The American Nursing Association states nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations. Nurses assist patients with managing and coping with their illness. They are advocates for their patients and educate them on disease prevention and health promotion. There are many areas of nursing, such as in advanced practice and research nursing, where clinical decisions are made for patients without a physician.