...Having and understanding of the history of nursing allows us to fully understanding the restrictions and problems effecting us in present day. This article highlights the importance of having a solid foundation in which to build understanding and skill. It shows us that we will be enabled to fully understand a number of restrictions or struggles places on nurses. For example, pay, regulation, staff shortages etc. It shows us that when we have a solid understanding of why, how and where we originated from, we will be able to fully appreciate the importance of our role within the health care system. The article also discusses how knowledge of our professions history can guide and direct future decision/implementations for improvement. BRODIE, B., 2010. History of Nursing: Early Years. 2008. Insight Media/History of Nursing: The Development of a Profession. 2008. Insight Media. Nursing History Review, 18, pp. 204-207. Understanding where our profession has come from and the struggles that were faced, whether it be lack of education and training, facilities, personnel or understanding will enable us as students and next generation nurses to drive change in our profession based on past experiences for the betterment of our profession and the students who follow. There has been substantial growth in the innovation of our profession and there have been advanced nursing programs established due to the 'increasing complexities of modern nursing'. The turn of the twentieth century...
Words: 462 - Pages: 2
...Knowing the history or origin of things is important regardless the subject matter. We all want to know how things came about; this applies to nursing as well. It’s important to study the history of nursing because it certainly influences current nursing practice. It’s humbling to know how far nursing has evolved and the men and women who made that evolution possible. It’s important to celebrate these men and women and never forget their contribution to this wonderful profession. Can you imagine if Florence Nightingale had never implemented sanitary conditions in hospitals or advocated for the organization and advancement of nursing education? What about Mildred Montag who created the two year associate degree which most nurses carry today including those of us here who are trying to get our BSN. What if Dorothea Dix had never recognized the plight of the sick, the mentally ill and so forth? I think to move forward it is always wise to know where we came from; hence that’s why we study our history. The first trend that has influenced my nursing perspective is education. It is clear that even back then nursing education was in the forefront and was deemed most important by a number of these nurse leaders – Florence Nightingale, Linda Richards – first person to obtain diploma in nursing in the US, Mary Mahoney – First professional black nurse to complete 16 month program to obtain her nursing etc. so education is key today as it was back then as evidenced by nurses going...
Words: 534 - Pages: 3
...Historical Development of Nursing Timeline Abstract This paper discusses a timeline of the development of nursing science history starting with Florence Nightingale to present times. Significant historical events to include dates which have enhanced the field of nursing will be discussed. Relationship between nursing science and the profession will be discussed. Influence on nursing science of other disciplines, such as philosophy, religion, education, anthropology, the social sciences, and psychology will also be included. Florence Nightingale and Nursing Timeline Florence Nightingale worked to improve the conditions of soldiers in the Crimean War (1854), and is known for laying the foundation for professional. Statistical charts and graphs were utilized by Florence Nightingale for the support of her theory as the first nursing theory. For example, her theory related to a positive, clean environment. In 1859, Florence Nightingale published a small book called Notes on Nursing, relating to how to take care of babies (Florence Nightingale). Florence Nightingale was responsible for providing a new image for female nurses as a profession. She opened the Nightingale School of Nursing, the first formal nurse training program. For example, the Nightingale Training School was opened in 1860, and modern nursing was created (Florence Nightingale). She also reformed midwife practices and established a health visitor service in Britain. Timeline: 1860- Florence Nightingale: Manipulating...
Words: 767 - Pages: 4
...comprehend the subject in its entirety. Knowledge of medical research from the past is a necessity for any form of medical advancement that may take place in the present. In the class lecture it was stated that “by understanding the history and foundation of nursing nurses can develop a sense of professional identity and build a better future for the profession and the people they serve.” While reviewing the “Nursing Timeline of Historical Events,” I discovered multiple nursing trends. The first being, for a large portion of history, the nursing profession was dominated by individuals without any formal training, and they were often uneducated. The second trend I noticed involved their attire; nurses often wore a nurse’s cap, used to keep hair away from the patients, and maintain a sanitary environment. The last trend noticed, was the Vow of Hospitality, originating from Saint Jeanne Jugan. In many ways these trends have largely influenced not only my perspective on the nursing practice but nursing as a whole. I have come to understand the importance of the many years of formal training in school that is required to enter the nursing profession. As for the nursing caps, in many maternity wards, nurses still wear them today. Lastly, being that the nursing profession is such a humble profession, many nurses themselves tend to be hospitable in nature, in a way Saint Jeanne Jugan’s vow of hospitality, still plays a major role in...
Words: 258 - Pages: 2
...How Does Knowledge of the Foundations and History of Nursing Provide a Context in Which to Understand Current Practice? Identify at Least Three Trends in Nursing Practice. How Have These Trends Influenced Your Perspective of Nursing Practice? In answering the above question, my thought immediate goes to, “You don’t know where you’re going unless you know where you’ve been or come from.” “The American Association for the History of Nursing (AAHN) is a professional organization open to everyone interested in the history of nursing. The purpose of the Association shall be to foster the importance of history as relevant to understanding the past, defining the present, and influencing the future of nursing.” [ (About AAHN, 2007) ] The history of nursing and knowledge of foundations allows us an opportunity to ask why & then obtain answer(s) for current practices via documented evidence. This knowledge propels an individual from a level of ignorance to a focused level of education. Awareness of historical practices and events better assists us in understanding the why’s within this profession, we call registered nurse. Having knowledge of the foundations and history of nursing helps nursing practice today because it shows not only how far we have come in healthcare and nursing but also how important education has been and still is for nurses. Looking back on history and research of practices help us understand why we do some of the things we do today as nurses such as...
Words: 508 - Pages: 3
...History of Nursing Worksheet NUR433 April 23, 2012 University of Phoenix Material History of Nursing Research Worksheet There have been many influential publications, agencies, and people in the field of nursing research. Write 1–3 sentences in each cell of the table below to describe the importance, goal, or influence of each item. |Publications |First publication date and importance: | |Nursing Research |First published: Nursing Research was first published in 1952. | | |Importance: As clinical research started to expand and specialty | | |groups started to form within nursing practice, this journal was the| | |first research journal published (Burns & Grove, 2011). | |Sigma Theta Tau Journal published by this organization is |First published: As clinical studies started to become more | |now called Image—The Journal of Nursing Scholarship |available, Sigma Theta Tau, the national honor society for nurses, | | |first published Image in 1967, the name was changed to The Journal | | |of Nursing Scholarship and...
Words: 1252 - Pages: 6
...It is important to know the basis of our roles in nursing as practiced today. Knowing our history and the foundations we stand on, promote forward thinking with regards to perfecting our practice. Three trends that stand out in our history are community health organization, reformation of sanitation and prevention of infection, and the need for formalized education and registration of professional nurses. Organizing community health is best seen by the works of St. Vincent DePaul and the Daughter's of Charity. Organization of nurses to aid in the Civil War was monumental in establishing our stance in society. Hannefin, D. (1989). "Daughters of the church: A popular history of the daughters of charity in the united states 1809-1987" . (Book 17 ed.). Brooklyn, NY: Vincentian Digital Books. Retrieved from http://via.library.depaul.edu/vincentian_ebooks/17 The American Red Cross also changed the direction of community awareness when it came to health and the role of community partnership to assist those in need. Thus, driving the pull of working together. Florence Nightingale headlined the reformation of sanitation within hospitals and communities. She started the movement of preventing the spread of disease. One could venture that her efforts started the idea of evidence based practice. Woodham-Smith, C. (1950). Florence Nightingale. London, England: The Reprint Society. She was an early researcher. Her connections of mortality rates and sanitary conditions mapped...
Words: 392 - Pages: 2
...Material History of Nursing Research Worksheet There have been many influential publications, agencies, and people in the field of nursing research. Write 1–3 sentences in each cell of the table below to describe the importance, goal, or influence of each item. |Publications |First publication date and importance: | |Nursing Research |Firstpublished:1952 | | |Importance: To be available to all nurses no matter where they were | | |and to provide opportunity to improve service and administrative | | |practices that are important to patient care. (Burns & Grove, 2006)| |Sigma Theta Tau Journal published by this organization is |First published: 1967 | |now called Image—The Journal of Nursing Scholarship |Importance: Their mission is to improve knowledge and improve the | | |health of the people. Also they provide scholarly works in different| | |medical fields. (Burns & Grove, 2006) | |Research in Nursing and Health ...
Words: 605 - Pages: 3
...Before anyone embarks or study nursing, one should first of all understand the Genesis of the nursing profession. In the year 1860, a young woman by the name of Florence Nightingale became a pioneer of the nursing profession. She was popularly referred to as the“lady with the lamp” and the “queen of the nurses”. She dedicated most of her life to this chosen carrier to care for the sick and the wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. Her ideas led to the introduction of apprentice model which was an avenue for people to learn skilled nursing. She selected those with upstanding character as potential nurses; she improved the sanitary conditions within patients’ environments, and advocating that nursing education be a life- long process. She was also the found of Florence Nightingale school of nursing at St. Thomas Hospital in London where student learn about the care and important of good hygiene and sanitary condition. Many nursing leaders such as Dorothy Dix, Clare Bartan, Harriet Tubman, Lillian Wald, etc, played a major role in shaping the nursing profession ( Creasian and Freiberg, 2001). One of the most valuable trends that have influenced my nursing practice is nursing advocacy. Florence Nightingale utilized her most outstanding advocacy skills to promote nursing and prove that it is an integral component of health care. Today I use my advocacy skills in many forms. To implement patient’s safety to prevent fall, when a patient needs my help to understand the plan of...
Words: 403 - Pages: 2
...History of Community Nursing Matrix Past Period 1: Historical Time Period: Colonial period in America was “characterized by human existence” described by Stanhope & Lancaster (2012, p23). Nursing Role in Community: Caring for the infirmed was undertaken by the female head of the house, which meant there was no formal training caring for sick members of the household. It was also the responsibility of the female head of the household to grow and gather herbs used for healing. Major Health Issues: Yellow fever, small pox, cholera, typhoid, typhus, TB, and malaria. Poor sanitation systems, and poor control over communicable disease that entered the country through seaports made it difficult to organize and support any public health effort that could curtail the spread of sickness (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). Partnerships Used: The colonist relied on British traditions to establish a system of caring for the sick. The Elizabeth Poor Laws “guaranteed medical care for the poor, blind, and lame. Each county or township was responsible to care for their residents” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012, p.24). As time evolved and the American Revolution was over, the public began to understand and support the need for government sponsored boards of health and they were established. The sponsored boards collected vital statisitics, sanitation improvements, and control of communicable diseases (Stanhope &Lancaster, 2012). During the colonial period, it seemed as...
Words: 947 - Pages: 4
...Learning about the history and foundations of nursing helps understand current practice as it sheds light on the evolution of these practices. We know that there are rights for any color human being. That is a current practice. The history of which lies in the past when Mary Mahoney, Mabel Staupers and many others worked very hard to get this right. The knowledge helps nurses today identify with their profession and appreciate the efforts done in the past. Looking at the history of nursing prior to 1800, the trend was for men to care of the sick and the wounded. It seems that in later years women took over. Currently we see men and women choosing nursing as their profession. This is an interesting trend as it has roots in the past. The uniforms in the past were very different than today. We don't see very many colors in the past then what we see today. This change in the trend is very welcoming as nurses now can choose to wear what color they would like. Although some hospitals require a particular color to be worn, most work places are liberal as long as they are scrubs. The head cover changed to a cap and then got completely lost somewhere between the 1970s to 1980s. The scrubs are so comfortable that I have seen people wear them even though they don't work in health care. The technology has also evolved immensely. Looking at the tools in the timeline it is obvious how refined the instruments have become. It also is appreciable how the awareness of the need of those tools...
Words: 288 - Pages: 2
...History of Nursing Research Worksheet There have been many influential publications, agencies, and people in the field of nursing research. Write 1–3 sentences in each cell of the table below to describe the importance, goal, or influence of each item. Publications | First publication date and importance: | Nursing Research | First published: 1952Importance: The American Nurses Association conducted the research. It provided the basis for standards used in current nursing practice. ( Burns and Grove, 2011) | Sigma Theta Tau Journal published by this organization is now called Image—The Journal of Nursing Scholarship | First published: 1967Importance: contains peer-reviewed, thought-provoking articles representing research by some of the world’s leading nurse researchers. (Sigma Theta Tau International, 2015). | Research in Nursing and Health | First published: 1978Importance: it is a peer reviewed journal that looks at the nursing practice as well as other numerous health disciplines (Wiley Online Library, 2014). | Western Journal of Nursing Research | First published: 1979Importance: “Western Journal of Nursing Research (WJNR) is a peer-reviewed journal published ten times a year providing an innovative forum for nurse researchers, students and clinical practitioners to participate in ongoing scholarly debate. WJNR offers clinical research reports broadened by commentaries and authors' responses (Sage Publications, 2015). | Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing Practice...
Words: 670 - Pages: 3
...foundations and history of nursing helps nursing practice today because it shows not only how far we have come in healthcare and nursing but also how important education has been and still is for nurses. Looking back on history and research of practices help us understand why we do some of the things we do today as nurses such as something as simple as washing our hands. It is also amazing how far medical technology has come. Three trends in nursing practice: 1. The training and education as well as the quality of care was “rudimentary” prior to the 1800’s. whereas today it is quite the opposite. Standards of care, policies and procedures, and regulations is a big part of the nursing field today. We now have many nursing associations in many different areas of nursing as well as required continuing education according the state practiced in and education (ADN, BSN, and/or MSN) and licensure is required. 2. Nursing was a job for the “undesirables” in society, the pay was poor, and there was no social standing. Due to early nursing figures, nursing gained the respect from the military and government. Education became a necessity in nursing, nursing associations developed standards of care and regulations and now nurse licensure is required. Today nursing is a highly respected and one of the well paid careers out there. 3. The nursing uniform has come a long way. From the nursing cap (i.e. handkerchief cap to the muffin cap). Once education became a big part of nursing, nursing...
Words: 422 - Pages: 2
...The history of Nursing Science Theresa Nwaoha-Ezekwo NUR/13 October 25, 2012 Pam Monroe Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory While the history of nursing can be traced back to the early first and second centuries, or even earlier, the study of nursing research and theories is a 20th and 21st century phenomena. The act of nursing is rooted in the Greco-Roman tradition of humanista, which core values are respect for the dignity of person, and the right to be free of pain and suffering; and the Judaic – Christian tradition of Caritas, with core values of solidarity with the sick, hungry, homeless, and hopeless (Evers, 2003). Coming from this line of thought it is not surprising that Florence Nightingale as a professed Christian chose to care and advocate for the sick and poor. The study and history of professional nursing science, research, and theories although a late 20th and 21st century phenomena, is said to begin with Florence Nightingale. Her use of mathematical and statistical data to show the relevance of her findings; that environmental factors can, and do influence patient’s rate of recovery was the beginning of nursing research and science as it is known today. One could almost imply that Nightingale knew that outcome measures needed to be “relevant, and address both the constant and variable components in order to determine effectiveness of an outcome” (Blackwood, 2006). Over the past centuries, Nursing as an independent science has emerged...
Words: 1042 - Pages: 5
...Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory While the history of nursing can be traced back to the early first and second centuries, or even earlier, the study of nursing research and theories is a 20th and 21st century phenomena. The act of nursing is rooted in the Greco-Roman tradition of humanista, which core values are respect for the dignity of person, and the right to be free of pain and suffering; and the Judaic – Christian tradition of Caritas, with core values of solidarity with the sick, hungry, homeless, and hopeless (Evers, 2003). Coming from this line of thought it is not surprising that Florence Nightingale as a professed Christian chose to care and advocate for the sick and poor. The study and history of professional nursing science, research, and theories although a late 20th and 21st century phenomena, is said to begin with Florence Nightingale. Her use of mathematical and statistical data to show the relevance of her findings; that environmental factors can, and do influence patient’s rate of recovery was the beginning of nursing research and science as it is known today. One could almost imply that Nightingale knew that outcome measures needed to be “relevant, and address both the constant and variable components in order to determine effectiveness of an outcome” (Blackwood, 2006). Over the past centuries, Nursing as an independent science has emerged as a rich culture of theoretical perspectives and frame-works that have impacted the profession...
Words: 292 - Pages: 2