ABSTRACT
Nursing in the UK encompasses several disciplines – nursing adults, children, people with learning disability or people with mental health problems – and as it also relates to the international community of nursing practitioners across the world, finding a good definition that embraces all aspects of the profession is difficult. The most enduring definition has been agreed by the International Council of Nurses (n.d.):
Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness and the care of ill, disabled and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in patient health care systems management, and education are also key nursing roles.
