What Does a Nurse Do?
01/14/2026
Nurses may contribute to the health care system by promoting1 well-being, helping maintain safety, and serving as consistent points of support throughout a patient’s health care journey. Their work blends attentive care with specialized knowledge, forming the foundation on which effective, person-centered health care is built.
Core Responsibilities of Nurses in Health Care
Nursing responsibilities can vary, but they share several core activities.1 Nurses are involved in nearly every aspect of patient care, from in-depth assessments to ongoing monitoring and patient education.
Patient Assessment and Monitoring
Nurses typically conduct patient assessments that consider physical, emotional, social, and lifestyle factors. They may continually observe changes by monitoring patients’ vital signs, tracking symptoms, and evaluating overall well-being. This long-term observation may help nurses take an overall view of a patient’s health.
Implementing and Supporting Treatment Plans
Nurses typically help establish and implement treatment plans, collaborating with health care providers, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. They may assist with physical exams, provide direct patient care, and update care strategies as patient needs evolve. These responsibilities may help support the continuity of care across departments and settings.
Coordinating Care With the Health Care Team
A nurse’s role typically involves acting as a bridge between patients and the broader health care team. Whether coordinating follow-up services, relaying information to specialists, or supporting interdisciplinary communication, nurses may help maintain smooth transitions throughout the health care experience.
Using Medical Equipment and Technology
Nurses may regularly operate and interpret medical equipment to support assessments and treatments. This may include monitoring machines, mobility aids, diagnostic tools, and a wide variety of devices used across healthcare facilities and medical facilities.
Administering Medications and Interventions
Many nurses may administer medications and observe patient responses. This may include monitoring for side effects, documenting progress, and adjusting care strategies under the guidance of the healthcare team.
Patient Education and Emotional Support
Nurses typically deliver patient education that may help patients and their families or caregivers to understand their health conditions, treatments, and self-care strategies. They may also provide ongoing emotional support, helping patients and their families navigate the challenges of illness, recovery, or long-term management.
Types of Nurses and What They Do
The American Nurses Association® identifies several major1 categories of nurses, each contributing to quality care in different ways.
Registered Nurses (RNs)
Registered nurses (RNs) work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, nursing facilities, community clinics, and physician’s offices.
They typically perform a wide range of duties, such as:1
Performing physical exams and health histories
Supporting health promotion, counseling, and educating patients
Administering medications and interventions
Helping coordinate patient care with a broad network of health care professionals
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
Advanced practice registered nurse roles typically involves supporting more specialized aspects of care. APRN roles may include:1
Nurse practitioners and family nurse practitioners
Nurse midwives
Nurse anesthetist professionals
Clinical nurse specialist roles
Depending on their licensure and state scope-of-practice regulations, these nurses may diagnose and treat health conditions, manage chronic concerns, and contribute expertise to specialized clinical environments.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
A licensed practical nurse or practical nurses provide basic nursing care, such as:1
Checking a patient’s vital signs
Changing dressings
Assisting with comfort and daily living
Supporting the care plan developed by RNs and other team members
Common Nursing Specialties in Modern Health Care
Today’s nursing field includes countless nursing specialties. Here are just a few of the typical specializations that nurses may choose to pursue:2
Medical-Surgical Nursing (CMSRN®, RN-BC®) - Medical-surgical nurses may provide comprehensive patient care across health care facilities, managing diverse conditions and coordinating treatment plans.
Critical Care Nursing (CCRN®) - Critical care nurses may deliver direct patient care to individuals with life-threatening conditions in ICUs, cardiac units, and other high-acuity settings.
Emergency Nursing (CEN®) - Emergency nurses may rapidly assess, stabilize and treat patients experiencing trauma, injury or urgent medical conditions in fast-paced environments.
Pediatric Nursing (CPN®, RN-BC) - Pediatric nurses may care for children across developmental stages, performing physical exams, giving emotional support to families and educating patients.
Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC®) - Neonatal nurses may provide specialized care to critically ill newborns, monitoring vital signs, administering medications and supporting early development.
Oncology Nursing (OCN®) - Oncology nurses may work with patients undergoing cancer treatment, assisting with chemotherapy, symptom management and ongoing education.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMH-RN, PMHNP-BC) - Mental health nurses may support individuals with psychiatric conditions, using critical thinking, therapeutic communication and evidence-based interventions.
Nurse Practitioner Specialties (FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC®, etc.) - Nurse practitioners may perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses and prescribe medications across specialties such as family health and acute care.
Perioperative/Operating Room Nursing (CNOR®) - Operating room nurses may collaborate with surgeons and other nurses to ensure safe surgical care, maintaining sterile fields and monitoring patient status.
Public Health Nursing (PHNA-BC®) - Public health nurses may promote health at the community level, conducting health education, population assessments and disease-prevention initiatives in community health settings.
How Nurses Guide and Support Patients Throughout Their Care
From illness prevention to long-term recovery, nurses play a critical role in guiding patients through every stage of their health journey. Their responsibilities extend beyond clinical tasks to include emotional support, education, and coordination of care that enhances patient well-being.
Nurses help patients and families by:
Tracking health outcomes to inform care strategies
Ensuring safety across various care settings
Coordinating seamless care transitions
Communicating changes in health status to the care team
Offering emotional support and clear health education
Helping families understand and participate in care decisions
Whether working in hospitals, schools, or community clinics, nurses serve as trusted advocates and knowledgeable caregivers. Their presence is vital to delivering compassionate, comprehensive care wherever it’s needed.
Interested in exploring how nursing roles differ? Learn more about the differences between nursing and practical nursing to better understand how these paths support patient care in unique ways.
The career paths mentioned in this article are provided as general examples of typical career paths within the nursing field and should not be interpreted as assurances of employment or eligibility for any specific position.
American Nurses Association® is a registered trademark of American Nurses Association 8515 Georgia Ave, suite 400 Silver Spring, MARYLAND UNITED STATES 20910.
CMSRN® is a registered trademark of Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board, Inc.
RN-BC® is a registered trademark of American Nurses Credentialing Center
CCRN® is a registered trademark of AACN Certification Corporation
CEN® is a registered trademark of Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing
CPN® is a registered trademark of Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, Inc.
RNC-NIC® is a registered trademark of National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties
OCN® is a registered trademark of Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
AGACNP-BC® is a registered trademark of American Nurses Credentialing Center
CNOR® is a registered trademark of Competency & Credentialing Institute
PHNA-BC® is a registered trademark of American Nurses Credentialing Center
1American Nurses Association® (ANA), What Is Nursing? at https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/ (accessed Dec. 3, 2025).
2Rasmussen University, Nursing Specialty Certifications blog page, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/nursing-specialty-certifications/ (accessed Dec. 3, 2025).
