History of Nursing Assignment
The History of Nursing
Nursing has evolved from a simple household activity of caring for the sick and the vulnerable in society to a modern professional practice. In ancient cultures like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, nursing was conducted by members of the family or slaves, with the practice being based on religion and tradition.
In the Middle Ages, nursing was conducted by members of the clergy, specifically nuns, who cared for the sick in monasteries. The modern profession of nursing was initiated in the nineteenth century with the work of Florence Nightingale, who highlighted the importance of hygiene, observation, and training in the profession in the Crimean War. Since then, the profession of nursing has continued to evolve and expand with the development of modern science, education, and technology. In today’s world, it remains a vital profession in the delivery of healthcare services to patients and the vulnerable in society.
Florence Nightingale’s Contribution to Nursing
Nursing is the collaborative care of individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to improve their health outcomes and overall quality of life. Nurses work with patients in the entire continuum of life and play roles such as advocacy, innovation, and caregiving. Florence Nightingale, an English social reformer and statistician, contributed significantly to nursing practice by pioneering the concept of nursing education and influencing the teaching process (Shetty, 2016). In the year 1860, she opened the first nurses’ training institute in London. Nurses trained in Nightingale’s nursing school received practical teaching in specialized institutions. Therefore, Florence Nightingale was the pioneer of modern nursing education and practice.
Florence Nightingale’s healthcare service during the Crimean war that broke out in the year 1853 led to the development and adoption of care practices that are used in modern-day nursing. As a superintendent of a London hospital during the war, Nightingale introduced infection control and self-care methods to improve the welfare of wounded soldiers. To reduce hospital-acquired infections, she cleaned her hospital and demanded proper hygiene for the soldiers. Further, Nightingale promoted self-care by advising patients to perform simple tasks by themselves (“The Lady with The Lamp,” 2015). This, in her view, would enhance independence and promote healing. Therefore, Florence Nightingale contributed to the nursing profession by promoting self-care and proper hygiene in healthcare facilities.
Creation of a Hospice Program in the US
Hospice and palliative care were introduced in the US to facilitate the management of pain and the total needs of terminally-ill patients. The first US hospice facility was established in Branford, Connecticut in the year 1973. To nurture professionals in the hospice field in the US, national meetings that led to the formulation of the National Hospice Organization (NHO) were held (Connor, 2008). Florence Wald, a US nurse and former Dean at the Yale School of Nursing, was a key contributor to the initiation of hospice care programs in the US. Therefore, Wald and a team of healthcare experts initiated hospice care that improved the health outcomes of terminally-ill patients.
Healthcare experts have discovered that at some point in life, terminally-ill patients should connect with loved ones rather than undergo a series of treatments for incurable diseases. The introduction of a hospice program in the US allowed improved health outcomes for patients with life-threatening conditions as in-home care delivery was initiated. Patients who receive hospice care gain high control of their treatment process and avoid the risks associated with hospitalization and treatment (McAteer & Wellbery, 2013). Therefore, the introduction of hospice care in the US was critical to nursing practice effectiveness as it led to quality and convenient care for terminally-ill patients.
Professional Nursing Organizations
American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a nursing organization that represents the welfare of the 4 million registered nurses in the US. Founded in the year 1896, ANA is important to nursing as it champions for the provision of quality healthcare to all members of public. Further, the organization promotes an ethical and safe work environment (“About ANA,” n.d). ANA enables members to advance their careers by providing free webinars on emerging trends in nursing practice. Moreover, the organization facilitates job networking and guarantees member representation in state house on critical nursing issues.
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The cost of joining the ANA is $174 US Dollars annually. The organization has 4 million members practicing in different states across the US (“About ANA,” n.d). Currently, the ANA is working on improving healthcare by addressing concerns such as workplace violence and under-staffing (“Nursing Organizations Launch Campaign,” 2019). These initiatives will be executed by developing public support for nurses’ functions in healthcare settings.
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) is an institution dedicated to enhancing expert care among individuals with terminal illnesses. The institution is important to nursing as it enables members to network and access educational resources that facilitate effective nursing care delivery. Members of the HPNA obtain resources such as online e-learning courses and professional journals for enhancing their professional knowledge (“Membership,” n.d). Further, members receive updates on the association’s program of activities through monthly e-newsletters.
The HPNA charges annual membership fees of $115 US dollars, $82 US dollars, and $50 US dollars for registered nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Nursing Assistants respectively (“Membership,” n.d). The association has a community of more than 10,000 members. Currently, the association is preparing for the annual assembly of hospice and palliative care where health professionals such as nurses and physicians network to expand skills need for the effective execution of their mandate. Such networking events enable healthcare providers to gain knowledge that allows them to improve the health outcomes of their patients.
Importance of Professional Organizations to Nursing Practice
Professional organizations are important in the generation and flow of ideas in the healthcare sector. They enable nurses to advocate both for their rights and those of their patients thus influencing government policies. Advocacy is crucial in nursing as it enables stakeholders to plead with political, economic and social influencers to adopt decisions that would allow equitable resource allocation (Matthews, 2012). Professional organizations enable nurses to articulate nursing principles and values in an effective manner thus allowing them to uphold professionalism. This builds trust and integrity in the work-place thus enhancing patients’ welfare and health outcomes.
Professional associations and organizations build collaboration in nursing practice by serving as a tool for quick communication to members. They keep nurses informed by distributing newsletters and bulletin alerts on emerging nursing trends (Matthews, 2012). Moreover, issue-specific communication to nurses on emerging developments is effectively made through professional organizations and associations as they are cheap and have a wide reach. Upon receiving emergency communication, nurses respond through e-mails, Tweets, and Facebook postings thus enhancing the diversity and efficiency of healthcare delivery. Most nurses who are members of professional nursing organizations and associations have access to electronic communication channels and thus, they can significantly influence nursing policy and legislation.
Professional organizations are important to the nursing profession as they facilitate the dissemination of knowledge to nurses. Associations such as the ANA and HPNA provide members with scholarly manuscripts that are relevant to their practice thus keeping them informed on emerging healthcare trends (Matthews, 2012). Through collaboration with professional organizations, various companies offer literature review searches and allow nurses to access medical and nursing databases. Further, the firms provide online services that enable nurses to obtain evidence-based solutions for addressing pressing clinical issues. Therefore, membership in professional organizations is vital to the nursing profession as it enables nurses to access quality and affordable resources for solving clinical questions.
References
“The Lady with the Lamp” and Her Contributions to Modern Nursing. (2015, February 25). Retrieved from http://library.uthscsa.edu/2015/02/the-lady-with-the-lamp-and-her-contributions-to-modern-nursing/
About ANA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/about-ana/.
Connor, S. R. (2008). Development of hospice and palliative care in the United States. OMEGA-Journal of Death and Dying, 56(1), 89-99.
Matthews, J. (2012). Role of professional organizations in advocating for the nursing profession. Online J Issues Nurs, 17(3).
McAteer, R., & Wellbery, C. (2013). Palliative care: benefits, barriers, and best practices. Am Fam Physician, 88(12), 807-13.
Membership. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://advancingexpertcare.org/membership.
Nursing Organizations Launch Campaign to Address Safety and Health Issues. (2019, May 15). Retrieved from https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/18395-nursing-organizations-launch-campaign-to-address-safety-and-health-issues.
Shetty, A. P. (2016). Florence Nightingale: The queen of nurses. Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences, 4(1), 144-148.