nurse remains the key figure, coordinating and integrating all care-related activities. This contrasts with other methods that might involve multiple nurses providing fragmented care, which can diminish the personal connection and continuity that is central to the primary nursing approach.