Nursing is one of the oldest professions in the world, with a strong humanitarian and care component, although as a profession it is quite modern. Nursing has experienced drastic changes in response to the needs and influence of society. A look at the beginnings of Nursing reveals its continuous struggle for autonomy and professionalization.
Throughout its illustrious history, Nursing has had a great influence on people’s lives. As rapid and continuous change continues to transform the nursing profession and the healthcare system with which it is closely linked, nursing professionals increasingly seize opportunities to influence human well-being. Currently, Nursing staff contribute knowledge, leadership, enthusiasm and vital experience in the expansion of their roles, which allow for greater participation, responsibility and reward. However, while nursing continues to evolve, at the core of it all there is an ancient, fervent and deep commitment to caring.
Florence Nightingale (1820-1919) is considered the founder of modern Nursing. She influenced the development of nursing teaching, practice and management. Her publication, “ Notes on Nursing: What it is, and what it is not, ” first published in England in 1859 and in the US in 1860, was aimed at all women. Nightingale had a vision of Nursing that included functions in Public Health and health promotion. Its main objective tended to develop the profession within hospitals.
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE (1820-1919). “OBSERVATION INDICATES HOW THE PATIENT IS; REFLECTION INDICATES WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE; PRACTICAL SKILL INDICATES HOW TO DO IT. TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ARE NECESSARY TO KNOW HOW TO OBSERVE; HOW TO THINK AND WHAT TO THINK.”
The Nursing profession has received different nomenclatures throughout its history. In the beginning, they were known as practitioners. After the creation of the Schools for the Training of “Technical Health Assistants”, between 1950 and 1970 they began to be called ATS. In 1977, the University Schools of Nursing were created, where professionals with a university degree in Nursing were trained. intermediate degree, becoming known as DUE (University Diploma in Nursing). Currently, with the application of the Bologna Plan in Spanish universities, we are beginning to talk about Nursing graduates. The first class of Nursing graduates from Spanish universities is that of the 2009-2013 academic year.
Nursing is dedicated to the comprehensive care of the individual, family and community at all stages of the life cycle and their development processes. Today’s society increasingly gives more importance to the promotion and prevention of diseases, which is why more qualified care is required and more complex technology is used, to which nursing professionals cannot be oblivious.
In the environment of the health system, Nursing professionals share with other professionals the functions of planning, organization, direction and evaluation, with the purpose of guaranteeing an adequate health system for the development of people’s potential, the promotion of health, the prevention of disease and the care of sick or disabled people.
Today’s nurses must be able to grow and evolve to meet the demands of a healthcare system that is undergoing spectacular changes.