They were untrained helpers, nuns and mostly servants who were considered nurses. The earliest documentation of clinical decision making in nursing was in the 17th century by the French Sisters of Charity. ![]() 210).ĭuring this time religious groups built public hospitals to serve the poor. Barber (1994) expressed that, “In the Middle Ages, for example and in the 18 th century, elegant ladies passed their time spinning and embroidering silks, not for sale but for conspicuous use at court” (p. It appeared that different social classes performed diverse women’s work during this era. These individuals would only care for the needs of the women in the early church, while deacons cared only for the men. Nursing during this era was mostly influenced by Christianity, with the beginning of deaconesses, or female servants caring for the sick. The Middle Ages (476- 1453 AD) served as a transition between ancient and modern civilizations. Though most nurses in those days were slaves, servants, or family members, the nursing position appeared to be strengthened. They consisted of a series of tents that gave way to permanent buildings next to combat areas that were developed into primitive types of hospitals. These moveable hospitals provided care to the troops. Another description was written in the book of Acts which told the story of Tabitha who was recognized for her reputation of being a helper of the poor, compassionate and resourceful.ĭuring the Roman era 31BC- 476 AD, Roman armies developed mobile war nursing units. Midwives are referenced in the Exodus in the Proverbs 31 and described a woman who helped the poor and the needy. The Bible referred to many occurrences during this time dating back as far as 1450-1410 BC that would be considered a function of nursing and public health. Women have traditionally filled the roles of caregiver of the sick throughout history.” In an article published in the Virginia University School of Nursing, Keeling (2007) stated that “…nursing’s origins are found in the woman’s role of caring for the sick. Nursing’s origin can be seen as part of a time line that correlates to the issues currently plaguing in this century. It was during this time that women of ill repute were recruited into the nursing profession in lieu of serving jail sentences for their crimes” (p. Taylor, Lillis and LeMore (2005) believed that, “Religious organizations closed leading to a shortage of people to care for the sick. Nursing, during the 16th century, changed from having a religious orientation to human welfare and expanding the body of nursing knowledge. ![]() Throughout history, inadequacy of care during the Crimean, American Civil and World Wars has accentuated the need for nurses. During the third and fourth centuries, wealthy matrons of theRoman Empireconverted to Christianity and used their homes to provide for the sick. Religion also had a significant role in the development of nursing. Traditionally, it was the woman who prepared herbal remedies and treated illnesses even though they were viewed as second class citizens.įrom the beginning of time, women have cared for infants and children thus, nursing could be said to have its roots in the home. Pomeroy (1995) discussed midwives as being, “InRomethe skilled midwives, like the physicians, were likely to be Greek” (p. Some of the first descriptions of assistants tending to the health needs of others occurs as early as the first century AD when Pliny the younger (63-113) as well as the Greek physician Soranus (98-138), both wrote of the use of midwives in childbirth. Author Lewenson (2004) commented, “Understanding nursing history helps us to comprehend current issues in nursing and anticipate future trends in the profession.” The history of the nursing profession has been immersed not only in chronological primitive events to current day, but in cultural and societal beliefs that influenced the world and although it never repeats itself with complete duplication, there are patterns and trends affected by unique forces and factors that have led to paths similar to that seen in earlier years, yet uniquely different. Good deeds will shine as the stars of heaven…” ~ Florence Nightingale Your name, your deeds, will be as legible on the hearts you leave behind as the stars on the brow of evening. Write your name in kindness, love and mercy, on the hearts of the thousands you come in contact with year by year. Do good, and leave behind you a monument of virtue that the storm of time can never destroy.
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