American Nurse: The Backbone of Medicine

Since the beginning of colonization in the Americas nurses have been at the forefront of medicine. In all of the important stages of our countries development nurses have been there to care for the sick, heal the wounded, and provide a caring hand. They have created a growing and developing profession. Nurses have changed the scope of healthcare and patient care in the United States.

In colonial America much of what we considered modern medicine had not even been thought of yet. In the 18th century nursing was not a profession yet. In America most people were not able to reach a trained medical doctor they relied on the help of the woman of the house. So during the colonial time most of the actual medical care provided was based in the home of the patient. Most of what these women knew was either taught to them by their mothers or by a “guidebook”. In these guidebooks women were able to find helpful recipes for herbal medications. They only time that women worked outside of the home was to serve as midwife to other women. Women competed with men for success because women helping other women during childbirth made more sense than men. However it wasn’t until the Revolutionary War that women really stood up and the field of nursing really began in the United States.

During the Revolutionary War women played an important role as nurses to the soldiers and were even paid. Women were so important during this time because they were able to provide the necessary general care for the soldiers like wound dressing, bed cleaning, making meals, and even making and providing medications. Women really helped because they were able to take some of the burden of the “doctor” who could be responsible for up to 600 soldiers at a time. (PDF)

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...DNP. At this point 16 states even allow nurses that have a doctors or master degree to practice independently as primary care provides while other states allow for nurses with these advanced degrees to practice under the supervision of a licensed doctor.

Since the start of the colonies in the United States nursing has been at the forefront of patient care. It all began in the home and moved to the battlefield during any time that Americans where in need. Since that time nursing has evolved from nurses just trying to provide basic care into nurses being a doctors eyes and ears when he cannot be around his patients and even providing primary care. Nurses have always stepped forward to be on the front lines of medical care. This process is continuing with nurses now continuing their educations to achieve the highest levels possible so they can help the most patients.