What would be examples of nursing practice? A comprehensive guide

October 2, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the American Nurses Association, there are over 4 million registered nurses in the U.S., performing a wide array of duties that constitute the broad field of nursing practice. This guide explores in detail what would be examples of nursing practice, covering the diverse skills and settings that define the modern nursing profession and its impact on patient care and public health.

Quick Summary

Nursing practice encompasses a wide range of activities, including direct clinical care like administering medication and wound care, patient education on chronic disease management, public health initiatives such as immunization clinics, and advanced practice roles like diagnosing and treating illness. It is a dynamic field that adapts to patient needs and healthcare settings.

Key Points

Clinical Care: In a hospital, examples include monitoring vitals, administering medications, and providing complex wound care.
Community Health: Examples outside the hospital include running immunization clinics, conducting health screenings, and educating the public on disease prevention.
Advanced Practice: For Nurse Practitioners, practice involves diagnosing and treating illnesses and prescribing medications, showcasing a higher level of autonomy.
Professional Advocacy: Speaking up for a patient's needs and ensuring their ethical rights are respected is a crucial, non-technical nursing practice.
Adherence to the Nursing Process: All nursing practice is underpinned by a systematic, five-step framework: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Interprofessional Collaboration: Nurses regularly coordinate care with doctors, therapists, and other specialists, which is a vital part of effective nursing practice.

Understanding the breadth of nursing practice

Nursing is a dynamic profession involving specialized knowledge and skills to promote health, prevent disease, and care for individuals, families, and communities [1.3]. These practices are guided by professional standards, ethics, and regulatory scope of practice.

Clinical nursing practice

Clinical nursing involves direct patient care in various settings, requiring technical skill, critical thinking, and compassion [3]. Examples include patient assessment and monitoring, medication administration, wound care, and emergency response [3].

Community and public health nursing

Community and public health nurses work to improve population health in settings like schools and public health departments [4]. Examples include organizing immunization clinics and providing health education [4]. Other areas include correctional health and telehealth nursing.

Advanced practice nursing

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have higher education and training, taking on more complex roles [3]. Examples include Nurse Practitioners who diagnose and treat illnesses and prescribe medication, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists who administer anesthesia, and Clinical Nurse Specialists who provide expert care in specific areas [3].

The nursing process: A structured approach

The nursing process is a systematic five-step framework used for consistent and quality care [2]. It includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation [2].

Comparison of nursing practice settings


Aspect	Acute Care (Hospital)	Community Health (Clinic/Public)	Long-Term Care (Nursing Home)
Patient Focus	Managing acute illness/injury	Population health, prevention	Chronic disease management
Primary Goal	Stabilize and discharge	Promote wellness and education	Maintain function, comfort
Typical Tasks	Vitals, medication, wound care	Immunizations, screenings, counseling	Medication management, personal care
Pace	Often fast-paced and high-pressure	Varied, often community-based	Consistent, scheduled, and focused
Interventions	High-level medical procedures	Health education and screenings	Assistance with daily living

The ethical and collaborative nature of nursing

Nursing practice is guided by ethics, emphasizing patient advocacy, compassion, and respect [2]. Key professional practices include patient advocacy, ethical decision-making, and interprofessional collaboration [2]. Lifelong learning is also essential [2]. For additional insight, see this resource on interprofessional collaboration

Conclusion

Examples of nursing practice span a wide range from critical care to public health and advanced roles. This diversity highlights the profession's importance in healthcare. Nurses apply technical skills, ethical principles, and compassion to improve patient and community health outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference lies in the level of education and scope of practice. An RN holds a nursing diploma or degree and provides direct patient care, while an APRN holds a master's or doctoral degree and can perform more advanced duties, such as diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medication.

Community nursing focuses on population health and prevention, often occurring in schools, clinics, or public health settings. Hospital nursing, or acute care, focuses on managing and treating individual patients with acute illnesses or injuries within a hospital setting.

Yes, absolutely. Patient education and counseling are fundamental components of nursing practice. Nurses educate patients and their families about health conditions, medication management, and lifestyle changes to empower them and promote positive health outcomes.

Patient safety practices include implementing fall prevention strategies, adhering to strict infection control protocols like hand hygiene, and following the 'five rights' of medication administration to prevent errors.

Yes, nursing practice extends beyond direct patient care to include administrative and leadership roles. A nurse administrator, for example, manages nursing staff, coordinates patient care services, and develops healthcare policies within a facility.

Evidence-based practice involves using the most current, high-quality research findings to guide clinical decision-making. Nurses incorporate evidence-based practice to ensure they are providing the most effective and safe care possible to their patients.

Nurses contribute to ethical care by acting as patient advocates, respecting patient autonomy, and navigating complex ethical dilemmas. They ensure that care decisions align with the patient's values and wishes, and they maintain patient confidentiality and privacy.