Fundamentals Of Nursing: Introduction To Nursing

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Development of Nursing in Early Civilizations

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Most early civilizations believed that illness had supernatural causes. The theory of animism attempted to explain the cause of mysterious changes in bodily functions. This theory was based on the belief that everything in nature was alive with invisible forces and endowed with power. Good spirits brought health; evil spirits brought sickness and death. The roles of the physician and the nurse were separate and distinct. The physician was the medicine man who treated disease by chanting, inspiring fear, or opening the skull to release evil spirits (Dolan, Fitzpatrick, & Herrmann, 1983). The nurse usually was the mother who cared for her family during sickness by providing physical care and herbal remedies. This nurturing and caring role of the nurse has continued to the present

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Development of Nursing from 1st to 13th centuries

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As civilizations grew, temples became the centers of medical care because of the belief that illness was caused by sin and the gods' displeasure (ie, disease literally means “dis-ease”). Priests were highly regarded as physicians, but neither human life nor women were valued by society. In some societies, the nurse was viewed as a slave, carrying out menial tasks based on the orders of the priest-physician. During the same period, the ancient Hebrews developed rules through the Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Health Code for ethical human relationships, mental health, and disease control. Nurses cared for sick people in the home and the community and also practiced as nurse-midwives

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Development of Nursing from the 16th to 19th Centuries

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Western societies changed from having a religious orientation to emphasizing warfare, exploration, and expansion of knowledge. Many monasteries and convents closed, leading to a tremendous shortage of people to care for the sick. To meet this need, women who had committed crimes were recruited into nursing in lieu of serving jail sentences. In addition to having a poor reputation, nurses received low pay and worked long hours in unfavorable conditions

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Development of Nursing from the 19th to 21st Centuries

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Schools of nursing, founded in connection with hospitals, were established on the beliefs of Nightingale, but the training they provided was based more on apprenticeship than on educational principles. Hospitals saw an economic advantage in having their own schools, and most hospital schools were organized to provide more easily controlled and less expensive staff for

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Florence Nightingale

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Defined nursing as both an art and a science, differentiated nursing from medicine, created free-standing nursing education; published books about nursing and healthcare; is regarded as the founder of modern nursing (see text for further information)

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Clara Barton

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Volunteered to care for wounds and feed Union soldiers during the Civil War; served as the supervisor of nurses for the Army of the James, organizing hospitals and nurses; established the Red Cross in the United States in 1882

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Nurse Practice Acts and Licensure

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Nurse practice acts are laws established in each state in the United States to regulate the practice of nursing. They are broadly worded and vary among states, but all of them have certain elements in common, such as the following:
Protect the public by defining the legal scope of nursing practice, excluding untrained or unlicensed people from practicing nursing
Create a state board of nursing or regulatory body having the authority to make and enforce rules and regulations concerning the nursing profession
Define important terms and activities in nursing, including legal requirements and titles for RNs and LPNs
Establish criteria for the education and licensure of nurses

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Definitions of Nursing

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Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled, and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles.

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Aims of Nursing
Four broad aims of nursing practice can be identified in the definitions of nursing:

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To promote health
To prevent illness
To restore health
To facilitate coping with disability or death

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NSNA

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The NSNA is the national organization for student nurses. Established in 1952 with the assistance of the ANA and NLN, its members are students enrolled in nursing education programs. Through voluntary participation, students practice self-governance, advocate for student and patient rights, and take collective, responsible action on social and political issues.

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AACN

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The AACN is the national voice for baccalaureate and higher degree nursing education programs. The organization's goals focus on establishing quality educational standards; influencing the nursing profession to improve healthcare; and promoting public support of baccalaureate and graduate education, research, and nursing practice. National accreditation for collegiate nursing programs is provided (based on meeting standards) through AACN by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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NLN

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The NLN is an organization open to all people interested in nursing, including nurses, nonnurses, and agencies. Established in 1952, its objective is to foster the development and improvement of all nursing services and nursing education. The NLN conducts one of the largest professional testing services in the United States, including pre-entrance testing for potential students and achievement testing to measure student progress. It also serves as the primary source of research data about nursing education, conducting annual surveys of schools and new RNs. The organization also provides voluntary accreditation for educational programs in nursing.

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ANA

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The ANA is the professional organization for RNs in the United States. Founded in the late 1800s, its membership is comprised of the state nurses' associations to which individual nurses belong. The ANA establishes standards of practice, encourages research to advance nursing practice, and represents nursing for legislative actions.

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International Nursing Organization

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The International Council of Nurses (ICN), founded in 1899, was the first international organization of professional women. By sharing a commitment to maintaining high standards of nursing service and nursing education and by promoting ethics, the ICN provides a way for national nursing organizations to work together.

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National Nursing Organizations

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Professional nursing organizations in the United States include the American Nurses Association (ANA), the National League for Nursing (NLN), and the American Association of Colleges in Nursing (AACN). The National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) prepares students to participate in professional nursing organizations.