"What do nurses do?"

[talaxandra]

I just read an interesting article by Suzanne Gordon ("What do nurses really do?" Topics in Advanced Practice Nursing ejournal 2006 6(1) on Medscape) and really liked this as a definition of nursing:

"Using their considerable knowledge, [nurses] protect patients from the risks and consequences of illness, disability, and infirmity, as well as from the risks and consequences of the treatment of illness. They also protect patients from the risks that occur when illness and vulnerability make it difficult, impossible, or even lethal for patients to perform the activities of daily living - ordinary acts like breathing, turning, going to the toilet, coughing, or swallowing."

Just thought I'd share!