History of Nursing

The first known documents that mention nursing as a profession were written approximately around 300AD. During this period, the Roman Empire strove to build a hospital in every city under its rule, which created a greater demand for nurses in medical care.

During the 10th and 11th centuries, the nursing profession expanded due to changes of government in Europe. Hospitals were incorporated as a part of monasteries and other religious sites, and nurses provided a variety of medical as required that went beyond traditional medical care. This comprehensive model gained popularity and is still responsible for the many different tasks that a nurse is responsible for today.

Florence Nightingale was a nurse who helped injured soldiers during the Crimean war and changed around the whole perspective of nursing playing a significant role in the 19th century. During this time, the role of nurses expanded due to the need for their presence during the war, where poor hygiene standards cause fatal infections around the wounds. She campaigned to improve hygiene standards at the hospital for the soldiers, which in return reducing the number of deaths from those infections.

The profession of nursing was first opened in with its very first nursing school in London during the 19th century. This resulted many more openings of nursing schools that provided appropriate training and education about nursing before they began practice on the field.

Gradually, the need for nurses grew with the world wars in 20th century where they were needed even though they didn’t get adequate training. Since, this time, education institutions for nurses have continued to expand.