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

Nurses comprise the largest component of most healthcare environments.The foundation of the professional practice of nursing exists with the aim to provide quality care for all individuals. Nurses are often the first and sometimes only health professional a patient will see and the quality of their initial assessment and subsequent care is vital to strong health outcomes. Nurses play a critical role in health care and are often the unsung heroes in health care facilities and emergency response.