History and Events in Nursing

History and Events in Nursing

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Introduction

From its humble beginnings as a loving and supportive function to a highly skilled and specialized profession, nursing has a rich history that has developed through centuries. This essay examines two important historical occurrences or subjects that have substantially impacted the nursing profession. The significance of professional nursing organizations and their contributions to nursing are also covered in depth.

History and Events in Nursing:

Nursing history began in the 1860s. As society grows and the demand for nurses rises, laws, the law, improved educational procedures, and surroundings affect nursing and its practice. Modern nursing relies on technology. VR, remote access, robots, and biotechnology are improving. Once Computers have made information access easier for doctors and patients worldwide, it is becoming cheaper and more widely available. Enterprise computer systems are equipment, programs, users, and activities networks. Computers boost student and instructor academic achievement and clinical staff decision-making and communication in nursing education. Reading, computer-assisted training, and distant learning are examples. We cannot continue our normal routine due to the epidemic’s stress. The computer keeps us informed. New knowledge is easier to gather, organize, and understand.

Florence Nightingale (1820–1910), a British nurse and social activist, is often regarded as the progenitor of modern nursing. During the Crimean War (1853–1856), she was deployed alongside a cohort of nurses under her tutelage to provide medical assistance to wounded soldiers in military healthcare facilities (Ellis, 2019). Due to Nightingale’s meticulous documentation and rigorous data analysis, it became evident that most fatalities were attributed to preventable diseases and inadequate hygiene practices rather than injuries sustained in conflict. The author’s approach, which emphasized the importance of cleanliness, hygiene, and evidence-based treatment, significantly transformed nursing practices. The accomplishments of Florence Nightingale established the foundation for contemporary professional nursing, hence holding considerable importance within the nursing field. She advocated elevating nursing as a profession deserving of great regard, emphasizing the vital function that skilled and proficient nurses fulfill within healthcare establishments. Subsequently, nursing education and practice have embraced her emphasis on evidence-based practice and quality improvement in healthcare as a fundamental principle (Ellis, 2019).

The American Red Cross, founded by Clara Barton in the year 1881, is also another important organization in nursing History (Groves et al., 2024). Clara Barton is a nurse and a humanitarian who became experienced during the Civil War in America, majorly because she provided care and support to wounded soldiers because of being on the front lines during the war. After being introduced to the worldwide Red Cross movement, she returned to the US and established the American Red Cross. Her work demonstrates the role of nurses in providing humanitarian aid in times of disaster. Under her leadership, the American red cross movement provided care and relief during the crisis, which displayed the important role played by nurses in responding to disasters and crises; the establishment of the American red cross movement also emphasized the need to have homogenous and organized nursing care. The findings emphasized the relevance of skilled nurses in emergencies and the critical role a well-organized institution plays in efficiently coordinating and providing healthcare services (Groves et al., 2024).

Professional Nursing Organizations

1. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses(AACN)

Importance to nursing: AACN plays a vital role in supporting nurses who work in critical care environments by offering essential assistance, educational resources, and advocacy tailored to their distinct needs (Kleinpell et al., 2018). Critical care nurses encounter intricate problems, and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) holds a pivotal position in enhancing their professional capabilities and advancing the well-being of patients.

Resources they provide to members: It provides access to practice materials, chances for ongoing education, evidence-based recommendations, and research papers. Through credentials like the CCRN (Critical et al.) and networking opportunities, they offer opportunities for career growth (Kleinpell et al., 2018).

Cost of membership:  According to the type of membership, AACN provided a variety of membership tiers as of 2021, with annual dues varying from about $78 to $120. The group had more than 100,000 members.

Current Issues: The AACN supports safe staffing levels, patient-centered care, and improved working conditions for critical care nurses. They also focus on initiatives that promote critical care professionals’ resilience, assist nurses’ psychological well-being, and advance equitable healthcare (Kleinpell et al., 2018).

2. The American Nurses Association(ANA)

Importance to nursing: The ANA is important for nursing because it acts as the collective voice of registered nurses and defends their rights, pursuits, and professional advancement. It promotes excellent patient care standards and advances the nursing field (Linton & Koonmen, 2020).

Resources they provide to members: It provides its members with various resources, such as webinar access, chances to train, regulatory and advocacy updates, networking opportunities, and membership to nursing articles. It also offers opportunities for growth as a practitioner, including accreditations and ongoing training (Linton & Koonmen, 2020).

Cost of membership: Depending on the type of membership and education level, ANA membership varies in price. The annual membership fee for a standard member (RN with a bachelor’s degree or higher) ranged from roughly $174 to $218 as of September 2021. More than 50 organizations, including state and specialty nursing associations, comprised more than 4 million individual nurse participants (Linton & Koonmen, 2020).

Current Issues: It is constantly working to address numerous nursing, healthcare, and patient advocacy-related challenges. Increasing healthcare fairness, diversifying the nursing workforce, supporting safe staffing ratios, promoting fair pay and benefits for nurses, and supporting legislation safeguarding nurses’ rights and welfare are some key areas (Linton & Koonmen, 2020).

Why are Professional Organizations, in general, important to nursing as a profession

Professional organizations play a crucial role in the field of nursing. They provide a platform for nurses to connect, collaborate, and stay updated on the latest developments in the profession. These organizations offer their members a range of services and benefits, including professional development opportunities, networking events, access to resources and research, and advocacy support (Zabel, 2019). They also serve as a collective voice to represent the interests and concerns of nurses at a local, national, and international level. By joining a professional organization, nurses can enhance their knowledge and skills, expand their professional network, and contribute to advancing nursing (Zabel, 2019).

Conclusion

This essay has thoroughly explained the historical developments and key moments that have shaped the nursing profession from its infancy to the present. It is clear from the case study analysis and the discussion of professional nursing organizations that nursing is still essential to healthcare delivery and public health activities. The information gleaned from this analysis emphasizes the relevance of honoring the contributions of nursing trailblazers and ongoing efforts to enhance the profession to fulfill the always-evolving needs of healthcare. By recognizing our nursing legacy, we can continue to clear the way for a better and more significant future for nursing and healthcare.

References

Ellis, H. (2019). Florence Nightingale: Creator of modern nursing and public health pioneer. Journal of Perioperative Practice, 30(5), 145–146. https://doi.org/10.1177/1750458919851942

Groves, J. T., Vear, K. M., & Smith, M. (2024). Disaster nursing. Ciottone’s Disaster Medicine, pp. 250–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-80932-0.00037-9

Kleinpell, R., Cook, M. L., & Padden, D. L. (2018). American Association of Nurse Practitioners national nurse practitioner sample survey: Update on acute care nurse practitioner practice. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 30(3), 140-149. https://doi.org/10.1097/jxx.0000000000000030

Linton, M., & Koonmen, J. (2020). Self-care is an ethical obligation for nurses. Nursing Ethics, 27(8), 1694-1702. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733020940371

Zabel, D. (2019). The mentoring role of professional associations. Career Paths and Career Development of Business Librarians, pp. 155–167. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315877334-14

History and Events in Nursing

Paper details

Write a 1000 word APA paper addressing each of the following points. Be sure to completely answer all the questions for each bullet point. There should be two main sections, one for each bullet below. Separate each section in your paper with a clear heading that allows your professor to know which bullet you are addressing in that section of your paper. Support your ideas with at least three (3) scholarly sources using citations in your essay. Make sure to cite using the APA writing style for the essay. The cover page and reference page in correct APA do not count towards the minimum word amount. Review the rubric criteria for this assignment.

• Explore the history of nursing and choose two events/topics from history related to nursing (ie education, practices, important people, etc.) and explain each one in detail and why they are important to the nursing profession.
• Research two professional nursing organizations and discuss the following for each organization chosen:
  • The name of the organization and why this organization is important to nursing
  • What resources they provide to members
  • Cost of membership and how many members are part of the organization
  • Current issues the organization is working on
  • Finally, after researching this question answer in detail: Why are Professional Organizations in general important to nursing as a profession?
• There is NO ABSTRACT in papers for this course. At the top of page 2 you will repeat the title of your assignment (not in bold, but centered) and then write a brief introduction paragraph of the ENTIRE paper (main sections should be mentioned; THIS INCLUDES ANY TOPICS FOR CASE STUDY SECTIONS).
• Intro is followed by a Level 1 subheading (bold and centered) for the first half of the assignment. This week it’s History and Events in Nursing.  Any question/point you are addressing under this heading should be marked clearly with Level 2 subheading which are bolded and flush left.
• Immediately after the first section above without any spaces, you will also use another Level 1 subheading (bold and centered) prior to the second half of the assignment which is the case study. This week it’s Professional Nursing Organizations. Again, differentiate which question/point you are answering by using a Level 2 subheading (bold and at the left margin).
• After both sections are discussed at length – there will be ONE Conclusion – needed for all papers as the last Level 1 subheading bold and centered that summarizes the entire paper/knowledge gained
• There will be ONE alphabetized reference page for all sources set “hanging” with references in APA format. All citations need a reference!
• All references listed are cited correctly in APA format in the text. Points are docked for incorrect citations and not meeting the source requirement.
• Should use 3rd person the majority of the time but it is OK to use 1st person when describing a personal experience related to a specific question.