History of Nursing Timeline

History of Nursing Timeline

Cari Spier

NUR/513

January 30, 2012

Jenna Hasenour

Introduction

The history of nursing dates back to well over a century ago. Nursing as an independent science has converged into a rich culture of theoretical perspectives, which has positively affected the profession (Kendall, 2010). Because of the positive impact, nursing is said to be one of the most respected professions today. The goal of this paper is to identify the development, heritage, and history of nursing as a profession with a timeline table and narrative discussion.

Timeline

(1910) Florence Nightingale First to define nursing as a profession, established the first school of nursing

(1912) Clara Barton Founder of the American Red Cross

(1916) Nursing Programs Two five-year bachelor degree nursing programs are established

(1917) Nurse Practice Act Forty-five states have enacted practice acts defining nursing practice and adopting the term "registered nurse"

(1926) Mary Mahoney First African-American Registered Nurse

(1948) Hildegard Peplau Mother of psychiatric nursing

(1953) Team Nursing Team nursing is introduced as a model of care

(1954) Martha Rogers Published book an Introduction to the Theoretical Basis of Nursing

(1965) Mary Breckinridge Founded Family Care Centers in rural healthcare

(1966) Virginia Henderson Development of nursing theory

(1966) Male Nurses Male nurses are appointed to regular Army, Navy, and Air Force

(1969) Madeleine Leininger Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory

(1971) Dorothea Orem Nursing Theorist and founder of the Orem model of nursing

(1973) Nursing Diagnosis The North American Nursing Diagnosis (NANDA) is formed

(1999) Jean Watson Theory of Human/Transpersonal Caring

Discussion

As the timeline identifies a very small era in history, it is evident that nursing has imprinted a valuable image on the profession. A few historical figures and events made such an impression that further discussion is warranted.

Through the years, many outstanding young women helped shape the direction of nursing. One woman is Florence Nightingale, perhaps the most famous nurse in history. Her vision was for social reform in healthcare and nursing and to formalize nursing education. The first scientifically based nursing school was a result of these efforts. She believed nurses should continually learn and gain intelligence to be used to improve conditions for the patient. Nightingale believed that nurses need to spend time caring for their patients. She spent many hours in the wards, and her night rounds giving personal care to the wounded, establishing her image as the "lady with the lamp" (Nightingale, 1994). In many ways evident, Florence Nightingale advanced nursing as a profession.

In 1952, Hildegard Peplau, also known