When you are lying sick in a hospital room, lonely and depressed, the sight of the ever-caring, friendly nurse cheers you up. Closely associated with the name of Florence Nightingale, nursing must be one of the noblest professions in the world. It blends the art of caring with the science of health care.

Nurses and nursing assistants constitute the largest group of workers in the health sector. They are an integral part of the health care system all across the globe. And we are so accustomed to seeing only women in this field, the absence of men seems almost a natural phenomenon.

Nurses have to perform various types of functions according to their qualifications and the working environment. At the beginning of their career, they are given the responsibility for bedside care of patients. As they grow in experience, nurses learn to look after psychiatric, pediatric, and intensive care patients who need specialized skills. They also perform routine jobs like dispensing medication, keeping records of the patients� progress, and setting up and operating medical equipment.

Nurses have to work long hours and are often exposed to health risks from infectious diseases. As their job demands, they must be prepared to work hard, and be patient and brave. They should learn to understand a patient�s needs and try to meet them.

Large numbers of institutions in the US offer diploma, graduate and postgraduate courses in nursing. Apart from hospital nursing, they can find employment in other settings like home care, private practice, public health, extended care centers, clinics, offices, schools, military service, corporations, health-related industries, and health centers. The remuneration depends on the level of qualification and experience.

Once almost unimaginable, nurses these days also influence legislation, have a say in health care delivery systems and impart education about disease prevention and health promotion.