Historical Development of Nursing Timeline

877 Words4 Pages
Historical Development of Nursing Timeline
Tiffany C. Dovgan
NUR/513
October 15, 2012
Dolores Diehl

Historical Development of Nursing Timeline
The discipline or practice of nursing has developed over time and many nursing theorists contributed to the professional practice as we know it today. Nursing theories provide structure to the critical thinking and decision- making processes. Theory, research and applications to clinical practice are symbiotic as new concepts, practices and empirical data emerge professional practice changes or evolves. Florence Nightingale’s writings originating in 1859 are considered the first nursing theories postulated. She is known for decreasing mortality rates in hospitals during the Crimean War (George, 2011). She documentated her observations and data formulating her environmental theory by adjusting the environment she was able to decrease mortality. These concepts of providing fresh air, sanitation, light and clean water continue to remain important today. In additions some of her lesser known work included challenges to prejudices against women and focuses on unifying science and religion in a meaningful way. Hildegard Peplau published the first nursing theory in 1952 and was recognized internationally as a nurse leader. Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations Theory emphasized the nurse as a change agent for patients healing. This encouraged interaction between the patient and nurse including concepts of anxiety, frustration, conflict and needs (George, 2011). She describes four steps in the interactional process that are relevant to nurses; orientation, identification, exploitation and resolution (McCrae, 2011). Her work contributed to the development of the National Mental Health Act of 1946 as well as providing input to the World Health Organization and National Institute of Mental Health (George, 2011).

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