Foundations of Nursing Essay
Over the last two centuries, nursing has been constantly redesigned and developed into what we call now as modern nursing. It has been enhanced every period of time through education and scientific breakthroughs. It has evolved into a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, enhanced both by theory and constant research. In this essay, the history and development of nursing over the last two hundred years shall be addressed, followed by a discussion on the factors that led to the development of nursing into a profession governed by legislation and bound by ethics and standards of practice, with inclusions on the criteria of a profession and how they relate to nursing.
As an activity that provides help to the ill, to children, and to babies, nursing has existed since the earliest times. From the middle of the 18th century to the 19th century, social reforms changed the roles of nurses and of women in general. It was during this that nursing as we know now began based on the beliefs of Florence Nightingale. Nursing was provided by women who were expected to carry out the housework of the hospital, wash the laundry, and do all the cleaning for very little reward (Dempsey, French, Hillege and Wilson, 2009, p. 167). The era of reform in nursing is marked by the work of the British nurse, Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War. Nightingale’s efforts made nursing a respectable vocation once again (Daniels, 2004, p. 9). However, Nightingale’s reform activities did not stop at responsibility. Besides crusading for cleanliness and comfort in hospitals, Nightingale also worked toward educating the public regarding health measures. She believed in prevention and in nursing the whole person (White, 2005). Nightingale viewed health as significant for nursing practice (Beck, 2006, p. 481). It was also because of the Nightingale tradition that Australian nursing was established (Condon, 2000, p. 110). Among her many other accomplishments was the
As an activity that provides help to the ill, to children, and to babies, nursing has existed since the earliest times. From the middle of the 18th century to the 19th century, social reforms changed the roles of nurses and of women in general. It was during this that nursing as we know now began based on the beliefs of Florence Nightingale. Nursing was provided by women who were expected to carry out the housework of the hospital, wash the laundry, and do all the cleaning for very little reward (Dempsey, French, Hillege and Wilson, 2009, p. 167). The era of reform in nursing is marked by the work of the British nurse, Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War. Nightingale’s efforts made nursing a respectable vocation once again (Daniels, 2004, p. 9). However, Nightingale’s reform activities did not stop at responsibility. Besides crusading for cleanliness and comfort in hospitals, Nightingale also worked toward educating the public regarding health measures. She believed in prevention and in nursing the whole person (White, 2005). Nightingale viewed health as significant for nursing practice (Beck, 2006, p. 481). It was also because of the Nightingale tradition that Australian nursing was established (Condon, 2000, p. 110). Among her many other accomplishments was the
References: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency: Legislation, Retrieved May 5, 2011 from: Retrieved May 5, 2011 from: http://www.anmac.org.au/userfiles/file/New%20Code%20of%20Professional %20Conduct%20for%20Nurses%20August%202008(1).pdf Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council: The Registered Nurse, Retrieved May 4, 2011 from: http://www.australia-migration.com/page/Nurses_ANC/257 Blais, K., Hayes J., Kozier, B., Erb, G. (2006). Professional Nursing Practice, Concepts and Perspectives, (5th ed.) New Jersey, Pearson Education, Inc. Catalano, J Retrieved April 20, 2011 from: http://books.google.com.au/books?id=g2eqHcnm1W4C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Dempsey, J., French, J., Hillege, S., Wilson, V. (2009). Fundamentals of Nursing and Midwifery: A Person Centered Approach to Care. NSW: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Lenburg, C. (2008), The Influence of Contemporary Trends and Issues on Nursing Education In B. Cherry and S. Jacob, Contemporary Nursing, Issues, Trends and Management (p. 43-70) (4th ed.) St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier, Inc. Lumby, D. (2000). Theory Generation Through Reflective Practice In J. Greenwood, Nursing Theory in Australia, Development and Application (p. 330-348), (2nd ed.) NSW: Pearson Education Australia Pty Limited. Schwirian, P (1998). Professionalization of Nursing: Current Issues and Trends, Philadelphia: PA, Lippincott-Raven Publishers. Twomey, J. (2006) The Role of Codes of Ethics in Nursing’s Disciplinary Knowledge in L. Andrist, P. Nicholas and K. Wolf, A History of Nursing Ideas (p. 435-459). Canada: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc. White, L (2005). Foundations of Nursing, (2nd ed.) Retrieved April 26, 2011 from: http://books.google.com.au/books?id=P3mvyzIEJ3IC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false) White, L (2001) Retrieved April 26, 2011 from: http://books.google.com.au/books?id=-WP4y6Ve3eMC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false