what is nursing profession

Nursing is a healthcare profession that focuses on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses work tirelessly to identify and protect the needs of the individual, ensuring the most accurate diagnoses to the ongoing education of the public about critical health issues. Nursing can be described as both an art and a science; a heart and a mind. At its heart, lies a fundamental respect for human dignity and an intuition for a patient’s needs. This is supported by the mind, in the form of rigorous core learning. The nursing profession is highly specialized and constantly evolving to address the needs of society. Nurses are responsible for the care of all individuals from every ethnicity and religious background, including both healthy and ill individuals. Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups, and communities, sick or well, and in all settings. Key roles of nursing include promoting health, preventing illness, and caring for ill, disabled, and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles. It is important for nurses to continue learning and improving their standard of practice throughout their career through continued professional development.