Nursing is both a discipline and a profession. The focus of the discipline is the generation of knowledge related to persons and their environments for the purpose of maximizing the well-being of individuals, families, communities, and society through health promotion, restoration, and maintenance. The focus of the profession is the care of individuals, groups and communities through application of discipline-specific and discipline-related knowledge. Nurses contribute individually, and collaboratively with other professionals, to promote positive health outcomes. Nurses apply a professional code of ethics and professional guidelines to clinical practice and demonstrate compassion, advocacy, and cultural sensitivity.