Nursing Education
Nursing has evolved since the late 18th century. For instance, nursing is considered a profession that requires advanced education levels, either in nursing colleges and universities. The nursing field has a diverse practice scope, and nurses specialize in pediatrics, critical care, community health, or midwifery services. Besides, nursing employs evidence-based care and has increased nursing roles.
Historical persons and events influence contemporary nursing education, practice, and roles. Florence Nightingale is considered the first female nurse in the world. She established nursing care for wounded British soldiers in 1854, and after the war, she encouraged women to study necessary nursing skills in the hospitals while providing care (Strickler, 2017). Nightingale introduced nursing care models and is the pioneer of internship training for nursing students. Other nurses who contributed to the profession through their nursing ideals include; Virginia Henderson, Clara Burton, Dorothea Dix, Mary Seacole, Margaret Sanger, Martha Jane Cannary, and Edith Cavell.
The onset of nursing education by Nightingale in 1860 resulted in a series of events contributing to nursing. For instance, the United States also started its nursing schools in 1873 in Boston, Connecticut, and New York. Nursing students were taught nursing in the hospitals subsequently. The development of the American Nurses Association in 1911 in the United States paved the way for creating professional associations by nurses (Whelan, n.d.). Today, nurses are required to register to associations or organizations relevant to their specialty. The establishment of Yale Nursing School in 1923 is credited for the contemporary nursing education and facilities. In 1974, the first hospice care program was started in the United States, paving the way for transitional and end of life care. Lastly, the first registered nurse was elected in the US Congress in 1992, demonstrating the need for nurse leaders in healthcare provision(Whelan, n.d.).