Thanks to Contemporary Nursing

The Nursing Practice has come a very long way from what is use to be. Nursing was an unwanted profession, difficult and challenging in many ways. It was thanks to the dedication, great effort and sacrifice of many determined nurses that paved the way for contemporary nursing. Dating back to around middle of the first century Christians use to care and tend the sick, serving as one of the first nurses that history can account. When the small pox epidemic occurred in around 165 to 185 AD, these Christians served as nurses. Now, we can imagine how hard it would have been to be a nurse in those days. The conditions were deplorable, with barely any hygiene. There were harsh conditions to work as nurse, and viruses like the measles outbreak in around 250 AD; only worsen the situation. Just think how hard it is for professionals now days to care for people when a disaster occurs. Well, back in those days when the resources were scarce, it was chaotic to tend the sick in such deplorable conditions.

Many difficulties continued to plague the nursing field throughout the ages. During the Crimean war, in the nineteenth century, a woman by the name of Florence Nightingale became famous for her contributions to nursing (Nies and McEwen, 2011). Nightingale laid down the foundation for all the professional nurses. It was not easy for her to overcome the challenges of that era. At first, her parents opposed her decision to become a nurse (Joel, 2006). That did not stop Nightingale from fulfilling her purpose and goals. Before she could achieve those merits, she went through the Crimean war. Many soldiers died, it must have been devastating for a nurse at the time to endure that amount of soldiers dying daily. Soldiers not only died from gunshots,...

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...ursing pioneers. While looking to the future, it is as important to look back in history and reminisce on the essence that forms the fundamental base of nursing. It is great way to transport ourselves to a different period in time, where we can receive a good amount of inspiration. This inspiration will later produce its fruits and just maybe one of us could become the next great example in nursing.

Works Cited

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN): White paper on the role of the clinical nurse leader, 2007, website. www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/WhitePapers/Clinicalnurseleader.htm. Accessed July 21, 2007.

Bahr L, Johnson B: Collier’s encyclopedia, volume 18, New York, 1997, Simon and Schuster.

Zwygart-stauffacher, M., & Mirr Jansen, M. P (2010). Advanced Practice Nursing: Core Concepts for Professional Role Development. New York, NY: Springer.