The Origin of Nursing
- By James W Kelly
- Published March 7th, 2009
- Nursing
- Unrated
Ask any nursing student about who created the first organized nursing school, and I'm sure most of them would say "Florence Nightingale."
Surely, Florence Nightingale was known as the pioneering nurse who volunteered her services to the British Army. The lack of hygiene and decent care for wounded soldiers were her main concern during the Crimean War. She found the condition of the wounded soldiers in the army hospitals appalling. To improve sanitary conditions at all military hospitals, she published many books about proper nursing care and participated in several rallies. She was able to reduce the number of death rate among soldiers by her actions. After a few years, she established the Nightingale School and Home For Nurses at St. Thomas's Hospital in London.
But, you'll surprised to know that the tradition of organized nursing schools originated a couple of centuries earlier, in France.
In the year 1640s, in Paris, a widow named
Louise de Marillac, along with St. Vincent de Paul founded the Daughters of Charity. It was the very first group of non-cloistered sisters, who decided to serve the poor directly. They offered their services beyond the nunnery walls which was a drastic step. Since, in the olden days, only men went out beyond the monastery walls to do charitable works.
The main aim of the Daughters of Charity was to minister and care for the sick. They wore simple peasant attire and visited the poor in their homes and in hospital wards. They used to take care of the aged, the mentally ill, and anyone in need.
In 1934, Louise de Marillac was declared a saint, for her charitable works and services. She one of the first few nurses who have been proclaimed a saint by the Catholic Church.
Therefore, if you're pursuing a career in nursing, then you'd be proud to know that you're pursuing a tradition that was pioneered by women who had to overcome a lot of obstacles and prejudice about women straying into the field of medicine.
Surely, Florence Nightingale was known as the pioneering nurse who volunteered her services to the British Army. The lack of hygiene and decent care for wounded soldiers were her main concern during the Crimean War. She found the condition of the wounded soldiers in the army hospitals appalling. To improve sanitary conditions at all military hospitals, she published many books about proper nursing care and participated in several rallies. She was able to reduce the number of death rate among soldiers by her actions. After a few years, she established the Nightingale School and Home For Nurses at St. Thomas's Hospital in London.
But, you'll surprised to know that the tradition of organized nursing schools originated a couple of centuries earlier, in France.
In the year 1640s, in Paris, a widow named
The main aim of the Daughters of Charity was to minister and care for the sick. They wore simple peasant attire and visited the poor in their homes and in hospital wards. They used to take care of the aged, the mentally ill, and anyone in need.
In 1934, Louise de Marillac was declared a saint, for her charitable works and services. She one of the first few nurses who have been proclaimed a saint by the Catholic Church.
Therefore, if you're pursuing a career in nursing, then you'd be proud to know that you're pursuing a tradition that was pioneered by women who had to overcome a lot of obstacles and prejudice about women straying into the field of medicine.