Nurse: what does it mean?

[Gillian Taylor]

I have an ancestor who's described as 'nurse' in the1841 census. Her age is given as 60, and in the household are three girls of 13, 11 and 9. I can't find any other record of any of them, and they certainly aren't her own children or grandchildren.

Do you think that 'nurse' in this context means someone who takes in 'nurse children', children who have no parents to care for them, and who gets a pittance from the parish or family in return?

Thanks if you can help.

Gillian