

Nurses develop a plan of care, working collaboratively with physicians, therapists, the patient, the patient's family, and other team members that focuses on treating illness to improve quality of life. Since the postwar period, nurse education has undergone a process of diversification towards advanced and specialized credentials, and many of the traditional regulations and provider roles are changing. They are however permitted by most jurisdictions to practice independently in a variety of settings. Nurse practitioners are nurses with a graduate degree in advanced practice nursing. Many nurses provide care within the ordering scope of physicians, and this traditional role has shaped the public image of nurses as care providers. Nurses comprise the largest component of most healthcare environments but there is evidence of international shortages of qualified nurses.

Nurses practice in many specialties with differing levels of prescription authority. Nurses may be differentiated from other health care providers by their approach to patient care, training, and scope of practice. They also take on vital roles of education, assessing situations, as support. Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life.
