Fundamental of

nursing – I

Unit I – History &

Development of Nursing

By AFSHAN ALI
MSN (AKU), BSN (AKU)
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
& NCLEX Trainer
NCLEX & AHPRA Licensed
Objectives
After this chapter, students will be able to understand:
• Summary of ancient cultures
• Site of health care in ancient cultures
• Islam and nursing
• The founder of nursing
• Historical perspective
• Nursing in Mughal period
• Nursing defined by different scholar
• Definition of nursing by who
• Types of nursing educational programme
• History of nursing education in Pakistan
 Background
Nursing has evolved over hundreds
of years, influenced by which the sick
were cared for…
Nurse  comes from Latin Word
Meaning “to nourish” or “to cherish”
 Definition of Nursing
Nursing is a profession focused on assisting individuals, families,
and communities in attaining, re-attaining and maintaining optimal
health and functioning. Certain themes are common to many of
the definitions:
 Nursing is caring
 Nursing is an art
 Nursing is a science
 Nursing is client centered
 Nursing is concerned with health promotion, health maintenance.
 Nursing is a helping profession
Kozier, B., Erb, G., Berman, A., & Snyder, S. (2004)
Cont…
Nursing is Caring
Rooted in compassion and empathy.
Nursing is an art
Nursing requires creativity and intuition in
delivering personalized care.
Nursing is a science
Nursing is grounded on evidence-based
practice.
Early Civilization (Egyptians)
• Egypt Ancient physicians were highly skilled in
internal diseases, fractured bones, and wound
care. This indicates that there was already a
division of specialties in ancient Egyptian
medicine.
• Egyptian physicians would employ women,
specifically for assisting in childbirth. These
women were the earliest recorded individuals to
provide nursing care.
Early Civilization (Greece)
• In ancient Greek society, Apollo was considered the god
of healing, so they prayed to Apollo for magical cures to
their illnesses. This reflects how early Greek medicine
was deeply intertwined with religion and superstition.

• Hippocrates (400 B.C.): Known as the "Father of

Medicine," proposing that diseases had natural
causes rather than being caused by supernatural
forces or magic. Humoral theory was also developed by
Hippocrates (4 humors – Blood, phlegm, yellow bile,
and black bile)

• After Hippocrates, the scientific reasoning, diagnosis,

marked the beginning of clinical observations
Early Civilization (Romans)
• Romans played a central role in advancing health
practice as Roman Empire was often at war, and
caring for wounded soldiers was essential.

• Military hospitals (called valetudinarian) were

established, especially near military outposts, to
care for injured soldiers. These early hospitals
marked one of the first organized systems of
healthcare.
Middle ages (Christianity)
• Nursing was still not a formal profession but
this era considered as the beginning of
formality in care of the sick, that was
provided by family members or slaves.
• Mostly nuns and monks provided the care to
poor, sick, wounded.
• Their slogan was “Love thy neighbor as
thyself"
Florence Nightingale Era
• Florence Nightingale (1820–1910): The most
significant development in 19th-century nursing
was the work of Florence Nightingale, considered
the founder of modern nursing. Her efforts during
the Crimean War (1853–1856) to improve
sanitation, nutrition, and hospital organization
drastically reduced mortality rates among soldiers.
• She is famous with name of guardian angel or
angel of mercy, and lady with the lamp.
• She established the first secular nursing school,
The Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas’
Hospital in London in 1860.
Site of Health Care in Ancient Culture
• BC to 500 AD  Temple and Church 
Treatment was on the basis of religion or
magic.
• During wars  Military Tents
• Romans established Valetudinarian which were
the military hospitals.
• In India  Emperor Ashoka  Hospitals
established with proper care and sanitation
• Ancient China 2000BCE Traditional Chinese
meds  home, temple, acupuncture clinic.
Islam & Nursing
• Arab nursing  Rufaida Al Aslamiya
(7th Century)
• First nurse in the Islamic and the
eastern world. She accompanied
Prophet Mohammad PBUH.
• Organized a field and prepared
the group of volunteer females to
provide care to soldiers.
Cont…
• She was an advocate for health care.
• Rufaida designed code of ethics for
nursing and medical care.
• Pioneer in her nursing era.
• Received clinical expertise from her
father who was a physician.
• She established a school, and taught
Muslim female about first aid and
emergency care.
Founder of Nursing
• Florence Nightingale  Founder of Modern Nursing
• She has written many notes, books, and letters; 2
are famous:

1. "Notes on Nursing: What It Is and What It Is Not" (1859)

2. "Notes on Hospitals" (1859)
Nursing by WHO
"Nursing encompasses autonomous and
collaborative care of individuals of all ages,
families, groups, and communities, sick or well, and in
all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health,
the prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled,
and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe
environment, research, participation in shaping health
policy, patient and health systems management, and
education are also key nursing roles."
Nursing Associations and Organizations
• International Council of Nurses (1899)
• Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) 1948
• Pakistan Nursing Federation (PNF) 1972
• National Students Nurses Association (1968)
• International Red Cross Society (IRCS) (1864)
• Sigma Theta Tau International (Rho Delta chapter)
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF NURSES (ICN)

• ICN is the oldest international organization for professional health

• care field
• ICN was established in 1899 at a meeting of the international
• Council of Women in London
• For nearly a century ICN has served as the authoritative voice of
the nursing professional world wide
• It is a federation of various National Nurse Associations’ from 118
countries.
• ICN first organization to adopt a policy of non discrimination
based on nationality, race, creed, color, politics, gender or social
status.
ICN Code of Ethics (Responsibilities)
Nurses have four fundamental
responsibilities
• To promote health,
• To prevent illness,
• To restore health,
• To alleviate suffering.
Pakistan Nursing Council
• PNC established in 1948
• Regulatory body and empowered to register (license)
Nurses, Midwifes and Lady Health Visitor (LHV)
• Function
– Curriculum development
– Registration
– Inspection and approval of educational institution
– Work with Provincial nursing examination etc…
Pakistan Nursing Federation
• Independent Organization
• Registered in July 1972
• Type of Organization: Professional organization
(trade union).
• Affiliation: Member of the International Council of
Nurses (ICN).
• Primary Role: The PNF is a professional
association and advocacy group that represents
the interests of nurses in Pakistan at both
national and international levels.
International Red Cross Society
• A relief agency for immediate action in
time of war
• Founder: Jean Henry Dunant
• Founded in 1863 in Geneva
WHO
• It is an intergovernmental agency under
the United Nations
• Aim is to bring all people in the world to
the highest level of health
• Major activities are to provide assistance
to countries by improving health
standards, education and training to fight
diseases.
STTI
• SIGMA THETA TAU INTERNATIONAL (1922)
by INDIANA SON
• Mission: To develop nurse leaders
anywhere to improve healthcare
everywhere.
• Vision: Connected, empowered nurse
leaders transforming global healthcare.
Nursing History in Pakistan
• In 1947:
– British nurses gone to England
– Only about 500 qualified nurses were in the
newly formed country
• There were only three school of nursing were
existing:
– Lady reading hospital, Peshawar (1927)
– Mayo hospital, Lahore (1871)
– Civil hospital, Karachi (1898)
Nursing History in Pakistan
• In 1948-1949, Fatima Jinnah and Begum Rana
Liaquat Ali Khan played pivotal roles in advancing
nursing education in Pakistan. During this period,
four schools of nursing were established

• SON, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre,

Karachi.
• Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore.
• Two schools in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Nursing History in Pakistan
• Early 1960s:
– Certificate programme was replaced by
Diploma programme

• In 1987:Revision of Nursing Curriculum

– 1988 Post RN BScN programme first started by
School of Nursing at the Aga Khan University
(AKUSON)
Nursing History in Pakistan
In 1997 School of Nursing Aga Khan
University
• Started BSN (Four years) programme.
• In 2001 Aga Khan University SON started
MScN.
References
• [Link]
• [Link]
2258_ch01_roux.pdf
• [Link]
nursing/[Link]
• [Link]
story-of-nursing-as-a-profession/#.V49825O7iko
• [Link]