Nurses

Nurses are healthcare professionals who care for individuals, families, and communities, promoting health and alleviating suffering. They provide direct patient care, monitor conditions, administer medications, assist with procedures, educate patients, and coordinate care as part of interprofessional teams.

Education and licensure: most nurses become registered nurses by completing a bachelor’s or associate degree and passing a licensure exam. Other routes include licensed practical or vocational nurses, who complete shorter programs. Advanced practice nurses—such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse-midwives—hold graduate degrees and have expanded clinical responsibilities.

Work settings and roles: nurses work in hospitals, clinics, home care, schools, and community programs. They specialize in areas such as medical-surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, critical care, psychiatry, geriatrics, and oncology. Core duties include assessment, care planning, medication administration, wound care, patient education, and care coordination.

Regulation and history: modern nursing emerged in the 19th century with pioneers like Florence Nightingale. Today nursing is regulated by licensing bodies and professional codes of ethics. Education standards, continuous learning, and certification in specialties sustain quality and accountability.

Trends: the role of nurses is expanding, with growing emphasis on primary care, preventive services, telehealth, and interdisciplinary teams. Workforce shortages and burnout remain challenges in some regions, while advances in informatics and safety practices aim to improve patient outcomes.