Nursing Foundations · History of Nursing & Nursing as a profession
History of Nursing & Nursing as a Profession
Nursingdefinition
Both an art and a science, integrating evidence-based knowledge with compassionate, holistic care.
in simple words: Science = anatomy, physiology, critical thinking. Art = empathy, patient-centred application.
Why nursing is a profession
The primary focus of nursing practice is promoting and maintaining health — prevent illness, restore health, help patients cope with disability or death. Nursing has an independent scope of practice: assessment, diagnosis and patient advocacy, in addition to executing medical orders. Care of the sick and alleviation of suffering is traditional nursing; cure through independent diagnosis and prescribing belongs to medicine.
ANA definition – American Nurses Association, 1980 Social Policy Statement
- Nursing = diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness
- Established nursing as an autonomous profession with its own body of knowledge
- WHO gives a broad global definition covering health promotion and care for all people
Core components of nursing practice
- 1. – Professionalism
- 2. – Holism
- 3. – Caring — the most unique characteristic and essence of nursing
- 4. – Communication
- 5. – Critical thinking