Head Nurse
The Head Nurse oversees all the Nurses currently aboard, ensuring they are assigned to task and working as required in there area. Additionally the Head nurse can and may perform the normal duties of the nurse, assisting the Duty Medical Officer in sickbay.
It should be mentioned that most Head Nurses are Nurse Practitioners, meaning that they have extensive medical knowledge, though under that of a medical doctor. They have the right to preform minor invasive procedures, make diagnoses and prescribe a limited amount of medicine. They are also licensed as a Registered Nurse, which gives them the right and ability to do anything that an officer nurse may do, such as dispensing medication, basic wound treatment and patient education. Nurse Practitioners are more holistic in nature than Medical Officers. Nurse Practitioners hold rank no less than Lieutenant (Junior Grade), due to the fact that they hold no less than a Masters of Science in Nursing.
In the event of an emergency, should the Head Nurse be a Nurse Practitioner, he or she is capable of commanding the Medical Department in the absence of a Medical Officer. However, most Head Nurses are glorified paper pushers.
On very small ships, Head Nurses can be the title of the highest ranking nurse aboard, which may be an Enlisted or Warrant Officer. Head Nurses must be either Senior Enlisted (E-7 and above) or Ensigns and above on larger ships and bases.
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