What Is Nursing?

Nursing is universal in the sense that nurses can be found almost in all countries around the world (Henderson, 1978). They are in the hospitals, in school clinics, in the community centres, residential homes and even play major roles in some of the popular soap operas in television. There are even television shows that mainly revolve around nurses and which chronicles what they do at work - both the positive and the negative. It is one of the most visible and easily identifiable occupations as compared for example to other occupations such as engineers, managers or even pharmacists, medical technologists and other health related occupations. This is partly because of what nurses do and most especially how nurses look - with some still donning white uniforms with matching caps similar to what nurses in the Florence Nightingale era were wearing.

Despite its universality, it is ironic to note that nursing is viewed differently by people around the world depending on their location, their social status, their previous experience or contact with nurses (Henderson, 1978). In fact, even different governments of the world have differing views of what nursing is as evidenced by the different laws, qualifications, roles and responsibilities and definitions governing the practice of nursing, like for example nursing practice has huge difference in the United Kingdom and the United States (Henderson, 1978).

The purpose of this essay is to discuss some of these nursing issues. Specifically, discussion will be made on the different definitions of nursing from the Florence Nightingale’s period up to its modern definition from the point of view of different authors. In addition, discussion will be made on the diversity of roles and functions of nurses and the several issues put forward in the discussion whether nursing can be considered as a profession.

Is it really necessary to define nursing? After all, Florence Nightingale (1860) herself who is considered the