The Nature of NursingThe Nature of NursingThe Nature of NursingThe Nature of Nursing

Unit oneUnit one

Historical Perspective

• Theory of Animism• Belief that good and evil spirits

bring health or illness• Physician as medicine man• Nurse portrayed as mother

caring for family (nurturing role)

Historical Perspective/ Beginning of Civilization

• Belief that illness is caused by sin and gods’ displeasure

• Temples were centers of medical care

• Priest as physician• Nurse viewed as slave carrying out

menial tasks ordered by priests

Historical Perspective/ 16th Century

• Focus on religion replaced by focus on warfare

• Exploration and expansion of knowledge

• Shortage of nurses: criminals recruited

• Nursing considered disreputable

Historical Perspective/ 18th –19th Century

• Hospital schools organized• Female nurses under control of male

hospital administrators and physicians• Male dominance of health care• Nursing becomes respected occupation• Modern methods in nursing education

founded

Historical Perspective/ World War II

•Explosion of knowledge in medicine and technology

•Efforts to upgrade nursing education

•Women more assertive and independent

Historical Perspective/ 1950’s to Present

•Varied healthcare settings developed

•Nursing broadened in all areas

•Growth of nursing as a profession

Nursing Leaders• Florence Nightingale (1820- 1910)• Believed nursing is separate and distinct

from medicine• Recognized nutrition as important to

health• Instituted occupational and recreational

therapy for sick people• Stressed the need for continuing

education for nurses• Maintained accurate records/beginning of

nursing research

Nursing Leaders• Identified personal needs of patient

and role of nurse in meeting them• Established Standards for hospital

management• Established nursing education and

respected occupation for women• Recognized two components of

nursing – health and illness

Nursing Leaders• Clara Barton (1812-1956)

• She was schoolteacher who volunteered as nurse during American civil war.

• Barton is noted for her role in establishing the American Red Cross.

Nursing Leaders• Lillian wald (1867-1940): • Is considered the founder of public health

nursing.• She offer trained nursing services to the poor.• Liviana dock (1858-1956) • Her campaigned for legislation to allow nurses

rather than physicians to control their profession.

Definitions of Nursing• There are many definitions of

nursing.• Florence Nightingale defined

nursing as: the act of utilizing the environment of the patient to assist him in his recovery.

Definitions of Nursing• ANA definition: nursing is the

diagnosis and treatment of human response to actual and potential health problems.

Definitions of Nursing• Nursing is caring.• Nursing is science and art.• Nursing is holistic.• Nursing is adaptive. • Nursing is client centered

Recipients of nursing• Consumer: is an individual, a

group of people, or a community that uses a service.

• Patient: is a person who is waiting for or undergoing medical treatment and care.

Recipients of nursing• Client: is a person who engages

the advice or services of another who is qualified to provide this service.

Scope of Nursing• Nurses provide care for three

types of clients:1. Individuals.2. Families.3. Communities.

Scope of Nursing• Nursing Practice involves four

areas:1. Promoting health and wellness.2. Preventing illness.3. Restoring health.4. Care of the dying.

Health promotion• Is increase people’s wellbeing and health

potential.• factors effects on health or illness: Genetics,

educational level and development level.Examples: 1.Reduce over weight.2.Stop cigarette smoking.3.Improving nutrition and physical fitness.4.Preventing drug misuse.

Prevent illness• Maintain optimum health by

preventing disease. Examples:1.Educational program (smoking,

prenatal care).2.Immunization.

Restoring health• Focus of individual with illnesses and

range from early detection to rehabilitation and teaching during recovery.

Example: • Direct care ( treatment, medication)• Performing diagnostic measurement( Blood pressure, blood glucose)

Setting for Nursing• In the past, the acute care hospital

was the only practice setting.• Today nurses works in hospitals,

client’s home, community agencies, education settings, schools, mental health…..etc.

Roles and Functions of the Nurses

1. Caregiver: assist client physically and psychologically.

2. Communicator: support the client through health team and support people in community.

3. Teacher.4. Client advocate: protect patient right.5. Leader.6. Manager.

Professionalization• Profession: an occupation that

requires extensive education, special knowledge, skill, and preparation.

• Professionalization: is the process of becoming professional.

Criteria of a Profession1. Specialized education.2. Body of knowledge.3. Ongoing research.4. Code of ethics.5. Autonomy: is a state of independent

and self directed with out any control from out side.

6. Professional organization.

Nursing Organizations1. American Nurses Association

(ANA)2. Canadian Nurses Association

(CAN)3. National league for Nursing (NLN)4. International Council of Nurses

(ICN)

Types of Nursing Educational Programs

• Diploma programs.• Community College/associate

Degree.• Baccalaureate Degree Program.• Graduated Nursing Education

(Master’s &Doctoral Programs)

Metaparadigm of Nursing

1. Client.2. Environment.3. Health.4. Nursing.

Definitions• Health: a state of complete

physical, social, mental, spiritual wellbeing not merely absence of disease or infirmity.

• illness: any disturbance of body organs function.

Illness – wellness continuum

• Is one way to measure a person level of health, this model view health as constantly change state with high level of wellness and death. The person with chronic illness can attain high level of wellness if he successful in meeting his health potential within the limit of his chronic illness.

The End