Working with a range of healthcare professionals, nurses are involved in the care of individuals, families and communities.
Nurses use their clinical judgement to advocate and promote safe healthcare environments. They are also involved in education and research, shaping health policy and approaches to patient care.
Nurses perform complex assessments of the physical and psychological needs of patients and put together care plans for their treatment and recovery.
They assist medical staff who perform invasive or complex procedures, educate patients to promote self-care and health, perform clinical tasks such as wound management and medication administration, and supervise other nurses or healthcare workers.
They can also specialise in a range of areas including emergency, paediatrics, cardiology, education, mental health, aged care, critical care, oncology and public health.
Nurses work in hospitals, general practices, aged-care facilities and community care. They work across a wide range of fields including:
- emergency
- mental health
- neonatal
- orthopaedic
- paediatric
- rehabilitation
- oncology
- critical care
- aged-care.