Since the beginning of time, nurses have sought to care for the ill and prevent the spread of disease. Allowing civilization to flourish and continue as it is today. What would society look like in a world without nurses? Surely, we wouldn’t live as long as a species. As humans lived their day to day lives in times far different from ours, they succumbed to various injuries and infections much like today. Although back in 300 A.D., their injuries arose from hunting or a simple cut, with our current day being from a car accident or smoking. No matter the reason, the nursing profession came to existence in Rome and flourished particularly during the World Wars. Keep reading to learn how the nursing profession evolved throughout history. 

The Roman Empire

Nurses have first mentioned in history through documents during the Roman Empire around 300 A.D. The Roman Empire began in the eighth century B.C., it grew from a small town in Italy’s Tiber River to an empire that introduced the modern Western alphabet and calendar, as well as the emergence of Christianity. Around the time period of 300 A.D., they attempted to build a hospital in every town that was under their rule. 

The Roman Empire then became the Byzantine Empire which furthered the nursing profession greatly. They created 2 very developed hospitals within Constantinople. What really made this significant is that they had both male and female nurses. So, that isn’t as recent as you think. 

Merida, Spain

The need for medical care by the Catholic church only encouraged the advancement of the nursing profession. This becomes more prominent in Europe during the time of the Middle Ages. The first hospital in Spain was built in the late 500s to early 600s. Most of the nurses were working in Catholic churches under the advisement of nuns and monks, who treated everyone regardless of their ethnic background. 

Although the hospitals became neglected and some even closed under the current leadership. Once Emperor Charlemagne came into power in the 800s, there was a resurgence of excitement in the nursing field and a restoration of medical supplies. Many new nurses were working in response to all the revamped hospitals. 

The Expansion of Nursing

The evolution of nursing continued in history with a strong improvement during the 10th and 11th centuries in Europe. Places of religious worship had hospitals as part of the churches and temples, therefore many jobs for nurses. These religious buildings would provide extensive care for the poor and needy. Nurses would be seen aiding these injured individuals with nuns and monks, where hospitals may not take them. 

There was a slight regression for nurses during 17th century Europe as some churches were closed. This was because of the Protestant reformation, and many nuns were forced to leave their work. The nurses were still able to work and provide care in places where the Catholic church still existed. 

The 18th and 19th Century

In the 18th and 19th centuries, modern nursing took shape. North America and Britain expanded their health services which lead to the creation of different branches of nursing. These branches set nurses apart based on their skills and allowed them to provide more adequate care according to their specialty. North American and European nurses had similar goals in inpatient care, but at the time had different methods of achieving it. 

The War That Changed Nursing

In the 1850s, the Crimean War played a big role in the advancement of the nursing profession. Around the 19th century nurses continued to showcase their abilities to care for the injured, but now in a war setting. At the frontlines of war, new types of medical issues appeared, from trench foot to other infection-related ailments. Nurses were also tasked with assisting the nurse with battle wounds, whether it be amputating a leg or suturing a gash.

One of the main focuses here was preventing infection from all the cuts. Despite not having the medical supplies that exist today, alcohol was a good disinfectant and used in place of it.

The First Nursing School

Florence Nightingale, one of the most famous nurses in history, opened the first nursing school in 1860. The Florence Nightingale School of Nursing in London inspired the opening of many other nursing schools and the expansion of the field. Through the invention of nursing school, nurses were given formal and universal training. This taught nurses the best way to prevent disease and how to detect symptoms of other illnesses.

The World Wars

During the world wars throughout the twentieth century, nurses were challenged once again with even more wounded soldiers and injuries on the war front. However, this drastically improved the education and knowledge of treatment for nursing. The different types of nursing, like trauma, for example, were displayed here. Having nurses there was vital to the continuation of soldiers’ health throughout the battle. 

Nursing in the U.S.

With the absence of the Catholic church in the U.S. at the time, there were no nuns in the nursing field. Nursing began in the U.S. in the 1700s in Philadelphia. The government ordered the creation of hospitals to prevent the spread of disease and keep the population stable. This lead to a gap in training for the nurses who were working. Most were not as skilled or prepared as their counterparts in Europe.

Nurses were mostly tasked with treating what is now called the common cold or flu, however, they were not trained to treat more serious diseases. They had more basic training and not the experience to spot the symptoms of more serious conditions. 

The 20th Century

During the Civil War, many nurses were seen treating soldiers and saving many lives. With the 20th century came nursing schools and formal training for nurses. This lead to the biggest expansion in the nursing field for nurses in the U.S as of late. And it continued with nursing schools being managed by hospitals and gave them an influx of medical supplies and new training.

From there the field of nursing expanded to what it is today, with nurses saving lives every day and continuing to learn the latest methods of care. Society as a whole will always be dependent on nurses and other healthcare professionals for the stability and well-being of the population. 

References

https://www.nursingschoolhub.com/history-nursing/

https://www.news-medical.net/health/History-of-Nursing.aspx