Description of the Profession

During the more than 100 years that Thomas Jefferson University has been educating nurses, professional nursing responsibilities have changed tremendously. Nurses today are highly respected and valued members of the healthcare team who bring their own body of knowledge to the process of health care.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that nursing is the nation's largest healthcare profession, with more that 2.5 million registered nurses nationwide. Nurses work in collaboration with physicians and members of other healthcare disciplines. Nurses' roles range from direct patient care and case management to establishing nursing practice standards, developing quality assurance procedures, directing complex nursing care systems, conducting clinical research, teaching in nursing programs, as well as practicing in many other stimulating settings.

Professional nursing is dedicated to the promotion and maintenance of health, recovery from illness, and care and support of people who are terminally ill. Nurses assist individuals and families when illness impairs their ability to cope with daily life. Treatment provided by nurses emphasizes a variety of approaches, since the focus is on the physical, psychological, social and spiritual well being of the patient. Nurses have many responsibilities, and many times several roles coincide. Some of the challenging and rewarding roles assumed by nurses include:

• Care Provider
• Teacher/Counselor
• Patient Advocate
• Leader/Manager
• Consultant
• Researcher
  

Read about the Career Outlook for Nursing