Nursing is a profession that is associated with attaining, maintaining and recovering optimal health and functioning. Nursing is regarded as a science and an art that focuses on promoting the general well being of persons and families throughout their life experiences from birth till the end of their life. Women who come in this profession are called nurses.
In almost all countries, nursing practice is defined and governed by law and entrance to this nursing profession is regulated at national or state level. The aim of the nursing as a field is to develop the profession guided by continuing education based on nursing research, and to regulate standards of competency and medical and health ethics.
Nursing broadly encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities. You can assist and nurse a sick or a normal person under all circumstances. Nursing includes the promotion of general health, prevention of any type of sickness, and the care of the ill, disabled and dying people.
The nursing organizations of various countries offer the following definitions:
- International Council of Nurses: It defines nursing as the use of clinical judgment in the provision of care to enable people to improve, maintain and recover a healthy life. It tries to ensure the best possible quality of life, whatever their disease or disability is.
- Royal College of Nursing in UK: According to this College, nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and prevention of illness and injury through the diagnosis and treatment of human beings and providing proper healthcare to individuals and families alike.
The American Association of Nursing defines nursing as the most diverse of all healthcare professions. The association includes the following major divisions like Psychiatric and mental nursing, Pediatric nursing and Geriatric nursing.