Role and Function of an Australian Nurse in a Refugee Camp

Running Head: Nursing
Nursing
Institution
Name
Date

Nursing
Introduction
Globalization can be defined as the process of integration and interaction between governments,
companies and people across the world (Lechner, 2009). It has grown owing to the advances in
technology in communication and transportation. It is regarded as a primary economic process of
integration and interaction that is associated with cultural and social aspects (Steger, 2010).
Therefore, this assignment will focus on identifying a specific role within an NGO and include
the geographical region. It will evaluate the function and role of an Australian nurse working in
a developing country setting or in a refugee centre outside of Australia and discuss possible
challenges and benefits the nurses may encounter working in the chosen context.
The Role and Function of a Nurse
Nursing is a science and art at the same time (Tschudin & Davis, 2008). It is not only a
demanding work but also a stimulating and joyful mission that in cooperates professional
performance and willingness to assist people and working in interest of their benefits. The main
tasks of NGOs in the health system include providing services and health advocacy (Ekeh,
2016). The provision of services includes medical, integration activities, psychological and social
services, material and financial support, care and nursing information services and educational
training. On the other hand, heath advocacy is a combination of social and individual actions
designed to draw policy support, political commitment, social acceptance as well as systems
support for a given health goal or program.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has adopted a healthcare
program that targets refugees for medical services across the world. Therefore, an Australian
nurse like any other nurse is tasked with either provision of healthcare services or health
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Nursing
advocacy or both. In this case, the major focus will be on service provision. There is a refugee
camp in the village of Dobova in Slovenia filled with migrants from Afghanistan, Syrian and
Iraq. An approximate of 3000-5000 refugees cross the Slovenia-Croatian border every day.
Assessment of the patient forms the cornerstone of nursing with an aim of ensuring an integrated
and systematic review in healthcare (Leininger., 2005). An Australian nurse is expected to apply
their advanced experience and knowledge and cooperate with Trans disciplinary and
multidisciplinary teams in the medical field in the refugee camp. One of their important role is to
ensure accurate assessment of outcomes (Kingma, 2006). They carry out frequent nursing
diagnoses on the migrants. This is because majority of the refugees suffer from hyperthermia,
acute pain, diarrhea, fatigue, lack of sleep, impaired skin integrity, impaired gait and drained
volume of body fluids. In regards to the diagnosis of acute pain, the most common problem is
neck, headache, lower limb and abdomen pain. In such a case, the nurse is required to administer
the respective painkillers to the patients.
The diagnosis impaired verbal communication basically means language barrier experienced in
the refugee camp. In their nursing assessment, the nurses are charged with the responsibility of
measuring basic vital signs such as pulse, O2 saturation, blood pressure and body temperature
and blood glucose (Cohen, 2013). They treat the wounded patients with both major and minor
injuries suffered as they try crossing the border to the refugee camp. The duty of the nurse is to
ensure hydration of the refugees by administering the necessary medication to the patients.
Sometimes majority of the patients develop infection of the ears and eyes hence the Australian
nurse is expected to administer the respective drugs orally. It can also be administered through
intramuscular injections, subcutaneous (insulin) or provide infusion therapy. The personal
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