Who primarily serves as the manager of a client's care within nursing practice?

The registered nurse (RN) primarily serves as the manager of a client's care within nursing practice due to their comprehensive training and education in patient assessment, care planning, implementation, and evaluation. RNs are trained to coordinate the overall care of patients, which includes not only administering medications and treatments, but also assessing patient conditions, communicating effectively with other healthcare team members, and educating patients and their families about care plans and health management.

In their role as care managers, RNs are responsible for developing individualized care plans based on the patient's specific needs, preferences, and medical history. They serve as a critical point of contact for patients and families, ensuring that all aspects of care are integrated and delivered smoothly. This management role is essential for facilitating collaboration among different members of the healthcare team, making RNs central figures in ensuring effective healthcare delivery.

Other roles, such as nurse practitioners and attending physicians, do play vital roles in patient care but tend to have more specialized functions. Nurse practitioners often focus on specific areas of advanced practice and may manage particular aspects of care, whereas attending physicians primarily take responsibility for diagnoses and treatment decisions. Nursing aides complement the care team by assisting with daily activities and tasks but do not have the comprehensive decision-making authority and management responsibilities that RNs