A nurse is responsible—along with other health care professionals—for the treatment, safety, and recovery of acutely or chronically ill or injured people, health maintenance of the healthy, and treatment of life-threatening emergencies in a wide range of health care settings. Health care is the prevention treatment and management of illness and the preservation of mental health through the services offered by the medical, Nursing This article is about people called professionals For the Movie, see The Professional or Leon. In Medicine, an acute disease is a disease with either or both of a rapid onset a short course (as opposed to a chronic course In Medicine, a chronic disease is a Disease that is long-lasting or recurrent Nurses may also be involved in medical and nursing research and perform a wide range of non-clinical functions necessary to the delivery of health care. Nursing research is the term used to describe the evidence used to support Nursing practice. Nurses also provide care at birth and death. The last offices are the procedures performed usually by a Nurse in the Developed world, to a dead person shortly after Death has been confirmed

Contents 1 Education and regulation 1.1 Other healthcare workers 2 Australia 2.1 Education 2.2 Legal regulation 2.3 Nurse practitioners 3 Canada 3.1 Education 3.2 Types of nurses 3.3 Legal regulation 4 India 5 Ireland 5.1 Developments 5.2 Nurse education 6 New Zealand 6.1 History 6.2 Education 6.3 Legal regulation 6.4 Ongoing issues 7 Philippines 7.1 Education 7.2 Legal regulation 8 South Africa 8.1 History 8.2 Education 8.3 Legal regulation 9 United Kingdom 9.1 Education 9.2 Registered nurses 9.3 NMC register 9.4 Nursing titles 10 United States 10.1 Education 10.2 Legal regulation 11 See also 12 References 13 External links 13.1 Canada 13.2 India 13.3 Ireland 13.4 New Zealand 13.5 Philippines 13.6 South Africa 13.7 United Kingdom 13.8 United States

Education and regulation

Nursing education, regulation, roles, and titles vary in different countries, but in general reflect an increasing level of responsibility and status. The nursing career structure does not vary throughout the world. Typically there are several distinct levels of nursing practitioner distinguished by increasing education, responsibility, and skills. The major distinction is between task-based nursing and professional nursing. Nurses throughout the world are increasingly employed as advanced practice nurses, such as clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, who diagnose health problems and prescribe medications and other therapies. Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs also known as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses ( APRN s are Registered Nurses with advanced education knowledge skills and scope A clinical nurse specialist (CNS is an Advanced practice nurse, with graduate preparation (earned master's or doctorate from a program that prepares CNSs A Nurse Practitioner (NP is a Registered nurse who has completed specific advanced Nursing education (generally a Master's degree) and training in the Medication, also referred to as medicine, can be loosely defined as any substance intended for use in the diagnosis cure mitigation treatment or prevention of disease At the top of the educational ladder is the doctoral-prepared nurse. Nurses may gain a PhD or another doctoral degree, specializing in research, clinical nursing, and so forth. "PhD" redirects here for other uses see PhD (disambiguation. A doctorate is an Academic degree that indicates the highest level of academic achievement These nurses practice nursing, teach nursing, and carry out nursing research. As the science and art of nursing has advanced, so has the demand for doctoral-prepared nurses.

In various parts of the world, the educational background for nurses varies widely. Nurse education consists in the theorical and practical training provided to Nurses with the purpose to prepare them for their duties as Nursing care professionals In some parts of eastern Europe, nurses are high school graduates with twelve to eighteen months of training. High school is the name used in some parts of the world (in particular Scotland, North America and Australia) to describe an institution In contrast, Chile requires any registered nurse to have at least a bachelor's degree. Chile, officially the Republic of Chile ( Spanish:) is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow Coastal strip wedged between the A bachelor's degree is usually an Undergraduate Academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three four or in some cases and

Nurses are the largest group of providers in the health care system--there are over two million registered nurses in the United States of America (U. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the S. ) alone, comprising about 13% of the fifteen million workers in the health care and social assistance category tracked by the U.S. Department of Labor. The United States Department of Labor is a Cabinet department of the United States government responsible for occupational safety wage and hour standards ^[1]

Nursing is one of the most female-dominated occupations but the number of males entering the profession is increasing quickly. For example, in the U. S. , only 5. 4% of the registered nurse population was male in 2000, but that percent represented a 226% increase in two decades. ^[2].

Governments regulate the profession of nursing to protect the public.

Other healthcare workers

Health care settings generally involve a wide range of medical professionals who work in collaboration with nurses.

Examples include:

• Nursing assistants, orderlies, auxiliary nurses, healthcare assistants. In the United States, Certified Nursing Assistants ( CNA s Patient Care Assistants, State Tested Nurse Aid ( STNA)or Nursing Assistants-Registered This article is about orderlies in medical work For the 1964 film that portrays the profession see The Disorderly Orderly. These types of healthcare workers work both in acute and primary settings, under the supervision of registered nurses or licensed practical nurses (in the US). They assist nurses by giving basic care, taking vital signs, administering hygienic care, assisting with feeding, giving basic psychosocial care, housekeeping, and similar duties. See also hospital volunteers. Hospital volunteers work without regular pay in a variety of Health care settings usually under the supervision of a Nurse.
• EMTs and Paramedics work closely with emergency and critical care nurses to stabilize life-threatening trauma and medical emergencies and to provide a seamless transfer of care from incoming ambulances to awaiting medical/surgical teams. The Emergency Medical Technician ( EMT) exists in many countries and is a health care provider trained to provide prehospital emergency medical care A paramedic is a medical professional usually a member of the emergency medical service, who primarily provides Pre-hospital advanced medical and An ambulance is a Vehicle for transporting sick or injured people to from or between places of treatment for an Illness or Injury.
• Technicians: for example, certified medication aides in the US, are trained to administer medications in a long-term care setting. A technician is generally someone in a technological field who has a relatively practical understanding of the general theoretical principles of that field e There are also phlebotomy technicians, who perform venipuncture; surgical technologists (US), and technicians trained to operate most kinds of diagnostic and laboratory equipment, such as X-ray machines, electrocardiographs, and so forth. In medicine venipuncture or venepuncture (also known as phlebotomy, venesection, blood draw, drawing blood or taking blood In medicine venipuncture or venepuncture (also known as phlebotomy, venesection, blood draw, drawing blood or taking blood
• Physicians rely on nurses' skills, observations, and experience to ensure a continuity of patient care. A physician, medical practitioner or medical doctor who practices Medicine, and is concerned with maintaining or restoring human Health
• Pharmacists and pharmacy assistants are responsible for the safe dispensing of medicine and offering of expert advice on drug therapies. Pharmacists are Health professionals who practice the art and science of Pharmacy. Pharmaconomist (farmakonom means expert in pharmaceuticals (lægemiddelkyndig
• Allied health professionals such as respiratory therapists, medical technologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners (UK) and physical therapists work closely with nursing staff and work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary. Allied health professions are clinical Healthcare professions distinct from Medicine and Nursing. Respiratory Therapy is categorized as an Allied health profession in the United States and Canada A medical technologist (MT is a Healthcare professional who performs Diagnostic analytic tests on Body fluids such as Blood, Urine Speech-language pathology is the study of disorders that affect a person's Speech, Language, cognition voice swallowing ( Dysphagia) and the rehabilitative An occupational therapist (OT is a health professional who is trained in the practice of Occupational therapy. Operating Department Practitioners ( ODP s are Healthcare professionals working in the United Kingdom.

Australia

Main article: Nursing in Australia

Education

Registration as a registered nurse now requires an associate degree at least, considered the foundation for any future specialization within nursing any other type of medical ways. Historical Prior to the transfer of nursing education to the university sector nurses were trained in a course of instruction in hospital nursing schools that awarded Postgraduate diplomas provide further vocational training for specialist areas. A Graduate Diploma is generally a postgraduate qualification Australia Education in Australia Postgraduate diplomas offered in Australia are typical of those offered Masters level courses are available in both research and course work streams; a specialist course has been developed to provide preparation for registration as a nurse practitioner. Professional doctorates are also available.

Australia has a long tradition of post-basic courses, usually of a six month (minor) or twelve month (major) duration, which included midwifery, maternal and child welfare, psychiatric, peri-operative ("theatre nursing"), intensive care, and coronary care in later years, as well as a myriad of other courses. Midwifery is a Health care profession where providers give Prenatal care to expecting Mothers attend the birth of the Infant Intensive Care Medicine or critical care medicine is a branch of medicine concerned with the provision of Life support or organ support systems in patients A coronary care unit (CCU is a hospital ward specialized in the care of Patients with heart attacks Unstable angina and (in practice various other cardiac They are now provided by the university sector as postgraduate diplomas or post graduate certificates, depending on the length and complexity. See also Postgraduate Training in Education A postgraduate diploma is a Qualification awarded typically after a Bachelor's degree.

There are options available for hospital trained nurses to upgrade their qualifications to a Bachelor of Nursing (post registration). However, most opt instead to undertake specialist courses such as a postgraduate diploma or certification in the area of their clinical interest.

Enrolled nurses are trained in the "technical and further education" (TAFE) sector of approximately twelve months duration. Technical and Further Education or TAFE (pronounced) institutions provide a wide range of predominantly vocational tertiary education courses in Australia In some states, this length has been increased to 18 months to result in diploma level qualification rather than certificate 4. All Enrolled nurse training courses now include a module that permits enrolled nurses to dispense oral, topical, enteral medications, and intramuscular and subcutaneous injections. In some areas of Australia NSW in particular Enrolled nurses are also allowed to administer intravenous medications via a peripheral cannula up to a schedule 4d.

Legal regulation

The practice of nursing is governed by state and territorial nursing regulation authorities. The Commonwealth of Australia is made up of 8 states and territories controlled under a federal system of government The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) was established in 1992 and works with these authorities to facilitate a national approach to nursing and midwifery regulation.

Types of nurses

In all states other than Victoria, nurses fall into the following major categories:

• Nurse practitioner (NP)
• Registered nurse (RN)
• Enrolled nurse (EN)

Professional titles

The professional courtesy title "sister" has fallen into disuse and disapproval, even though it was formerly used by both male and female registered general nurses. A Nurse Practitioner (NP is a Registered nurse who has completed specific advanced Nursing education (generally a Master's degree) and training in the A registered nurse (" RN " is a health care professional responsible for implementing the practice of Nursing through the use of the Nursing Licensed practical nurses (LPNs are also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs in California and Texas and as registered practical nurses (RPNs in Ontario The title "nurse" was used when addressing enrolled nurses. The term "matron" is inadvisable. Matron is the job title of a very senior Nurse in several countries including the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland although the title Clinical

In keeping with the relaxed attitude to formalities in Australia, most nurses are happy to be addressed by their first name and describe themselves either as "an RN" or "an EN". In Victoria, an enrolled nurse will commonly describe themselves as a "Div. 2".

Nurse practitioners

Nurse practitioners are being introduced into the Australian healthcare community, with Victoria having had nurse practitioners since 2000. A Nurse Practitioner (NP is a Registered nurse who has completed specific advanced Nursing education (generally a Master's degree) and training in the

In some instances, it could be argued that this is as a natural professional evolution and recognition of the outstanding clinical expertise some nurses have attained over the course of their careers in areas such as wound management.

Canada

Education

Most provinces in Canada prefer any registered nurse to have at least a bachelor's degree (preferably a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)), although Quebec grants RN status to graduates from CEGEP. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The Bachelor of Science in Nursing ( BSN) is a four year Academic degree in the science and principles of Nursing, granted by a Tertiary education Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk A CEGEP (ˈseɪʒɛp or /ˈsiːʤɛp/ French: Cégep) is a post-secondary education institution exclusive to the province of Quebec in Many practicing nurses are still college graduates, but those entering nursing now are required or encouraged to enter at the university level.

Types of nurses

• Registered nurse (RN).
• Licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN), known as registered practical nurse (RPN) in Ontario. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec
• Registered psychiatric nurse (RPN) - are licensed to practice only in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the territories. British Columbia (ˌbrɪtɨʃ kəˈlʌmbiə ( BC) ( (la Colombie-Britannique C Alberta (ælˈbɝtə is one of Canada's prairie provinces. It became a province on September 1 1905 Saskatchewan (səˈskætʃəwən) is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of 588276 Manitoba (English ˌmænɨˈtoʊbə French /manitoba/ is a province of Canada, spanning 647797 square kilometres (250116  sq mi of North America

Legal regulation

The profession of nursing is regulated at the provincial and territorial level in keeping with the principles of professional regulation endorsed by the International Council of Nurses. Template talkInfobox Union for usage --> The International Council of Nurses ( ICN) is a Federation The College of Nurses of Ontario regulates both RNs and RPNs in contrast to the other provinces and territories where RNs and LPNs are regulated by separate bodies. In the western provinces, psychiatric nurses are governed by distinct legislation. Psychiatric nursing or mental health nursing is the specialty of Nursing that cares for people of all ages with Mental illness or mental distress

All registered nurses and nurse practitioners in the province of Alberta are expected to maintain their clinical competence in order receive an annual practice permit from the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta which also sets standards for scope of practice and provides practice support.

India

Main article: Nursing in India

The Indian Nursing Council is the regulatory body for profession of nursing. Nursing in India The Indian Nursing Council is the regulatory body for Profession of Nursing. A person practising nursing must be registered with the nursing council. For a person to be registered, he or she has to undergo and pass the prescribed course stipulated by the council. In India, diplomas, bachelor degrees (BSc Nursing) postgraduate degrees (MSc Nursing) and Doctorates (PhD) are offered.

Ireland

Nursing is self regulated in Ireland. The regulatory body is An Bord Altranais (The Nursing Board). An Bord Altranais (Irish Nursing Board is a statutory body regulating the nursing profession in the Republic of Ireland. The board was established under the 1950 Nurses Act and currently operates under the 1985 Nurses Act. a There are currently over 82,000 nurses registered by An Bord Altranais of which over 65,000 are on the active register ABA Statistics 2006.

There are seven divisions of the register; general, psychiatric, children's, intellectual disability, midwifery, public health and tutor.

Developments

Significant changes have occurred in Irish nursing since the publication of Report of The Commission on Nursing, A blueprint for the future.

Nurse education

Pre-registration nurse education in university and college based. All pre-registration programmes are at degree level (NQAI level 8). Nurse registration education programmes are governed An Bord Altranais Requirements & Standards.

Significant developments have occurred in post registration nurse education with a variety of programmes available to nurses to support their practice and develop their career.

New Zealand

History

New Zealand originally had nurse education as a part of the hospital system, but, as early as the 1900s, post registration and post graduate programs of study for nurses were in existence. The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO is New Zealand's largest Trade union and professional organisation that represents the Nursing profession The New Zealand Parliament Buildings house the New Zealand Parliament and are on a 45000 square metre site at the northern end of Lambton Quay, Wellington Primary health care, often abbreviated as PHC ( Primary Health Centre) and PC is "essential health care based on practical scientifically sound Reforms in the 1970s disestablished the original hospital-based schools and moved these into the tertiary education sector, namely polytechnics and universities. Institute of technology, and polytechnic, are designations employed in a wide range of learning institutions awarding different types of degrees and operating often at variable A university is an institution of Higher education and Research, which grants Academic degrees in a variety of subjects Within the hospital system were an array of titles and levels, which often focused upon clinical specialty rather than generic nursing knowledge.

Education

Today all nurses in New Zealand are educated to degree level via a three year, two semesters per annum, program, with an approximate 50/50 mix of theory to practice. All current students graduate as a registered comprehensive nurse. Legislation exists keeping the number of schools to no more than 21, although some schools run courses in more than one geographical location. Recently, attempts were made to reintroduce the title enrolled nurse with this causing some disagreement between trade unions, the registering body, and health providers. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs are also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs in California and Texas and as registered practical nurses (RPNs in Ontario A trade union or labour union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas such as wages hours and working conditions forming ^[3]

Legal regulation

All nurses in New Zealand are expected to maintain both professional knowledge and clinical competence in order to receive an annual practicing certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ). The Nursing Council of New Zealand ( NCNZ) are the professional body responsible for the registration of nurses in New Zealand setting standards for nursing education Recent legislation (the 2004 Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act) sets standards for both scope of practice and requirements in terms of ongoing development. . ^[4]

Similarly the NCNZ caused minor controversy when they gave the title nurse practitioner trade mark status, thus preventing those with the title from using it. A Nurse Practitioner (NP is a Registered nurse who has completed specific advanced Nursing education (generally a Master's degree) and training in the A trademark or trade mark, represented by the symbols ™ and ®, or mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual In order to become a nurse practitioner, the nurse must undertake an approved course of study and present a portfolio of evidence to NCNZ for approval. There are now approximately 20 NP's in New Zealand with a smaller number granted prescribing rights.

Ongoing issues

New Zealand has historically provided many nurses for the global market place; the salaries in overseas countries (notably Australia, USA, United Kingdom and the Middle East) have proved attractive to NZ nurses. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. This has resulted in a drop in the number of NZ-educated nurses practicing within New Zealand; recently the flow has been decreased by a substantial pay award for hospital based nurses. This pay award was given to those employed within district health boards but not other public sector providers which caused a degree of conflict within the profession and a return to hospital practice for many in the primary healthcare sector. District Health Boards (DHBs in New Zealand are organisations established by the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 responsible for ensuring the provision of Primary health care, often abbreviated as PHC ( Primary Health Centre) and PC is "essential health care based on practical scientifically sound There has also been an increase in nurses from the United Kingdom, India, South Africa and Philippines migrating to New Zealand. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island

Philippines

Education

All registered nurses in the Philippines are required to have a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing ( BSN) is a four year Academic degree in the science and principles of Nursing, granted by a Tertiary education ^[5]

Legal regulation

The Professional Regulation Commission oversees the licensing of registered nurses as authorized by the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.

A Professional Regulatory Nursing Board implements and enforces the Nursing Act. The board is composed of a chairperson and six additional members, all of whom are nurses with at least a master's degree and ten years of nursing experience. The board inspects nursing schools, conducts licensure examinations, issues and monitors certificates of licensure, promulgates a code of ethics, participates in recognizing nursing specialty organizations, and prescribes guidelines and regulations governing the profession under the Nursing Act.

South Africa

History

South African Nursing Council was initially established by the Nursing Act, No. 45 of 1944, and currently by the Nursing Act, No. 50 of 1978 as amended. ^[6]

Education

In order to be examined to practice as an enrolled nurse, students must complete a two-year academic course which includes 2,000 hours of clinical practice.

Subjects studied in the first year include:

• Nursing history and ethics. Nursing ethics is a branch of Applied ethics that concerns itself with activities in the field of Nursing.
• Basic nursing care.
• Elementary nutrition. Nutrition (also called nourishment or aliment) is the provision to cells and Organisms of the materials necessary (in the form of food to support
• First aid. First aid is the provision of initial care for an Illness or Injury.
• Elementary anatomy and physiology. Human anatomy, which with physiology and biochemistry is a complementary basic medical science is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the adult Human body Human physiology is the science of the mechanical physical and biochemical functions of Humans in good health their organs and the cells of which they are composed
• Introduction to comprehensive health care.

The second year includes study of sciences fundamental to basic nursing and, depending upon the area for which the nursing school has been approved, one of the following subjects:

• General nursing care.
• Nursing care of the aged.
• Nursing care of mentally retarded persons. Mental retardation is a generalized triarchic disorder characterized by subaverage cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors with onset before the age
• Community nursing care.
• Psychiatric nursing care. Psychiatric nursing or mental health nursing is the specialty of Nursing that cares for people of all ages with Mental illness or mental distress

Legal regulation

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) was created by the Nursing Act of 1957. Currently, it functions under the authority of the Nursing Act of 1978 and subsequent amendments. SANC inspects and approves nursing schools and education programs; examines, registers, and enrolls nurses, midwives, and nursing auxiliaries; licenses nursing agencies; and monitors nursing employers. Nurses and nursing auxiliaries are required to wear "distinguishing devices" consisting of pins and colored epaulettes to identify them as licensed professionals. nursing pin is a type of Badge, usually made of metal such as Gold or Silver, which is worn by Nurses to identify the Nursing school Epaulette (ˈɛpǝlɛt is a French word meaning "little shoulder" (from épaule, meaning "shoulder"

United Kingdom

Main article: Nursing in the United Kingdom

Education

Since the 1990s, UK nurses are educated to diploma, bachelor's and even undergraduate master's degree levels. Nursing in the United Kingdom has a long history but in its current form probably dates back to the era of Florence Nightingale, who initiated schools of nursing Established in 2002 the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC is a statutory body set up by Parliament through the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE is a Higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. A bachelor's degree is usually an Undergraduate Academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three four or in some cases and There are also post-graduate courses for graduates with a degree in a health related subject. ^{[7] [8]} They undertake their training at universities and in placements in healthcare services. A university is an institution of Higher education and Research, which grants Academic degrees in a variety of subjects The student will train in adult, child, mental health, or learning disabilities branch. Mental health is a term used to describe either a level of cognitive or Emotional wellbeing or an absence of a Mental disorder. In the United States and Canada, the term learning disability (LD refers to a group of disorders that affect a broad range of academic and functional skills including

Registered nurses

To become a nurse within the United Kingdom, one must at the very minimum hold a Diploma in Nursing and have trained for three years, or two years on an 'accelerated' course, (or equivalent if from overseas). A Diploma in Nursing or Nursing Diploma is an entry-level Tertiary education Nursing degree. After training, the opportunities are vast, with many different areas of nursing, from general ward to teaching or management. Also the practise areas can be in hospital, or in the community or both.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK is the regulatory body for nurses, midwives, and specialist practitioners. Established in 2002 the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC is a statutory body set up by Parliament through the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Midwifery is a Health care profession where providers give Prenatal care to expecting Mothers attend the birth of the Infant It maintains a register that is split into three parts:

• Nursing
• Midwifery
• Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (which includes Health Visitors)

In addition to this, there are two levels of nurse: first-level nurses trained for three or four years (RGN, RMN, RSCN, RNMH, RNchild, RNadult, RNmental health, RN Learning Disability) whereas second-level nurses are the state enrolled nurses (SENs) who trained for two years. Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts and informed choices of society organisations Health visitors are UK registered Nurses or midwives who have undertaken further training to work as part of the Primary health care team Licensed practical nurses (LPNs are also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs in California and Texas and as registered practical nurses (RPNs in Ontario The SEN training has been phased out, with many SENs retiring or converting to level one through further study.

Registered Nurses are able to undertake advanced practice training, commonly at advanced degree level to become specialist nurses in various fields, such as Emergency Nurse Practitioner. These nurses will have obtained, in addition to the basic registration with the NMC, an advanced recordable qualification. Nurses in the United Kingdom can also complete an Independent Prescriber course (of which there are various types at present) which legally permits them to prescribe drugs independently of a doctor.

Many nurses are members of trade unions, which represent them both individually and as a profession. The two main unions are UNISON and the Royal College of Nursing. In Music, a unison () is an interval, the ratio of 11 or 0 half steps and zero cents. Template talkInfobox Union for usage --> The Royal College of Nursing ( RCN) is a membership organisation with

NMC register

All UK nurses are listed on a register and are regulated by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). A nurse registry, nursing registry, or register of nurses is a list of nurses who are legally licensed to practice Nursing. Established in 2002 the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC is a statutory body set up by Parliament through the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 Nurses need to register every three years, although from 1st January 2006 payment for registration is made annually. They are required to have demonstrated that they have kept up-to-date by undertaking at least 35 hours of professional development and 450 hours of nursing practice within the last three years. Professional development refers to skills and knowledge attained for both personal development and career advancement Nursing practice is the actual provision of Nursing care. In providing care Nurses are implementing the Nursing care plan which is based on the client's ^[9].

Prior to the creation of the new three-part register on August 1, 2004, nurses and midwives were divided into a part of the register they held a qualification in. This may be now described as a 'sub-part' of the nursing register. A nurse registry, nursing registry, or register of nurses is a list of nurses who are legally licensed to practice Nursing. All newly qualified nurses register in 'sub-part' 12, 13, 14 or 15, showing their branch qualification. However, nurses still practising and holding qualifications in 'sub-parts' 1-9 are registered as such.

There are approximately 689,000 nurses and midwives on the NMC's register, including those not practising within the UK who have maintained their registration. Approximately 12% of registrants are male, and this is increasing. As of August 2005, the NMC register split into three parts: nurses, midwives, and specialist community public health nurses. There are 'sub-parts' that the nurse or midwife is registered to practice in.

Nursing titles

• State enrolled nurse (SEN) These nurses are expected to perform to a lower level scope of practice, although in reality enrolled nurses often perform to a similar or higher level as staff nurses. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs are also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs in California and Texas and as registered practical nurses (RPNs in Ontario Some areas specifically exclude aspects of practice such as the administration of medications. As such enrolled nurses are technically supposed to work under the supervision of an RN.

• Staff nurse/senior staff nurse: All newly qualified nurses begin at this level and make up the majority of the registered nursing staff. Senior staff nurses are more experienced and usually take "charge" in the absence of senior staff.

• Junior sister/junior charge nurse/deputy ward manager: These nurses are deputy to the ward manager/charge nurse and as such have more of a managerial role.

• Sister/charge nurse/ward manager: Responsible for the management of their ward/clinic/unit usually with budgetary control.

• Clinical nurse manager: Usually manages an area, for example, accident and emergency.

• Matron: Usually manages a directorate, such as medical or surgical. Matron is the job title of a very senior Nurse in several countries including the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland although the title Clinical Historically managed the hospital, although this role is obsolete.

There are various other higher managerial and specialist nurse roles; however these are less well defined on a national scale. Note that charge nurse is used when the "sister" is a male.

United States

Main article: Nursing in the United States

Education

Registered nurses (RN) in the U. Nurses in the United States can practice Nursing in a wide variety of specialties A registered nurse (" RN " is a health care professional responsible for implementing the practice of Nursing through the use of the Nursing S. generally receive their basic preparation through one of four avenues:

• Diploma in Nursing
• Associate of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Master of Science in Nursing

An academic course of study at any level typically includes such topics as anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and medication administration, psychology, ethics, nursing theory and legal issues. A Diploma in Nursing or Nursing Diploma is an entry-level Tertiary education Nursing degree. An Associate of Science in Nursing ( ASN) is an entry-level Tertiary education Nursing degree. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing ( BSN) is a four year Academic degree in the science and principles of Nursing, granted by a Tertiary education A Master of Science in Nursing ( MSN) is an advanced-level Quaternary education degree for Registered Nurses It is required Human anatomy, which with physiology and biochemistry is a complementary basic medical science is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the adult Human body Human physiology is the science of the mechanical physical and biochemical functions of Humans in good health their organs and the cells of which they are composed Pharmacology (from Greek grc φάρμακον pharmakon, "drug" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of how Drugs Medication, also referred to as medicine, can be loosely defined as any substance intended for use in the diagnosis cure mitigation treatment or prevention of disease Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and Nursing ethics is a branch of Applied ethics that concerns itself with activities in the field of Nursing. Nursing theory is the term given to the body of knowledge that is used to support Nursing practice. Additionally, extensive clinical training in nursing practice is required.

All U. S. states and territories require graduation from an accredited nursing program and successful completion of the NCLEX-RN to obtain state licensure as an RN. Educational accreditation is a type of Quality assurance process under which services and operations of an educational institution or program are evaluated by an external body The NCLEX-RN ( N ational C ouncil L icensure EX amination- R egistered N urse is a Computer-adaptive test (CAT of

Legal regulation

In the U.S., the individual states have authority over nursing practice and its scope. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A state is a political association with effective Sovereignty over a geographic Area and representing a Population. Nursing practice is the actual provision of Nursing care. In providing care Nurses are implementing the Nursing care plan which is based on the client's Scope of Practice is a terminology used by state licensing boards for various professions that defines the procedures actions and processes that are permitted for the licensed individual Nurses may be licensed in more than one state, either by examination or endorsement of a license issued by another state. Licenses must be periodically renewed. Some states require continuing education in order to renew licenses. Continuing education is an all encompassing term within a broad spectrum of post-secondary learning activities and programs

Types of nurses

• Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) usually have eighteen months to two years of training in anatomy and physiology, medications, and practical patient care. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs are also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs in California and Texas and as registered practical nurses (RPNs in Ontario
• Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) is a title used in some states which is roughly equivalent to Licensed practical nurse. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs are also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs in California and Texas and as registered practical nurses (RPNs in Ontario
• Registered nurses (RNs) are professional nurses who often supervise the tasks performed by LPNs, orderlies, and nursing assistants. A registered nurse (" RN " is a health care professional responsible for implementing the practice of Nursing through the use of the Nursing They provide direct care and make decisions regarding plans of care for individuals and groups of healthy, ill, and injured people. RNs are the largest healthcare occupation in the U. S.
• Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are registered nurses with advanced education, knowledge, skills, and scope of practice. Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs also known as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses ( APRN s are Registered Nurses with advanced education knowledge skills and scope They perform primary health care, provide mental health services, diagnose and prescribe, carry out research, and educate the public and other professionals.
• Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNPs) advanced nursing degree. They focus more on evidence-based practice and systems leadership that has an immediate impact on the quality of healthcare delivery, rather than on developing programs of original research (as the traditional PhD program graduates do). Very few nurses are prepared at the doctoral level with the skills to transform the practice environment in an immediate way, so the professional opportunities for graduates of the DNP program will be extensive.

See also

• Nurse education
• Nursing
• Nursing articles (category)
• Nursing schools (category)
• Nursing school
• Nursing board certification
• Prominent nurses (category)
• International Nurses Day
• Nursing journals
• Nurse's cap
• Nurse uniform

References

External links

• International Council of Nurses
• NCLEX-RN GUIDE

Canada

• CIHI Regulated Nursing Professions Database - provides supply and distribution statistics for the three nursing professions in Canada.
• Canadian Nurses Association

India

• Indian Nursing Council

Ireland

• An Bord Altranais
• National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing & Midwifery
• Irish Nurses Organisation
• Listing Of Nursing Programs and Educational Degrees Currently Available
• NCLEX-RN GUIDE

New Zealand

• Nursing Council of New Zealand
• New Zealand Nurses Organisation - trade union

Philippines

• Philippine Online Community of Nurses
• Professional Regulation Commission Nursing Portal

South Africa

• The South African Nursing Council

United Kingdom

• The Nursing and Midwifery Council
• NHSCareers website
• The Royal College of Nursing
• NCLEX-RN GUIDE

United States

• American Nurses' Association
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing (USA)
• NCLEX-RN GUIDE
• Per Diem and Travel Nursing with Alego Health

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