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. Nurses also provide care at birth and death. There is currently a shortage of nurses in the United Kingdom, United States and a number of other developed countries.

Etymology

The terms "nurse" and "nursing," as used for medical professionals, originates from the female concept of breastfeeding, as the original "nurses" were simply substitute breastfeeders for mothers who were unable to give milk for whatever reason. When "nurses" became more generalized assisting medical technicians, the altered term "wet nurse" came to refer to the original concept.

Today, the term "nurse" is never used for "wet nurse," even though the latter concept conveys the original meaning of the term. Because breastfeeding can only be carried out by a female, the "nurse" term itself has been arguedWho: date=April 2009 to be discouraging to males wishing to become medical professionals, and to contribute to the sociological phenomenon that male interest in nursing is low, and that "nursing" itself is largely considered to be a woman's profession.Fact: date=April 2009 ]]

Education and regulation

A student nurse in the United States (1942)Typically, there are several distinct types of nurses distinguished by the area they work in. (Emergency Department, Pediatrics, Adult, Older Adult, Psych, ect.) Nurses throughout the world are increasingly employed as registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners. 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. These nurses practice nursing, teach nursing, and carry out nursing research.

In various parts of the world, the educational background for nurses varies widely. In some parts of eastern Europe, nurses are high school graduates with twelve to eighteen months of training. In contrast, Chile requires any registered nurse to have at least a bachelor's degree.

In the United Kingdom, nurses must attend a university in order to qualify as a nurse. Student obtain either a High National Diploma or a Bachelor's Degree (which varies from institution to institution; some may award BCs, whilst others may award a BN). Some university courses attract an Honours Degree (eg BN (Hons)). The requirements for the degree or the diploma are set down by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which is the regulatory body for nursing and midwifery. Typically, student nurses will complete a minimum of three extended (42 weeks) academic years, of which 50% is theoretical and 50% is practical. A variety of placements are attended during this time, including care of the elderly, medical and surgical wards, community and critical care. Some students may get to experience a short placement in maternity, too.