INTRODUCTION TO

PROFESSIONAL
NURSING (NUR251)
 INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
NUR 251

Objectives:
•State different definitions and themes of nursing
•Discuss the historical perspectives of nursing from past to present
•Describe the influence of Florence Nightingale on nursing
•Identify the factors influenced nursing profession
•Describe the history of nursing in Saudi Arabia
 WHAT IS NURSING?

Nursing is an autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families,

groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. It includes the promotion of
health, the prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people. (the
World Health Organization (WHO).

Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential

health problems (American Nurses Association (ANA), 1980).
THE UNIQUE FUNCTION OF
THE NURSE
“The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the
performance of activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful
death)". (Virginia Henderson, 1966, p.3).
 WHAT ARE THE COMMON THEMES IN
NURSING DEFINITIONS? (KOZIER & ERB'S, 2010).

health
client holisti health maintenanc
Caring centered c promotion e

health
scienc a helping restoration
an art adaptive
e profession
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES OF NURSING FROM
PAST TO PRESENT

1- Civilization
The folk image
The nurse was generally a member of the family or, if not, then a member of
the community who demonstrated a special skill in caring for others.
Nursing in this perspective was seen largely as a feminine role an extension
of mothering
Caring for others was an extension of their homemaker role
2- Christianity
The religious image
Religion emphasizes on beliefs like love and caring for others. Usually nursing
care was performed by monks and nuns.
Nursing care was provided in religious settings like church
 

Dark ages
5th-15th centuries
During this time, unfortunately, the knowledge of hygiene and sanitation gained
by Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and other ancient civilizations was forgotten.
3- Renaissance
16th-19h
The servant image (dark ages for nursing)
There were serious of wars and invasions
The care of the ill was delegated to servants and those unable to find any
other means of support. Therefore, nurses were prisoners, servants and slaves.
These women did not have any nursing educational background and they
gained knowledge from trail and errors and observing older monks or nuns
4- The modern
19th -20
The nurse image
The Crimean war
Credit is given to Florence Nightingale
A movement towards scientific, research based of nursing knowledge and
practice.
WHO IS FLORENCE
NIGHTINGALE?
She was born in 1820 and died in 1910
Born in Italy to wealthy English parents
Frustrated by lack of options for women of her social background
Defied parents and society and traveled to Germany and throughout
Europe to train as a nurse
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE DURING
CRIMEAN WAR
Nightingale found that conditions in the military hospitals were poor. The
absence of sewers and laundry facilities, the lack of supplies, the poor food, and
the disorganized medical services contributed to a death rate of more than 50%
among the wounded.
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE HEALTH
CONTRIBUTIONS

1. She established cleanliness and sanitation rules

2. Patients received special diets and plenty of food

3. Improved water supply

4. Patients received proper nursing care

“The act of utilizing the environment of the patient to assist him in his
recovery" (Nightingale, 1860).
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE NURSING
EDUCATION CONTRIBUTIONS

1. Today she is considered the founder of modern nursing

2. Established nursing school at St. Thomas’ Hospital, London.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES USED BY MISS.
NIGHTINGALE TO ESTABLISH HER NURSING
SCHOOL ON WERE:

1. Nurses would be trained in teaching hospitals associated with medical

schools.

2. The curriculum would include both theoretical material and practical

experience.

3. Nurse educators are responsible for the nursing care provided by students
and graduates of the nursing program.
 
WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE
WESTERN NURSING?

Gender
Social and cultural factors that influence nursing power have their roots in the
view of nursing as women's work
Religious (Christian) values
Such as, spiritual coaling and devotions to duty and hard work
WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT
INFLUENCE THE WESTERN NURSING?

Women’s roles
Nursing was a domestic role woman were expected to fulfill in the home.
The care provided related to physical maintenance and comfort.
War
Have emphasized the need for nursing
WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT
INFLUENCE THE WESTERN NURSING?

Societal attitudes
The persistent invisibility of a lot of nursing work decreases nursing's social
status and perceived value, contributing to powerlessness.
Nursing Leaders
Florence Nightingale, nursing education, nursing school
Nursing's history has influenced today's educational requirements, practice
settings, and roles.
HISTORY OF NURSING IN
ISLAM

At the beginning of Islam and during the Prophet Mohammed's time nursing
as a profession was recorded and encouraged by the Prophet in order to care
for wounded soldiers during the holy battles and wars. The female nurse was
referred to as "AlAsiyah" from the verb, aasa, meaning curing the wounds.

One woman from that period who has been identified as practicing nursing
long before Florence Nightingale was Rufaida Al-Asalmiya.
CONCLUSION
•Many themes were emerged from different nursing definitions.
•The nursing evolution from past to present went through up and down
experiences
•Florence Nightingale was the founder of nursing as a profession and the first
nursing school.
•Different factors paly important role in shaping the western nursing.
•Nursing shortage is universal issue, and Saudi Arabia is not an exception.
REFERENCES:

American Nurses Association (ANA): www.nursingworld.org

Aldossary, A., While, A., & Barriball, L. (2008) Health care and nursing in Saudi
Arabia. International Nursing Review, 55(1), 125-128.
Black, B. (2016) Professional Nursing: Concept & Challenges. 8th ed. USA:
Saunders Publishing.
Kozier, E. & Erbs, K. (2016) Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th ed. USA: Pearson
Prentices.