Nursing: Definition and History

Study Notes

Nursing encompasses promoting, maintaining, and restoring health, preventing illness and injury, and alleviating human suffering.
Nurses provide care for individuals, families, groups, and communities, regardless of health status or setting.
The aim of nursing is to help individuals achieve independence in their health, whether that involves preventing illness, coping with disability, or peacefully transitioning to death.
Nurses use knowledge, skills, and critical thinking to deliver care in a variety of traditional and expanding nursing roles.
The foundation of nursing is rooted in caring, helping, and a holistic client-centered approach.

Early nurses learned from religious institutions without formalized education or standards.
Florence Nightingale established independent nursing schools in 1873, emphasizing critical thinking, individualized care, and patient rights.
In the early 1900s, hospitals utilized nursing students as inexpensive labor, and most graduate nurses worked privately in homes.
After World War II, technological advancements led to increased specialization in hospital care and a demand for experienced nurses.
The development of intensive and coronary care units in the 1950s spurred the growth of specialty nursing and advanced practice nurses.
The 1960s saw a shift towards health promotion and disease prevention, leading to the emergence of the Nurse Practitioner role in the United States.

Change Agent: Nurses act as change agents in healthcare, actively advocating for patient needs and quality improvements.
Caregiver: The core of nursing is providing direct, compassionate care to patients, addressing their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Researcher: Nurses conduct research to improve nursing practices and patient outcomes.
Advocate: Nurses champion patients' rights and ensure they receive appropriate care while navigating the complex healthcare system.
Educator: Nurses teach patients and families on health topics, disease prevention, and self-management techniques.
Manager: Nurses manage healthcare resources effectively and efficiently, leading teams, and optimizing patient care processes.
Leader: Nurses set the standard for ethical and compassionate care, inspiring others and shaping the future of healthcare.
Communicator: Nurses effectively communicate with patients, families, healthcare teams, and the public.
Case Manager: Nurses manage care plans and ensure continuity of care for patients across different settings.

Good physical and mental health: Essential for providing safe and effective care.
Open-minded, cooperative, and responsible: Attributes that facilitate collaboration and patient-centered care.
Strong interpersonal skills: Crucial for building trusting relationships with patients and families.
Positive attitudes: Nurturing a positive and supportive environment enhances patient well-being.
Confidence in oneself and others: Essential for effective decision-making and leadership.
Cleanliness and neatness: Demonstrating professionalism and contributing to a safe healthcare environment.
Intelligence and critical thinking skills: Enabling informed decision-making and problem-solving.
Leadership ability: Guiding and motivating others towards achieving optimal patient outcomes.

A profession requires extensive education, specialized knowledge, skills, and rigorous preparation.
A profession often involves a calling or a sense of dedication beyond simply earning a living.
An occupation may require training, but not necessarily the same level of education or specialized knowledge as a profession.
Nursing meets the criteria for a profession, demanding significant education, training, and a commitment to serving others.

Patient: The recipient of care.
Suffering: The experience of pain, distress, or discomfort.
Holistic: Considering the whole person, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.
Client-centered: Tailoring care to meet the individual needs of the patient.