Men in Nursing
MEN AND THE PROFFESION OF NURSING
The following essay will look into the history of nursing; it will be looking at where men fit into nursing history and will draw upon some examples of men in the role of nursing it will then move forward to times where men began to disappear from the nursing role and reasons why. The effects that Florence Nightingale had to the changes of nursing will also be investigated. Caring as an art and the science in nursing will also be discussed and how men are perceived and finally how nurses contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community.
The Profession of nursing dates back to ancient times ‘many individuals provided what would now be considered nursing care to the sick. It is likely that this care was provided in the home, though we have few written records about this activity or about those who provided this care.’ (O’Lynn & Tranbarger, 2007 p9) ‘The first known trained individuals to provide nursing care were men who were supervised by male physicians during the Hippocratic period of ancient Greece.’ (O’Lynn cited christman, 1988b: Davis&Bartfay, 2001).
The nurses of early times were men not woman, as woman were seen as having duties in the home and there was much restriction in what woman were allowed to do.
In saying this, the actual role the men undertook has been related back to that of an ambulance nurse of today – and that woman were the ones to assist in the ongoing care of patients in the home.
The first known formal school of nursing was started in India about 250 B.C.E. only men were admitted to the school, as woman were not considered “pure” enough to serve in this role (O’Lynn cited Wilson 1997)
‘In the 3rd century B.C.E., King Asoka mandated that hospitals follow strict guidelines for cleanliness, ventilation, and comfort. The nurses working in these hospitals were almost always male.’ O’Lynn cited Nutting & Dock, 1935 Wilson, 1997). (Men’s stuff cited The Charaka Vol I, Section xv) states these
The following essay will look into the history of nursing; it will be looking at where men fit into nursing history and will draw upon some examples of men in the role of nursing it will then move forward to times where men began to disappear from the nursing role and reasons why. The effects that Florence Nightingale had to the changes of nursing will also be investigated. Caring as an art and the science in nursing will also be discussed and how men are perceived and finally how nurses contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community.
The Profession of nursing dates back to ancient times ‘many individuals provided what would now be considered nursing care to the sick. It is likely that this care was provided in the home, though we have few written records about this activity or about those who provided this care.’ (O’Lynn & Tranbarger, 2007 p9) ‘The first known trained individuals to provide nursing care were men who were supervised by male physicians during the Hippocratic period of ancient Greece.’ (O’Lynn cited christman, 1988b: Davis&Bartfay, 2001).
The nurses of early times were men not woman, as woman were seen as having duties in the home and there was much restriction in what woman were allowed to do.
In saying this, the actual role the men undertook has been related back to that of an ambulance nurse of today – and that woman were the ones to assist in the ongoing care of patients in the home.
The first known formal school of nursing was started in India about 250 B.C.E. only men were admitted to the school, as woman were not considered “pure” enough to serve in this role (O’Lynn cited Wilson 1997)
‘In the 3rd century B.C.E., King Asoka mandated that hospitals follow strict guidelines for cleanliness, ventilation, and comfort. The nurses working in these hospitals were almost always male.’ O’Lynn cited Nutting & Dock, 1935 Wilson, 1997). (Men’s stuff cited The Charaka Vol I, Section xv) states these