They perform the following tasks:
.Act as an advocate for the patient;
.carry out nursing care of the patient, technical care and treatment ordered by the patient's doctor including medication;
.observe, assess and document patient's condition and responses to treatment;
.provide first aid in emergency situations;
assist in routine medical examinations;
.prepare patients for surgery and invasive procedures;
.provide postoperative care such as wound care, nutritional management, physiotherapy and rehabilitation;
.provide emotional support to patients and their families; educate patients and advise on health matters; and
.assist with the patient's discharge planning.

A second level of nursing qualification is enrolled nursing, requiring one year of training. Enrolled nurses assist in the provision of nursing care in hospitals and nursing homes, working under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Nursing is very diverse with many areas in which you can specialise according to your interests.

These include:Aged care; . Critical care (intensive care); . Cardiothoracic (coronary care/respiratory); . Pre-operative; . Midwifery; . Mental health; . Community nursing; . Rural and remote nursing;. Cancer nursing (oncology); . Child health (paediatrics); and. Rehabilitation/ occupational health and safety. Here we take a look at these areas more closely.

Midwife

Midwives care for women during pregnancy, labour and birth and, in the postnatal period, care for both the mother and newborn baby. Midwives have always trained as registered nurses first.