Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people.

Nurses promote healthy lifestyles, advocate for patients, provide health education, and directly care for many patients. The exact functions of nurses have changed somewhat over the years; however, their importance in healthcare remains evident.

Nurses are responsible for recognizing patients' symptoms, taking measures within their scope of practice to administer medications, providing other measures for symptom alleviation, and collaborating with other professionals to optimize patients' comfort and families' understanding and adaptation.

Though the profession can be physically demanding, nursing is intrinsically rewarding because it offers you the opportunity to make decisions that will help people live longer, healthier lives. Your work every day as a nurse will have a tangible impact on the lives of those in your community.

Make a set of flash cards that lists and defines the six roles that nurses must play in patient care (caregiver, decision maker, communicator, manager of care, patient advocate, and teacher).

The Empathy and Altruism of Nursing I think nursing is the best way for me to make a difference in other people's lives because it combines my natural empathy and desire to help people. Nursing gives me a chance to positively touch people's lives, which has always attracted me to the thought of doing so.

It's a career that provides meaningful work, career growth opportunities, diverse specialty options, high earning potential, job stability, schedule flexibility, and more. Not only do nurses feel personally fulfilled through their work; they also reap the professional benefits throughout their career.

As a nurse, you can make a real difference in someone's life. You can offer hope to people, sometimes during the worst time of their life. Nurses often counsel patients and families after a devastating diagnosis, celebrate with them when they receive good news, and become trusted confidantes.

The Empathy and Altruism of Nursing I think nursing is the best way for me to make a difference in other people's lives because it combines my natural empathy and desire to help people. Nursing gives me a chance to positively touch people's lives, which has always attracted me to the thought of doing so.

If your first answer is because you live to help others, that's a good sign. Nurses must possess a fundamental desire to care for their fellow humans and an ability to empathize with patients and families who may be scared, stressed, or in pain.

Meaningful Work Though the profession can be physically demanding, nursing is intrinsically rewarding because it offers you the opportunity to make decisions that will help people live longer, healthier lives. Your work every day as a nurse will have a tangible impact on the lives of those in your community.

If you want to make a difference in your community, and you have the patience required to work with people, then this might be the tell-tale sign that you are meant to become a nurse. If you want a job that is exciting and brings a new challenge every day, then you will find happiness in nursing.