The key functions of nurses include acting as caregivers, clinical decision makers, advocates, case managers, rehabilitators, comforters, communicators, teachers, and researchers. As caregivers, nurses help clients regain their health through the healing process and address their holistic healthcare needs. They also preserve clients' dignity, accept them as individuals, and help clients and families set and meet healthcare goals. Additionally, nurses use critical thinking to make ethical clinical decisions, protect clients, communicate effectively with the healthcare team, provide comfort, counsel clients, educate clients and families, and conduct research to improve nursing practices and outcomes.