According to Blias and Hayes (2011), “Much of nursing’s development is related to the need to provide care to sick and injured soldiers during times of war.” Caring for wounded soldiers has highly contributed to the development of nursing in world history. Conditions on the battlefield were deplorable and no better in the military hospitals so a plea for nurses was made. Both the Union and Confederate women responded as well as the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of the Holy Cross. The religious orders were devoted and known for providing care to the sick. The sisters were known for their attentive and skilled nursing care.
Using my own research i will discover whether the World War One had a positive effect on the role of women. After the immediate rise in female unemployment at the beginning of the war due to the ‘middle-classes wish to economise’ (first world war, accessed 07/01/09), the only option to replace the volunteers gone to front was to employ women in the jobs they had left behind. This was supported by all the major feminist groups, who suddenly ‘became avid patriots and organisers of the women in support of the war effort’ (war and gender, accessed 22/01/09). Overall women’s employment increased from ‘three million in 1914 to five million in 1918’ (Murphy, p373, 2000). For many of the women the war was ‘a genuinely liberating experience’ (first world war, accessed 07/01/09), and made the women feel useful as citizens.
There was a massive disruption of the industries in which women were mostly employed, such as dress-making and textiles. This, in the end, was actually a benefit. As war work became available, such as munitions factories, many of those women could now work in a higher paid job as well as do their part in the war effort. Women in the domestic services even left their jobs in order to work for higher paid jobs2. The first world war gave women more opportunity in the workplace as more occupations were open to them and the war also
(2) As a result of the Commission's efforts, the disease death rate of the Union Army was reduced and millions of dollars were raised in support of the Northern war effort. The US Sanitary Commission was formed by civilians who wanted to support the Union soldiers and prevent the numbers of deaths by disease seen in previous wars. During the recent Crimean War, 1853-1856, disease caused four out of five British soldiers to die. In an effort to prevent more deaths, the British Sanitary Commission was established. The BSC appointed a nurse named Florence Nightingale to oversee the conditions of the hospitals in the Crimea.
Secondly, the women kept the country going by sustaining the country’s labor needs. Thirdly, they provided munitions that were essential for the soldiers in the battlefield. Lastly, during war time, some British women chose to volunteer as nurses, cooks and helpers to assist male soldiers in the army. It is through these ways that British women held crucial roles during the war even though they did not directly participate in it. As soon as the war broke out, the women of Britain suspended their campaign for the franchise, and boosted recruitment among the country.
They felt there was nothing they could do for them that would compensate for their sacrifice. Graduated from Army School of Nursing, with high standard of giving service to the people who need it. Aware that lodged in her “feeble mind” is more information in nursing and healthcare than most nurses. In 1950’s did a survey and assessment all over this country in about ¾ of the US. Met the most wonderful people.
To what extent did the First World War change the lives of women in Britain? The First World War was a time of loss, heartbreak and an endless fight for victory. It was the worst war the world had ever seen. But in amongst all of this suffering came an unexpected but positive outcome for women in Britain which had a huge effect on their lives. A wider range of jobs became available to them, they gained more independence and weren’t viewed as second citizens but most importantly, World War One lead to women in Britain gaining the vote.
Not only did they prove their abilities in these situations, but thrived in them and made drastic reductions in the mortality count of the soldiers dying from preventable infections. It is along with many other accomplishments and accolades received over the years by Florence Nightingale that we refer to her as the pioneer or founder of the nursing profession. This article still holds true for nursing today as a pioneering effort in the ever changing world of healthcare. Most all healthcare facilities now utilize the evidenced-based approach to the nursing practice. Some of the same struggles that Florence Nightingale went through over 100 years ago are still at the forefront of nursing today.
In February 2006, Emily Jerry, a two-year old child was at a Cleveland hospital to complete her last series of chemotherapy treatment. Her doctor ordered intravenous chemotherapy solution that was filled incorrectly by a pharmacy technician. The prescription called for 1% saline; however, a lethal amount of 23% saline was given instead, causing her to slip into a coma resulting in death. Eric Cropp, who was the supervising pharmacist signed off on the technician’s work despite her informing him that the mixture did not look right; nonetheless, he approved it. The pharmacy was so busy that day and short staffed, which led to a preventable fatal error that changed Eric’s whole life in a matter of seconds.
Nursing shortages remained post-World War II and dramatically effected the roles of medical professionals The Red Cross attempted to assist by providing education to the population in the form of home nursing courses and certified nursing assistants. Much of the care provided was done in the community and home settings. Because of this, the scope of practice for public health nursing professionals grew. As a result from war, health institutes were faced with ever increasing social, emotional, and psychological patient population. Many infectious diseases were also prevalent (such as tuberculosis).