What Do Nurses Do? An Insider’s Guide
Ask anyone in healthcare, What do nurses do?, and you’ll hear a dozen different answers. Legally, a nurse is a licensed healthcare professional authorized — through employer agreements and state and federal regulations — to perform a range of duties within a defined scope of practice. Yet that definition barely scratches the surface of their responsibilities.
Scholars have long sought to define the unique role of nurses in healthcare, leading to the development of nursing theories. Some claim the role centers on creating a therapeutic environment, while others believe it’s about helping patients regain the capacity to care for themselves.
In a world full of opinions, what does a nurse do, exactly? To explore this question, we conducted in-depth research and interviewed practicing nurses to compare theoretical definitions with real-world practice — and here’s what we discovered.
What Do Nurses Do In Today’s Healthcare System?
According to the American Nursing Association (ANA), nursing combines the art and science of caring, focusing on protecting, promoting, and optimizing health and human functioning; preventing illness and injury; facilitating healing; and alleviating suffering through compassionate presence. It involves diagnosing and treating human responses and advocating for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations, recognizing the interconnectedness of all humanity.
Registered nurse duties are shaped around the nursing process — a systematic approach to patient care recognized as a standard of professional nursing practice. Regardless of what type of nurse you are or where you work, your job comes down to five core steps:
- Assessment: Gather and analyze information about the patient (e.g., head-to-toe assessment, labs, and family history).
- Diagnosis: Identify actual or potential problems based on assessment data.
- Planning: Set clear goals and determine appropriate interventions to reach them.
- Implementation: Carry out the planned interventions, coordinating them with the healthcare team as needed.
- Evaluation: Check if the plan is working and make changes if needed.
What Do Different Types of Nurses Do?
The term “nursing” encompasses several distinct roles, each with different responsibilities. The three main types of nurses are licensed practical nurses (LPNs) — called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in Texas and California — registered nurses (RNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
The chart below summarizes the key differences among the three levels of nursing:
| Role | Education | Licensure | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPN/LVN | Certificate or diploma program | LPN license contingent on passing the NCLEX-PN exam |
|
| RN | Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree | RN license contingent on passing the NCLEX-RN exam |
|
| APRN | Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree | Certification in chosen APRN specialty in addition to RN licensure |
|
What Does a Nurse Do on a Daily Basis? Clinical vs. Nonclinical Roles
A nursing degree gives you a wide range of career options to explore. You can choose to work in clinical settings, patients’ homes, or even remotely.
Clinical nursing roles typically include work in acute care, post-acute care, long-term care, or home healthcare settings. Acute care involves short-term treatment for patients with severe or sudden illnesses or injuries, while post-acute care focuses on recovery, rehabilitation, and ongoing management after hospitalization.
So, what do nurses do in a hospital or other clinical settings? Although exact RN responsibilities largely depend on the specific specialty, the clinical duties of a nurse typically include the following tasks:
- Conduct patient assessments.
- Administer medications and perform therapeutic procedures as prescribed by physicians or other healthcare providers.
- Create and implement nursing care plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
- Prepare patients for surgeries and other medical procedures.
- Assist healthcare providers with chest tube insertions, catheterizations, lumbar punctures, and other procedures.
- Document care provided in electronic health records (EHRs), such as Epic.
- Witness informed consent and ensure all required treatment documents are properly signed by the patient.
- Communicate important updates to healthcare providers when the patient’s condition changes.
- Provide change-of-shift reports to other nurses to ensure continuity of care.
- Precept and mentor new-graduate nurses.
- Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including feeding, hygiene, and mobility if needed.
- Offer emotional support to patients and their families during care.
- Educate patients and families on how to manage their condition at home.
Now, you might be wondering, What do RNs do innonclinical settings? Nurses in these roles usually work behind the scenes, focusing on things like education, research, policy development, and other support tasks that help improve patient care. Here are some examples of nonclinical nursing roles:
What Do Nurses Do in Different Specialty Areas?
Nurses can specialize in a variety of areas depending on the patient populations they serve, the health conditions they manage, or the healthcare settings where they work. Let’s look at some nursing specialties to better understand the duties of the roles.
1. Nursing Specialties Based on Patient Populations
Some nurses choose to specialize in caring for certain age groups or populations. Here are some examples of such specialties:
- Neonatal nurses care for newborn babies, often in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- Pediatric nurses work with infants, children, and adolescents.
- OB-GYN nurses care for patients during pregnancy, childbirth, and reproductive health-related medical needs.
- Geriatric nurses care for seniors, often managing chronic illnesses and age-related health conditions.
2. Nursing Specialties Based on Health Conditions
Other nurses specialize in managing specific medical conditions. Here are some examples of specialties within this type:
- Orthopedic nurses care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, injuries, or after orthopedic surgeries.
- Cardiac care nurses focus on heart-related conditions and procedures.
- Neurology nurses provide care for patients with nervous system disorders, such as stroke, epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis.
- Infection control nurses work to prevent and manage infectious diseases.
3. Nursing Specialties Based on Work Environments
Some nurses choose to specialize based on the environment in which they practice. Here are some examples of common workplaces for nurses:
- Outpatient or ambulatory care nurses care for patients in clinics or urgent care centers that don’t require overnight stays.
- Intensive care unit nurses care for critically ill patients who require close monitoring.
- Hospice nurses support patients who are nearing the end of life, focusing on symptom management and emotional support.
- Home health nurses visit patients in their homes to provide medical care, including administering intravenous infusions, providing wound care, and performing assessments.
What Do Nurses Do? Theory vs. Practice
To truly understand what nurses do, we asked them to compare the textbook definition with their day-to-day work. Here are some responses from nurses describing what their jobs are actually like:
- “In my experience on a med-surg floor, the actual work was much more about managing my emotions and helping others with theirs than I expected! I remember a patient who had been in a bad car wreck late at night, and her kids were at the bedside the next morning, trying to process what was happening and what their mom looked like — with missing teeth, stitches, etc. Every time I went into the room, I was helping them as much as I was hanging an IV med. That emotional element seemed to always be at the forefront of the job for me.” — Bonnie W., RN, BSN
- “We were often expected to do the job of several staff members — cleaning rooms, giving baths, getting meds from the pharmacy, and picking up food deliveries for patients (the most frustrating). When I was a charge nurse, I also handled more administrative tasks like taking the census, making the day’s assignments, and counting meds in the Pyxis. The MICU was similar in that we only had one tech for a 31-bed ICU, so the nurses really relied on each other. In the ICU, you’re expected to work with a lot more autonomy, especially at night, so I was very dependent on my experienced coworkers. And, of course, we cleaned our own rooms and gave our own bed baths.” — Marie H., RN, BSN
- “In my experience, nurses are the hospital catch-all. Our scope extends from the minutiae — like “getting that darn TV to work” for a patient — and onto more pressing needs, like leftover care tasks that someone must fulfill. This might look like taking care of wound care, vitals, or a bed change on behalf of a colleague.” — Rachel S., RN, BSN, MA
What Do Nurses Do? FAQ
What do nurses do on a daily basis?
A typical nursing shift usually starts with a handoff report, where you get updates about your patients from the previous nurse. Then, you’ll assess your patients, check vital signs, and start your daily tasks — like administering medications, preparing patients for procedures, and reviewing any new orders from doctors. You might also join team meetings to discuss care plans or updates.
Throughout the day, you’ll document everything you do in the patient’s record. At the end of your shift, you’ll give your own detailed handoff report to the next nurse to ensure a smooth transition of care.
What is an RN?
An RN is a licensed healthcare professional who:
- Completed a nursing degree — either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Passed the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Holds a valid license to practice nursing.
Where do nurses work?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority of nurses in America (59%) work in acute care and are employed by state, local, and private hospitals. Additionally, RNs work in ambulatory care (18%), nursing and residential care facilities (6%), for the government (5%), and in educational services (3%).
What is the main role of a nurse?
The core of nursing is simple: Ensure your patients are safe and well taken care of. However, nursing duties are guided in a number of ways, including fulfilling tasks outlined in their job description, following state and federal regulations, and adhering to professional ethical standards.
Is being a nurse very hard?
We’re not going to sugarcoat it — nursing jobs can be tough. Did you know that over 75% of nurses experience burnout, and 83% are worried about the state of the profession?
That said, nursing can be incredibly rewarding too. Check out our guide to the happiest nursing jobs to explore positions that might offer a better work-life balance.
Are nurses paid well?
The average registered nurse salary is $98,430 per year, but your location, specialty, education, years of experience, and facility type can impact your pay. The states with the highest average salaries for registered nurses are:
These are some of the best cities for nurses, with the highest levels of employment for RNs in particular:
Check out all the RN jobs on IntelyCare for more insight as to where nurses can find work.
Is nursing a good career choice?
The answer depends on individual factors and life goals. Nursing does come with challenges, including a growing burnout rate and staffing shortages, but the career also offers several key benefits:
- Job security: As a registered nurse, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find a job that suits your lifestyle. Day shift, night shift, per diem, part-time, and full-time roles — these are just a few options for you to consider.
- Professional development opportunities: You can get credentialed or certified in specialty areas that are of interest to you, which opens doors to new job titles.
- Ability to make a difference: The care that registered nurses give patients can help improve the quality of — and sometimes even save — their lives.
- Respect and recognition: RNs enjoy the trust and faith of the public, their patients, and the healthcare professionals they work with. Nurses are the first line of defense, and without them, the healthcare system simply can’t function.
What are the 6 Cs of nursing?
The six Cs of nursing are care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, and commitment. These qualities guide nurses in providing safe, effective, and empathetic patient care.
Ready for a Brand-New Nursing Job?
What do nurses do if they want to boost their career? Good question. At IntelyCare, we’re here to help you find more than just your next job — we help you build a nursing career that supports the life you want to lead.