CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
Learning Objectives
> Describe the historical background of nursing, definitions of nursing, and the status of nursing
as a profession and as a discipline.
> The science of nursing is the knowledge base for the care given, and the art of nursing is
the skilled application of that knowledge to help others achieve maximum health and
quality of life
> Historical background:
Animism= good spirits brought evil; evil spirits bought sickness and death
Physician=medicine man; nurse=mother
Ancient greek civilization: Temples/churches were center of medical care; nurses
cared for sick in home and community and were midwives
Early Christian period: nursing has formal and more clearly defined role;
deaconess made visits to sick; nursing developed purpose, direction, and
leadership
16th century: shift from a religious view to an emphasis on warfare, exploration,
and expansion of knowledge; nursing had poor reputation and they received low
pay in poor working conditions
19th-20th century: social reforms changed roles of nursing and women based on
Florence nightingale. Hospital schools provided , female nurses worked under
male physicians, women became more independent due to WW2.
1950s-present: practice in wide variety of health care settings, developed
specific body of knowledge, nursing research, promoting health, leads to growth
as a professional discipline
> Florence Nightingale elevated the status of nursing to a respected occupation, improved
the quality of nursing care, and founded modern nursing education (founded first
training school for nurses).
Established standards for hospital management, nursing education, and
respected occupation for women
Recognized that nutrition is important to health, created
occupational/recreational therapy, stressed need to education,
beginning of accurate records and research
> Clara Barton established the American Red Cross in the US in 1882. Lillian Wald is the
founder of public health nursing. Lavina Dock was a nursing leader and woman’s right
activist, and woman’s right to vote. Mary Mahoney was America’s first African American
nurse to graduate from a school of nursing. Dorthea Dix served during the civil war. Jane
Addams provided social services within a neighborhood setting; a leader for women’s
rights; recipient of the 1931 Nobel Peace prize. Harriet Tubman-a nurse and an
, abolitionist; active in the underground railroad movement before joining the Union
Army during the Civil War. Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the
United States; founder of Planned Parenthood Federation
> Nursing –promotion of health, prevention of illness, collaborative care.
Originated from the latin word nutrix (to nourish)
Patient is central focus of all definitions
> Nursing as a professional discipline
Well-defined body of specific and unique knowledge
Strong service orientation
Recognized authority by a professional group
Code of ethics
Professional organization that sets standards
Ongoing research
Autonomy and self-regulation
> Explain the aims of nursing as they interrelate to facilitate maximal health and quality of life
for patients.
> Nursing Aims and Competencies (give examples)
1. To promote health identifying, analyzing, and maximizing each patient’s individual
strengths as components of preventing illness, restoring health,
and dealing with disability and death
Factors that affect health: genetics, cognitive abilities, education, race/culture,
age/gender, developmental level, lifestyle, socioeconomic status
Through knowledge and skill, the nurse:
Facilitates patients’ decisions about lifestyle that enhance the quality of life and
encourage acceptance of responsibility for their own health
Increases patients’ health awareness by assisting in the understanding that health is
more than just not being ill, and by teaching that certain behaviors and factors can
contribute to or diminish health
Teaches self-care activities to maximize achievement of goals that are realistic and
attainable
Serves as a role model
Encourages health promotion by providing information and referrals
2. To prevent illness to reduce the risk for illness, to promote good health habits, and
to maintain optimal functioning
Educational programs such as prenatal care for women, stop smoking programs, and
stress reduction seminars; community programs encouraging
healthy lifestyles; books, tv, radio, on diet and exercise; health
assessments in institutions, clinics that identify areas of strength
and risks for illness
Learning Objectives
> Describe the historical background of nursing, definitions of nursing, and the status of nursing
as a profession and as a discipline.
> The science of nursing is the knowledge base for the care given, and the art of nursing is
the skilled application of that knowledge to help others achieve maximum health and
quality of life
> Historical background:
Animism= good spirits brought evil; evil spirits bought sickness and death
Physician=medicine man; nurse=mother
Ancient greek civilization: Temples/churches were center of medical care; nurses
cared for sick in home and community and were midwives
Early Christian period: nursing has formal and more clearly defined role;
deaconess made visits to sick; nursing developed purpose, direction, and
leadership
16th century: shift from a religious view to an emphasis on warfare, exploration,
and expansion of knowledge; nursing had poor reputation and they received low
pay in poor working conditions
19th-20th century: social reforms changed roles of nursing and women based on
Florence nightingale. Hospital schools provided , female nurses worked under
male physicians, women became more independent due to WW2.
1950s-present: practice in wide variety of health care settings, developed
specific body of knowledge, nursing research, promoting health, leads to growth
as a professional discipline
> Florence Nightingale elevated the status of nursing to a respected occupation, improved
the quality of nursing care, and founded modern nursing education (founded first
training school for nurses).
Established standards for hospital management, nursing education, and
respected occupation for women
Recognized that nutrition is important to health, created
occupational/recreational therapy, stressed need to education,
beginning of accurate records and research
> Clara Barton established the American Red Cross in the US in 1882. Lillian Wald is the
founder of public health nursing. Lavina Dock was a nursing leader and woman’s right
activist, and woman’s right to vote. Mary Mahoney was America’s first African American
nurse to graduate from a school of nursing. Dorthea Dix served during the civil war. Jane
Addams provided social services within a neighborhood setting; a leader for women’s
rights; recipient of the 1931 Nobel Peace prize. Harriet Tubman-a nurse and an
, abolitionist; active in the underground railroad movement before joining the Union
Army during the Civil War. Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the
United States; founder of Planned Parenthood Federation
> Nursing –promotion of health, prevention of illness, collaborative care.
Originated from the latin word nutrix (to nourish)
Patient is central focus of all definitions
> Nursing as a professional discipline
Well-defined body of specific and unique knowledge
Strong service orientation
Recognized authority by a professional group
Code of ethics
Professional organization that sets standards
Ongoing research
Autonomy and self-regulation
> Explain the aims of nursing as they interrelate to facilitate maximal health and quality of life
for patients.
> Nursing Aims and Competencies (give examples)
1. To promote health identifying, analyzing, and maximizing each patient’s individual
strengths as components of preventing illness, restoring health,
and dealing with disability and death
Factors that affect health: genetics, cognitive abilities, education, race/culture,
age/gender, developmental level, lifestyle, socioeconomic status
Through knowledge and skill, the nurse:
Facilitates patients’ decisions about lifestyle that enhance the quality of life and
encourage acceptance of responsibility for their own health
Increases patients’ health awareness by assisting in the understanding that health is
more than just not being ill, and by teaching that certain behaviors and factors can
contribute to or diminish health
Teaches self-care activities to maximize achievement of goals that are realistic and
attainable
Serves as a role model
Encourages health promotion by providing information and referrals
2. To prevent illness to reduce the risk for illness, to promote good health habits, and
to maintain optimal functioning
Educational programs such as prenatal care for women, stop smoking programs, and
stress reduction seminars; community programs encouraging
healthy lifestyles; books, tv, radio, on diet and exercise; health
assessments in institutions, clinics that identify areas of strength
and risks for illness
