Nurses learn how to do needs assessments for their clients and set realistic goals and objectives. Cultures, ages, heredity, feeling and values all affect learning, and there are a variety of teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles. While nurses may already know how to administer shots, they still need additional training to teach a diabetic to do it for himself, Sellers said. In addition to teaching a client about exercise, nutrition, stress, blood testing and self-injections, a nurse educator will help the client learn to live with the disease so that it doesn't alter the person's quality of life. Bradley said the Master of Nursing in health systems management teaches the business side of nursing.
Nurses learn to manage clinics, physician's offices, hospitals and nursing staffs.
Because of the specialized nature of health care, the nursing department runs all its own courses rather than sending students to the school of business. Nurses who earn their degrees in family nurse practitioning are licensed to start their own practices, performing many of the same services as doctors. Family nurse practitioners are the nurses who are most likely to be helping people. Harnes, a member of the student health advisory committee, said the committee tries to find ways to promote health among students at Drake. The committee hopes to hold teaching sessions to inform students about health issues, Harnes said.