Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS): Expanding the Role of Nurses in Bedside Diagnostics

Abstract

The advancement of healthcare has expanded the role of nurses, requiring integration of innovative diagnostic tools to support timely and accurate clinical decision-making. Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a portable imaging modality that enables real-time bedside assessments, significantly enhancing the quality and efficiency of patient care. In critical care settings, particularly for patients with Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA), POCUS empowers nurses to visualize vascular structures, improving first-attempt success rates for peripheral intravenous catheterization (PIVC) and reducing patient discomfort. Beyond vascular access, POCUS supports rapid evaluation of cardiac, pulmonary, abdominal, renal, and musculoskeletal systems, streamlining diagnostics and interventions. This paper highlights the expanding role of POCUS in nursing practice, the importance of education and competency development, and the clinical implications and challenges associated with its implementation. By adopting POCUS, Critical Care Nurses (CCNs) can deliver safer, more efficient, and patient-centered care in increasingly complex clinical environments.