Nursingled

Nursing-led care refers to health services in which nurses provide the primary leadership for assessment, decision-making, care planning, and follow-up. Advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, may have prescribing rights and operate with varying levels of autonomy depending on local regulations and organizational policy.

Scope and settings include primary care, chronic disease management, wound and palliative care, and can extend to urgent care, geriatrics, mental health, and public health programs. These models rely on standardized protocols, collaborative teams, and often use telehealth or community outreach to improve access and continuity of care.

Roles and models commonly seen in nursing-led care include nurse-led clinics, nurse-led discharge planning, and nurse navigators. In these arrangements, nurses act as lead care coordinators who assess patients, implement care plans, monitor progress, and provide education, typically working in partnership with physicians, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals.

Evidence and impact suggest that nursing-led clinics can achieve clinical outcomes comparable to physician-led care for several chronic conditions, with high patient satisfaction and potential cost savings. The magnitude of benefits depends on factors such as scope of practice, training, funding, and how well the model is integrated into the health system.

History and policy development reflect the growth of nursing education and autonomy over recent decades, with international variation in regulation, reimbursement, and workforce planning. As health systems address workforce shortages and access, nursing-led care remains a prominent model for delivering patient-centered, team-based services.