Historical Development of Nursing Timeline
Historical Development of Nursing Timeline
Nursing originated from the intuitive approach of caring for the sick members of the family. The profession did not exist as a distinct discipline before the birth of Christ. In this period, nursing was based on instinctive actions and was not acquired from formal education. It did not require an evidence of training or education and was solely based on observation and experience. It was believed that it is a way of love, compassion, and kindness that was expected and performed by women. Nursing is said to be an action that accounts to the innate way of women in nurturing others (Potter, 2009).
During the intuitive period, people believed that sickness was caused by the invasion of the evil spirits or as a result of the anger of the Gods. The people on this era believed on witchcraft and magic. They come to the so called Shaman, medicine man or witch doctor that possesses a special power to cure and drive away illness by making use of prayers, sacrifices, hypnosis, charms, dances, incantation, white magic, dances, purgatives, massage, fire, water and herbs. Trephining is considered the last option to drive the evil spirits away from the body by drilling a hole in the skull with a stone without using any kind of anesthesia (Potter, 2009).
Many more eras came and every nation initiated specific practices and contribution in the nursing or medical profession. The Egyptians (4000 B.C.) mastered the art of embalming based from the awareness in particular body parts. They also placed the slaves and family members take care of the sick. The Babylonians (2000 to 1000 B.C), on the other hand believed in the Code of Hammurabi that provided with protocols that included medical regulations. They followed the practices such as paying fees and the right to choose medical procedures. The Indians (1000 to 500 B.C.) had described different types of diseases. They also developed a well-made sanitation system and provided the process of
Nursing originated from the intuitive approach of caring for the sick members of the family. The profession did not exist as a distinct discipline before the birth of Christ. In this period, nursing was based on instinctive actions and was not acquired from formal education. It did not require an evidence of training or education and was solely based on observation and experience. It was believed that it is a way of love, compassion, and kindness that was expected and performed by women. Nursing is said to be an action that accounts to the innate way of women in nurturing others (Potter, 2009).
During the intuitive period, people believed that sickness was caused by the invasion of the evil spirits or as a result of the anger of the Gods. The people on this era believed on witchcraft and magic. They come to the so called Shaman, medicine man or witch doctor that possesses a special power to cure and drive away illness by making use of prayers, sacrifices, hypnosis, charms, dances, incantation, white magic, dances, purgatives, massage, fire, water and herbs. Trephining is considered the last option to drive the evil spirits away from the body by drilling a hole in the skull with a stone without using any kind of anesthesia (Potter, 2009).
Many more eras came and every nation initiated specific practices and contribution in the nursing or medical profession. The Egyptians (4000 B.C.) mastered the art of embalming based from the awareness in particular body parts. They also placed the slaves and family members take care of the sick. The Babylonians (2000 to 1000 B.C), on the other hand believed in the Code of Hammurabi that provided with protocols that included medical regulations. They followed the practices such as paying fees and the right to choose medical procedures. The Indians (1000 to 500 B.C.) had described different types of diseases. They also developed a well-made sanitation system and provided the process of
References: George, J. (2011). Nursing Theories: The Base of Professional Nursing Practice (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Walker, L.O., & Avant, K.C. (2011). Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Potter, P.A., & Perry, G. (2009). Fundamentals of nursing (7th ed.). : Elsevier.