The Victorian Order Nurses are part of the public health service in Canada, the nurses themselves who are versed in all areas of public health regardless of the specifics of each of their individual jobs. Most nurses perform patient care in the home under the direction of the patient's primary care physician, the nurse often acting as the intermediary between the doctor and the patient's care-giving friends and family who must take over such duties when the nurses are not on duty. Many mothers are familiar with their services as they are on site during at-home pregnancies, and perform pre- and post-partum care to any mother and child in the home as required. The responsibilities of the nurses often make them think quick on their feet as their duties sometimes involve emergencies and often in an environment without a full stock of standard medical equipment.