What Is Professional Nursing?
06/26/2025
If you're exploring career paths and love helping others, you may have come across professional nursing. What does that mean?
In this blog, we'll break down the nursing profession, what nurses do, how they support the health care system, and what kind of nursing education and training are involved. If you’re a recent high school graduate, someone considering a career change, or you’re just curious, understanding the basics of professional nursing can help you take the next step.
Breaking Down Professional Nursing
The American Nurses Association (ANA®) defines1 nursing as both an art and a science, combining deep compassion with critical thinking to deliver holistic, patient-centered care. Regardless of specialization, all nurses share a commitment to integrating clinical knowledge with individual patient needs to ensure the highest standard of care in every setting.
At its core, nursing care addresses both physical and emotional needs. Nurses assess patients, develop care plans, monitor vital signs, administer medications, and educate patients and families. They work collaboratively with other health care professionals like doctors, physical therapists, and social workers to ensure coordinated, effective care delivery.
It’s not just a job, it’s a field that plays a vital role in promoting health outcomes, ensuring patient safety, and delivering quality health care.
The Role of a Registered Nurse
A registered nurse (RN) is a licensed professional2 who has completed training and passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) licensure exam. RNs can be found in almost every nursing practice setting, from hospitals and nursing homes to public health clinics and schools.
Registered nurses coordinate and provide direct nursing services. They perform assessments and interventions, use critical thinking to make real-time care decisions, and educate patients on managing conditions and promoting health. They also collaborate with health care providers across disciplines.
Many RNs later pursue professional development activities such as leadership roles, advanced certifications, or graduate degree programs in areas like nurse education or nurse practitioner studies.
Specializations in Professional Nursing
Over time, nurses can develop clinical expertise in various areas, allowing them to work in specialized roles2.
Some of the most common include:
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs): Who are advanced practice nurses that diagnose and treat illnesses often with a high degree of independence
- Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS): Who focus on a specific population or setting and offer expertise in clinical practice, research, and consultation
- Public Health Nursing: Which focuses on community-wide efforts to improve population health and prevent illness.
- Other roles include: School nurses, mental health nurses, nurse educators, and nurse researchers, each contributing uniquely to the health care landscape.
As you gain experience, you may choose to join professional nursing organizations such as the National League for Nursing®3 or the American Nurses Association®4, both of which support ongoing professional growth, education, and advocacy.
Where Nurses Work
While hospitals are a common setting for nursing care, professional nurses work in a wide variety of environments5 across the health care system.
These include:
- Nursing homes
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Schools
- Corporate health departments
- Public health agencies
- Correctional facilities
- Patients’ homes
Some nurses serve in the military, while others work in academic or research institutions, helping shape the future of the profession through education and innovation.
This wide range of nursing practice settings provides flexibility, allowing nurses to find the environment that aligns with their interests, lifestyle, and long-term goals. If it’s hospital care, community outreach, or specialized clinical practice, nursing roles can be found in a wide range of health care environments.
Education and Professional Development
Becoming a nurse starts with the right nursing education.6 There are several paths to becoming an RN at Rasmussen University7:
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
A program that prepares you for the NCLEX-RN exam. It includes classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical training.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
A degree that covers a broader scope of nursing roles, leadership, and research. Some programs offer accelerated BSN options for those with a prior degree.
RN-to-BSN Programs
Designed for current RNs who want to help prepare for specialized roles or enhance their professional skills.
After gaining experience, nurses can pursue graduate degree programs in nursing leadership, education, or advanced practice specialties. Continuous education is essential in nursing, and many professional organizations provide access to professional development resources.
Nursing’s Collaborative Role in Health Care
Nurses don't work in isolation. They're part of a broad team of health professionals that includes physicians, therapists, technicians, and social workers. They often contribute to care coordination efforts, help facilitate communication among teams, and advocate for the patient’s perspective.
Their contributions are central to improving population health, advancing clinical outcomes, and enhancing the performance of healthcare organizations overall.
Is Professional Nursing Right for You?
If you're in the early stages of exploring your future and wondering whether professional nursing is a good fit, it's helpful to reflect on your values, interests, and aspirations. Think about whether you're drawn to a career where you can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, where science and empathy go hand in hand.
Some questions to consider include:
- Do you enjoy solving problems, working as part of a team, and staying calm under pressure?
- Are you curious about the human body, committed to lifelong learning, and motivated by a sense of purpose?
- Nursing may lead to new responsibilities or areas of practice, depending on individual goals and experiences.
If these qualities resonate with you, professional nursing could be a path worth exploring further.
How to Take Your First Step Toward Nursing
Start small. Explore nursing videos on YouTube, attend a local info session, or talk to nurses in your community. Check out programs in your area or online to get a feel for different pathways.
As you learn more, you’ll understand the opportunities available to you and how to take that first step toward a career in professional nursing.
American Nurses Association® is a registered trademark of American Nurses Association 8515 Georgia Ave, suite 400 Silver Spring, MARYLAND UNITED STATES 20910
NCLEX-RN® is a registered trademark of National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. 111 East Wacker Drive Suite 2900 Chicago, ILLINOIS UNITED STATES 60601
1American Nurses Association, “What is Nursing?,” at https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/ (visited May 29, 2025).
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-2 (visited May 29, 2025). Employment conditions in your area may vary.
3National League for Nursing, at https://www.nln.org/ (visited May 29, 2025).
4American Nurses Association, “About ANA,” at https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/about-ana/ (visited May 29, 2025).
5Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3 (visited May 29, 2025). Employment conditions in your area may vary.
6Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-4 (visited May 29, 2025). Employment conditions in your area may vary.
7Rasmussen University, “What is Professional Nursing?,” at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/professional-nursing/ (visited May 29, 2025).
