Nurse

A nurse is a healthcare professional who provides care for individuals, families, and communities. Nurses assess health status, develop and implement care plans, monitor conditions, administer medications and treatments, perform procedures, and educate patients and families. They advocate for patients, coordinate with physicians and other health professionals, and promote health and well-being.

Entry routes to nursing include hospital diploma programs, associate degrees in nursing (ADN), or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Registered nurses (RNs) require licensure, typically through passing the NCLEX-RN and meeting state requirements. Licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) complete shorter programs and pass the NCLEX-PN. Many nurses pursue advanced practice roles—nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives—requiring graduate education (master's or doctoral degrees) and national certification; they may diagnose, treat, prescribe medications, and provide primary or specialty care in many jurisdictions.

Nurses work across settings from acute care hospitals to clinics, schools, community health centers, home health, long-term care facilities, and research. The scope of practice is shaped by professional licensure, employer policy, and regional laws. Tasks include medication administration, patient monitoring, wound care, assistance with daily living activities, health promotion, disease prevention, and patient and family education.

Nursing emerged as a distinct profession in the 19th century, catalyzed by figures such as Florence Nightingale, with professional education, licensing, and codes of ethics evolving through the 20th and 21st centuries. Nurses adhere to ethical standards and patient safety protocols; continuing education ensures up-to-date practice.