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Florence Nightingale

History of Nursing

Notes on nursing: what it is, and what i... (by Nightingale, Florence)
General Washington (by Bradley Tyler Johnson)
Florence Nightingale, The Angel of the C... (by Richards, Laura Elizabeth Howe)
Fiery Angel : The Story of Florence Nigh... (by Barth, Ramona Jeanette Sawyer)
Florence Nightingale to Her Nurses; A Se... (by Nightingale, Florence)

Due to many changes in recent years in health care, nursing, and technology, nursing curriculums have changed. Although the history of nursing was included in most nursing programs of the past, Daily Nurse cites that there’s little opportunity to include this important topic in today’s studies. Many of today’s programs only provide a brief overview of the history of nursing.

Historical records reveal that nurses have tended to the ill since ancient times and their roles have evolved from informal caregivers to untrained nurses to the professionally trained nurses we’re familiar with today.

Although the origins of nursing predate the mid-19th century, the history of professional nursing begins with Florence Nightingale. The well-educated daughter of wealthy British parents, she defied social conventions to fulfill her calling to become a nurse.

Nightingale became well known during the Crimean War (1850s) when she and a team of nurses improved the unsanitary conditions at a British base hospital. Their actions greatly reduced the death count. During the war, Nightingale earned the byname, “Lady with the Lamp” after attending to the wounded during her nightly rounds. Her writings, such as Notes on Nursing: What It is, and What It Is Not, sparked worldwide health care reform. In 1860, Nightingale established St. Thomas’ Hospital and the Nightingale Training School for Nurses, the world’s first secular nursing school. She was also instrumental in setting up training for midwives and nurses in workhouse infirmaries.

Nightingale was the first woman to be awarded the Order of Merit in 1907. International Nurses Day, observed annually on May 12, commemorates her birthday and celebrates the significant role of nurses in health care.

Nursing history began with Phoebe, mentioned in Romans 16:1 and evolved from there. Some civilizations used slaves, the poor, or fallen women to serve as nurses. From the 1st to 14th centuries nursing care was provided by unskilled men and women. During the Revolutionary War, General Washington ordered many women to serve as nurses to wounded soldiers.

Nurse training schools became more formalized after Florence Nightingale opened her first school of nursing, leading to rapid growth of nursing schools throughout the 20th century.

Beginning in the 1950s, nurses sought to develop their own body of knowledge. They initially borrowed from other medical disciplines and eventually developed and tested their own theories.

For more on Florence Nightingale, read Florence Nightingale, The Angel of the Crimea by Laura E. Richards; Fiery Angel: The Story of Florence Nightingale by Ramona Sawyer Barth; and Florence Nightingale to Her Nurses; A Selection from Miss Nightingale’s Addresses to Probationers and Nurses of the Nightingale School at St. Thomas's Hospital by Florence Nightingale.

By Regina Molaro