Who is a Nurse?

Chances are if an average African is asked; who is a nurse? the most likely response would be that a nurse is a female dressed in white who gives injections, right? Sadly, that is the concept of who a nurse is to most people. So who really is a nurse?


A nurse is any individual(male/female) who has undergone formal education and training that equips the individual with the required skills to tend to those who are sick or disabled.

According to the International Council of Nurses, " Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness and the care of ill, disabled or dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research participation in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management and education are also key nursing roles".

In other words,  the cardinal functions of a nurse include the following health promotion, health preservation, health restoration and care of the dying and their relatives.

Nursing practice is not limited to the hospital setting as most people believe. Other settings where a nurse may practice include

• Companies/Industries(occupational health nurse)
• Military and paramilitary facilities.
• Schools.
• Camps.
• Ships.
• Private homes.
• Pharmaceutical companies(Nurse researcher).

There are a variety of specialties  to pick from ranging from orthopedics, mental health, disability, burns and plastic, cardiothoracic, accident and emergency, preoperative and midwifery to name a few.

In some countries, nurses are taking up more advanced roles such as nurse practitioners and advanced nurse practitioners in response to shortfalls in medical staffing, hopefully this trend will catch up in the developing world.

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