It is written that nursing is a “learned profession, a science, and an art.” (Fundamentals of Nursing, Pg. 87) Due to the fact that it responds to the health problems of many individuals and their loved ones, nursing is a “unique” profession. It is one of the oldest arts, with “great, universal mother instincts.” (Fundamentals of Nursing, Pg. 87) “Nursing has evolved over many years, influenced by the means which the sick were cared for.
Changes in the way people live, the interrelationship of people with their environment, the search for knowledge and the truth through education, and technological advances have made nursing… what it is and what it will be.” (Foundations of Nursing, Pg 3) After reviewing in its entirety, the history of nursing, one could note that it has developed “a growing body of knowledge.” (Fundamentals of Nursing, Pg. 90) At approximately 5000 B. C. , there was not much nursing reference. If a person was ill, it was considered that evil spirits possessed them, and “the presence of a good spirit kept disease away.” (Foundations of Nursing, Pg 24) It is noted that “medicine-men”, mostly assisted by men, performed witchcraft for healing during this time.
These performances involved frightening masks, noises, and even sacrifices. These medicine men became known as priests and for many centuries, they were the only physicians. During the Babylonian era and medieval times, it was believed that the caregivers were usually men. Women who provided medical services were of low status due to the fact that “the actions of Babylonian women were dominated by men.” It was improper for a woman to care for an unrelated man. (Outline of Nursing History, Pg 46) At approximately 250 B. C.
, the first nursing school was established in India, which only considered men as ‘pure’ enough to become nurses. By 500 B. C. , the Hellenic civilization developed a thirst for knowledge and truth. The belief that illness was caused by evil spirits began to decrease and they founded temples suitable for rest and restoration which resembled much like our health centers / hospitals of today, in that it contained spas, mineral springs, baths, gyms, and treatment and consultation rooms. It was not until 460 B.
C. that a “brilliant, progressive physician and teacher” (Outline of Nursing History, Pg 46) named Hippocrates rejected the belief that demons or evil spirits were the cause of illness and disease. He performed physical assessments, observations, and record keeping for patient care. Due to this adoption of new system, he became known as the “Father of Medicine.” During the “dark ages of nursing” (year 1600 to mid nineteenth century), nurses were little more than a “ward maid.” They were ill fed, over worked, and mistreated – no one would take the work unless they couldn’t get anything else to do. In the mid 1800’s Florence Nightingale, a pioneer who changed the standards of nursing worked in the Crimean War as the Superintendent of Female Nurses in the hospitals of the East.
In 1860, the Nightingale Training School opened as a result of the war. During the late 1800’s, The Queen’s Jubilee Institute established Public Health Nursing. This was a way of organized visiting nursing for all forms. Its functions were to train district-nursing associations and to supervise the county and district nursing associations. It was not until the mid nineteenth century that nurses were educated with formal training. In 1902, The Midwives Act set up a registration for midwives.
In 1919, the Nurses Registration Act set up the General Nursing Council which kept a register for nurses to make sure they were properly trained. In 1943, they established a roll for assistant nurses due to shortage of nurses. In 1930, registered nurses added to the flight crew and were able to care for sick passengers. They were later known as “stewardesses.” They were not allowed to marry due to complaints of husbands and were under strict control. During 1960’s until the 1980’s, these issues were addressed and the policy has changed. Nursing, once regarded as a degrading occupation, still continues to be an “art.” Through time it has evolved.
Nurses are not only seen in the traditional hospitals and related institutions. Nursing has evolved into education, Army Corps, Air Force Corps, Navy Corps, into United States Public Health Services, in Psychiatry, and so on. Vast amounts of opportunities have produced in the occupational field of Nursing. Nursing involves the “application of knowledge and skills related to basic social science, physical sciences, bio behavioral sciences, ethics, contemporary issues, and nursing knowledge.” (Fundamentals of Nursing, Pg 87) The ideal nurse is inspired by love and her sympathies are broad and universal. Reference Christensen, B. L.
, RN, MS (1991) Foundations of Nursing St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book, Inc. Goodman, M. (1938) Outlines of Nursing History 6 th Edition Philadelphia, London: W. B. Saunders Company Perry, A.
G. , RN, MSN, EdD, Potter, Patricia A. , RN, MSN, PhD (Cand. ), C MAC, (2001) Fundamentals of Nursing 5 th Edition St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, Inc.