Identifying Social Factors That Shaped The Evolution Of Nursing

Question: Discuss about the Identifying Social Factors That Shaped The Evolution Of Nursing. Answer: Nursingevolved in the form of an intuitive response. It aimed to keep people healthy and provide assurance and comfort to the sick. Initially simple ways were adopted to take care of the sick. The skills in implementing these remedies were improved, followed by efficient transfer of nursing knowledge across generations. profession began as an art in homes where a family member or kin cared for the sick. However, presently it has developed in the form of a highly skilled service that meets the health needs of the society and the community. This essay will illustrate the different social factors that played a role in the evolution of this profession. In ancient culture, men cared for the sick and passed the information across generations verbally. Sickness was attributed to evil spirits. The Greeks laid emphasis on personal health and believed that environmental factors played an essential role in governing health. The first hospitals were established in the Roman Empire. These hospitals were charitable institutions that offered palliative care (Riva Cesana, 2013). Women performed the task of wet-nurses or midwives in such healthcare centres that were predominantly regulated by men.Nursing However, the trends of the sick and poor, receiving care in almshouses or hospitals were developed during the Renaissance period. This was because the period saw a huge interest in sciences and arts. Women were encouraged to abide by the social customs and stay home to enact the role of caregivers. The Elizabethan Poor Law was also established that intended to create a place where the sick, orphaned and the poor would be cared for. Private duty nurses began to care for the sick that were affluent. They were privately reimbursed and took part in doing other household tasks such as cooking and cleaning. The industrial revolution, which began in the late 18th century led to the development of several factories and migration of people to urban areas. Poor working conditions and overcrowding led to several health ailments (Masters, 2015). These changes acknowledged the role of nurses andnursing schools were established. However, most nursing care was performed by the female relatives of the sick. Modern nursing was influenced greatly by its founder, Florence Nightingale. Her involvement with the Establishment for Gentle Women During Illness and the Crimean war enhanced her nursing abilities. Her efforts in reforming healthcare, reducing morbidity and mortality rates during war to offer holistic care to the patients changed peoples perceptions on nursing. Her work motivated several women volunteers to take up nursing and made it a respectable profession (McDonald, 2014). This provided the idea that formal education of nurses and their role in advocating patient rights were essential features of nursing practice. Replacement of nursing diploma programs by baccalaureate degrees played were a significant step in development of the profession. The licensure of nurses was first advocated in 1901, at the International Council for Nurses conference and was first implemented by North Carolina. This led to licensing of all nurses by an examination such that they are able to practice nursing in the state they had taken the examination (Judd Sitzman, 2013). The Great Depression was another social force. It was a devastating crash of stock market that led to 30% unemployment, thereby affecting the wellbeing of the nation. People did not have enough money for food or healthcare facilities. Until the event, nurses mainly worked in private care homes and attended patients could afford such services (Egenes, 2017). After the crash, several nurses became unemployed. Trained nurses began to be appointed by hospitals to care for the patients in return of little money. Moreover, during the World War, the number of women who applied in the Army Nurse Cops gradually increased. The number of female nurses who served in the military, domesti cally and overseas increased enormously (Hallett, 2014). Furthermore, the implementation of health insurance and third-party payment concepts greatly affected nursing care. Several associations started developing reimbursement plans for medical services. Another major event that redesigned nursing was the Goldmark Report, which stated that needs of clients were put before the education needs of the nurses. This was identified as a major weakness and led to the development of several healthcare reforms. Thus, it can be stated that the present dynamics of the nursing system is unlike that of the earlier generations, due to changes in the society and evolution of the role of a nurse. Wars, economy, healthcare reforms, influence of leaders who were familiar with nursing principles, and insurance plans played an important role in changing the principles of the profession. References Egenes, K. J. (2017). History of nursing.Issues and trends in nursing: Essential knowledge for today and tomorrow (2nd ed., p.16). Jones Bartlett Learning. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=b9zPDQAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PA3dq=Egenes,+K.+J.+(2017).+History+of+nursing.+Issues+and+trends+in+nursing:+Essential+knowledge+for+today+and+tomorrow+ots=Lxv_Oqs5h7sig=c1pWNfGKwao8q2bwfJbo7SkVkgQ#v=onepageqf=false Hallett, C. E. (2014). A very valuable fusion of classes: British professional and volunteer nurses of the First World War.Endeavour,38(2), 101-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.endeavour.2014.05.001 Judd, D., Sitzman, K. (2013).A history of American nursing (2nd ed., p. 140). Jones Bartlett Publishers. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=Lm_h_fvxZboCoi=fndpg=PP2dq=Judd,+D.,+%26+Sitzman,+K.+(2013).+A+history+of+American+nursing+ots=qyplR5gYgXsig=c_9oW2WKLobxwMUWUyNuHPnZgw8#v=onepageqf=false Masters, K. (2015).Role development in professional nursing practice (4th ed., p. 11). Jones Bartlett Publishers. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=ftkBCwAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PR1dq=Masters,+K.+(2015).+Role+development+in+professional+nursing+practice+ots=nhQlIW_gFosig=l8yW20JU1x4XoYXqIiUAnV9BS50#v=onepageq=Masters%2C%20K.%20(2015).%20Role%20development%20in%20professional%20nursing%20practicef=false McDonald, L. (2014). Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole on nursing and health care.Journal of advanced nursing,70(6), 1436-1444. DOI:10.1111/jan.12291 Riva, M. A., Cesana, G. (2013). The charity and the care: the origin and the evolution of hospitals.European journal of internal medicine,24(1), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2012.11.002