Crossword Genius

A married woman starts to nurse sick nationals (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

americans

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'nationals' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'a married woman starts to nurse sick' is the wordplay.
'married' becomes 'm' (abbreviation, e.g. in genealogy).
'woman' becomes 'erica' ().
'starts to' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'nurse sick' is 'ns'.
'a'+'m'+'erica'+'ns'='AMERICANS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for americans that I've seen before include "Rains came (anag.)" , "across the pond?" , "New Yorkers, e.g." , "Yanks" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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