Notes on Nursing
Notes on Nursing: What it is and What it is Not is a book first published by
In her introduction to the 1974 edition, Joan Quixley, then head of the
The book included advice and practices for the following areas:
- ventilation and warming
- health in houses
- petty management (how things are done by others when you must be away)
- noise
- variety (environment)
- taking food and what kinds of food
- bed and bedding
- light
- cleanliness of rooms
- personal cleanliness
- chattering hopes and advices (the false assurances and recommendations of family and friends to the sick)
- observation of the sick
Much of her advice and practices are considered to be very timely, and are applicable to this day. She had a very holistic approach- making the claim that the symptoms of disease were not due to the disease itself, rather symptoms were caused by wants (ex. the desire for quietness, or for cleanliness).
Context
Prior to the Civil War, nursing was centralized mainly to family. It was the domestic act of caring for loved ones that were sick. However, nursing began to shift from simple home care to hospital care. The shift in nursing began during the Civil War, when around 20,000 men and women served as nurses in hospitals for both the North and South. These nurses offered support, assisted surgeons, administered medication, and much more. Soon after the war, Nightingale published Notes on Nursing. This was during a pivotal time, and was a critical aspect of the evolution of nursing. After this, nursing began to be increasingly recognized as a professional career. Here is a link to a better article that explores the entire history of nursing:
History of nursing in the United States
Impact
The publication of nursing ideals led to many advancements in the nursing field, nursing began to be recognized more professionally, thus training became more standardized. Much of this training was inspired by Nightingale.
In 1873, 14 years after the publication of Notes on Nursing, nurse training became formalized. Three separate programs arose (New York Training School, Connecticut Training School, and Boston Training School), and all programs were based on ideals from Nightingale, and are regarded as "Nightingale schools". 27 years later, in 1900, there were between 400 and 800 nursing schools nationally. [6]
Many of Nightingale's principles continue to inform modern nursing education and practice, signifying the timeless relevance of her work. In the nursing field, she is still widely revered as an inspirational figure. This book remains incredibly relevant today, with multiple editions.
Later editions of Notes on Nursing are available to the public today.
References
- ^ Nightingale, Florence (1859). Notes on Nursing: What it is and What it is Not. London: Harrison. Retrieved 28 November 2018 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Nightingale, Florence (1860). Notes on Nursing: What it is and What it is Not (2nd ed.). London: Harrison. Retrieved 29 November 2018 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Women's History
- ISSN 0002-936X.
- ISBN 0-216-89974-5.
- ^ "American Nursing: An Introduction to the Past". www.nursing.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
The 2009 edition of Notes on Nursing: A Guide for today's care givers is published by Elsevier in conjunction with the International Council of Nurses.
External links
- Contents of the 1860 First American Edition book online
- Notes on Nursing public domain audiobook at LibriVox
- Notes on Nursing: Dr Constance B Schuyler (1992), contains facsimile of First Edition published in London 1859
- Florence Nightgale - Notes on Nursing Audio and text site of this book that shaped the early development of modern nursing.