Slaugytojas

Slaugytojas is the Lithuanian term for a nurse, a healthcare professional who provides direct patient care and supports physicians and other clinicians in promoting health, preventing illness, and aiding recovery. Nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, long‑term care facilities, and patients’ homes. They are part of interprofessional teams that deliver comprehensive care and coordinate with other health professionals to meet individual patient needs.

The core duties of a slaugytojas include assessing patients, monitoring vital signs, administering medications and treatments, performing wound care and basic procedures, assisting with daily activities, and providing health education and emotional support. They also handle documentation, ensure infection control and patient safety, and advocate for patients’ preferences and rights. In many contexts they work under the supervision of a physician or senior nurse, while in others they operate with a higher degree of autonomy in community or primary care settings.

Education and licensing are essential for practice. Becoming a slaugytojas typically requires completing a recognized nursing program, which may lead to a professional diploma or a bachelor’s degree. After graduation, graduates must obtain licensure or registration with the relevant national or regional authorities to practice legally. Ongoing professional development and specialization—such as in pediatric, surgical, intensive care, geriatric, or community health nursing—are common to advance skills and career opportunities.

The profession is central to health systems, contributing to preventive care, acute and chronic disease management, rehabilitation, and palliative care. Nurses foster patient safety, care continuity, and public health by supporting individuals, families, and communities. In Lithuanian contexts, the terms slaugytojas (masculine) and slaugytoja (feminine) reflect gendered forms of the same profession.