Exploring the Growth of Nursing as a Profession PDF

Exploring the growth of nursing as a profession  Introduction Nursing is the art and science of promoting, restoring, and maintaining the health of clients founded on a knowledge base supported by evidence-based theory. Nursing has developed into a scientific...

Exploring the growth of nursing as a profession  Introduction Nursing is the art and science of promoting, restoring, and maintaining the health of clients founded on a knowledge base supported by evidence-based theory. Nursing has developed into a scientific profession resulting in change from mystical beliefs to sophisticated technology and caring. Nursing uses caring behaviors, critical thinking skills, and scientific knowledge. Nursing promotes health and assists clients move to a higher level of wellness, including assistance during a terminal illness with the maintenance of comfort and dignity during the final stage of life.  Studying nursing history A basic knowledge about the history of nursing is necessary to understand what nursing is today. The study of nursing history helps the nurse to: 1. Understand how nursing developed and even suggest solutions to problems that face the profession today. 2. Understand the issues of autonomy, unity within the profession, education, supply and demand, salary, and current practice. 3. The major reason for studying history is to learn from the past. Learning from the role models of history, nurses can increase their capacity to make positive changes in the present and set goals for the future. By applying the lessons learned from history, nurses will continue to be a vital force in the health care system.  Historical Overview There is no particular date or time period when nursing came into being. Nursing may go back less than 150 years. The early origins of nursing, like those of medicine, are intertwined with the ancient civilizations and cultures of the world.  Health Care In Ancient Cultures The life of primitive societies and ancient cultures was a nomadic one. Health practices varied depending on the level of development of a society. Ritualistic ceremonies and worship of gods were common and various individuals in the culture assumed the role of healer. Sickness and suffering attributed to the presence of evil spirits  Health Care In Ancient Cultures Each primitive society had its own curative agents to deal with evil spirits such as performing noisy dances, making offerings and sacrifices, taboos, and working with medicine men who performed magic to drive away the demons. A sound theory of disease was absent from most early cultures. Ancient cultures developed medicine as a science and a profession, they showed little evidence of establishing a foundation for nursing.  Three heritages impeded the development of nursing as a profession Muriel Uprichard identifies three heritages from the past that impeded the development of nursing as a profession. 1. The folk image of the nurse brought forward from primitive times. 2. The religious image of the nurse inherited from the medieval period. 3. The servant image of the nurse created by the Protestant- capitalist ethic of the 16th to 19th century”. ‫الرأسمالية‬  The Folk Image of the Nurse Women have carried the major responsibility for nourishing and nurturing children, and caring for elderly and aging members of the family. Nurses were people who demonstrated a special interest in meeting the needs of those who were sick, injured, or bearing children. “Nurses” received their education largely through trial and error, by advancing those methods that appeared to be successful, and by sharing information.  The Folk Image of the Nurse Example: while planning a diet for the family, an astute woman would have noticed that eating certain foods resulted in episodes of diarrhea and vomiting, whereas eating other herbs, roots, and leaves had a soothing effect on the body. This folk image of the nurse emphasizes that the nurse is simply a caring person who uses ordinary common sense to help the sick person and seemed to place this responsibility on the women in the household.  The Religious Image of the Nurse The first continuity in the history of nursing began with Christianity. With the establishment of churches in the Christian era, groups were organized as orders whose primary concern was to care for the sick, the poor, orphans, widows, the aged, slaves , and prisoners. Limitations:  Nursing developed an image closely tied to religion and religious orders; strict discipline was expected.  Absolute attendance to the orders of persons of higher rank (e.G., Priests or physicians) was demanded.  The Religious Image of the Nurse This view of nursing as requiring a strict obedience, a sense of religious devotion, and setting aside of one’s own needs has also affected nursing. Nurses were thought to be so devoted to patients that worldly concerns such as salary and working conditions were of no consequence.  The Servant Image of the Nurse  The Renaissance and the Reformation (occurring from the 14th through the 16th centuries) followed the Middle Ages.  During the Renaissance, also known as the Age of Discovery, a new impetus was given to education, and, to some extent, to medical education.  During the Reformation, women were deemed subordinate to men and were no longer venerated by their churches, but encouraged toward charitable activities. Their role was defined within the confines of the home; their duties were those of bearing children and caring for the home.  Hospital care was relegated to uncommon women, a group comprising prisoners, prostitutes, and drunks.  The Servant Image of the Nurse Women faced with earning their own living were forced to work as domestic servants; although nursing was considered a domestic service, it was not a desirable one. The nurse was regarded as the most menial of servants. Pay was poor, the hours were long, and the work was strenuous. Nursing care was not subject to inspection and was not governed by standards. The same bed linen might be used for several patients, even though suppurating wounds were common. Thus began what may be called the “Dark Ages” of nursing.  The Servant Image of the Nurse This servant image remains in modern day health care, as some individuals treat nurses as maids and others are unwilling to enter nursing because of the image. In the first World War, the International Red Cross tried to combat this image and produced a recruiting poster with the image of a Red Cross nurse on the battlefield and the statement, “Neither a nanny, nor a maid; A professional nurse” written in three languages.  Industrial Revolution Industrial Revolution: This led to a proliferation of factories because the condition of workers, long hours, unsafe condition prevailed in the workplace. Royal college of surgeons in London and other medical schools were founded in 1800. In mid-1800s women be nurses, most nursing care was still performed in the home by female relatives of the ill.  Nursing as a profession  Emerged in late 19th century  Credit is given to Florence Nightingale “Mother of Modern Nursing”.  Born in 1820 and died in 1910.  Florence Nightingale accomplishments Demonstrated the value of nursing care in reducing morbidity rates in the Crimean War. She established cleanliness and sanitation rules. Patients received special diets and plenty of food. Improved water supply. Patients received proper nursing care. Nightingale established a reputation which allowed her to improve nursing standards at home. ‫حسنت السمعه‬  Florence Nightingale accomplishments Wrote textbooks on nursing. Wrote famous “Notes on Nursing”. Some of her ideas are still valid today. Nightingale established nursing school at St. Thomas’ Hospital, London upon return. By 1887, Nightingale had her nurses working in six countries and U.S. Nightingale was a nurse, philosopher, statistician, historian, politician and more. Today Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale accomplishments She introduced many other concepts that are still used today, although they were unique in her day. Nightingale recommended:  A systematic method of assessing clients.  Individualized care based on the client’s needs and preferences.  Confidentiality. Nightingales ‘7’ basic tenets were that: Nightingales ‘7’ basic tenets were that: 1. The content of nursing education must be defined by nurses. 2. Nurse educators are responsible for the nursing care provided by students and graduates of the nursing program. 3. Educators should be trained nurses themselves. 4. Nursing schools should be separate entities, not connected with physicians or hospitals. 5. Nurses should be prepared with advanced education and should engage in continuing education throughout their careers. 6. Nursing involves both sick nursing and healthy nursing and includes the environment as well as the patient (holism).( in health end welness) 7. Nursing must include theory  Nursing in the 20th century The beginning of the 20th century brought about changes that have greatly influenced contemporary nursing. Several landmark reports about medical and nursing education. Early insurance plans. Establishment of visiting nurse association and their use of protocols. Health care initiatives (health care services were provided to the elderly and the indigent populations through the federal programs of Medicare and Medicaid.  Nursing Pioneers and Leaders Linda Richards Linda Richards (1841–1930) was awarded the first diploma from an American school educating nurses. She established numerous hospital-based schools for nurses and introduced the practice of keeping nurses’ notes and physicians’ orders as part of medical records. She also instituted the practice of nurses’ wearing uniforms. She showed that educated nurses gave better care than nurses without formal nursing education.  Nursing Pioneers and Leaders Mary Mahoney Mary Mahoney (1845–1926) was America’s first African American professional nurse. She was a noted nursing leader who encouraged respect for cultural diversity.  Nursing Pioneers and Leaders Lillian Wald Lillian Wald (1867–1940) spent her life providing nursing care to poor people. She founded public health nursing, Wald was the first community health nurse and also established a school of nursing. As a tireless reformer, she worked to: ‫ال تمل‬ 1. Improve housing conditions in tenement districts. 2. Establish education for the mentally challenged.  Nursing In Islam Nursing holds a significant place in Islam, with a rich history and strong emphasis on caring for others. Historical Importance: Islam has a long tradition of nursing, dating back to the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) time. The first known Muslim nurse, Rufaida Al-Aslamia, set up a field hospital tent and even trained other women in nursing skills. Religious Importance: Caring for the sick and vulnerable is considered an act of worship in Islam. Many hadiths (sayings of the Prophet) emphasize the importance of visiting the sick and showing compassion.  Nursing In Islam Professional Practice: Islamic hospitals, established during the medieval era, were known for their advanced medical care and often had separate wards with nurses tending to patients of the same gender. Both men and women have historically been involved in nursing within Islamic societies. Modern Nursing: Nursing remains a respected profession for Muslims today. The emphasis on caring for others and upholding ethical principles aligns well with Islamic value