See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/371227566

History of Nursing and Their Role in Modern Healthcare Section: Research

Paper

Article in European Chemical Bulletin · January 2023

CITATIONS READS

0 1,390

5 authors, including:

Ruparani Bodduru Golda Sahaya

MNR Group of Institution Shri Sathya Sai College of Nursing
12 PUBLICATIONS 190 CITATIONS 5 PUBLICATIONS 7 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Smitha Poovathinkal Madhavan

Narayana College of Nursing, Nellore
20 PUBLICATIONS 6 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Smitha Poovathinkal Madhavan on 02 June 2023.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

History of Nursing and Their Role in Modern Healthcare Section: Research Paper

History of Nursing and Their Role in Modern Healthcare

Indira Arumugam1, B. Vanaja Kumari2, Dr. Ruparani Bodduru3,
Dr.Golda Sahaya Rani.R4, Smitha Poovathinkal Madhavan5
1
Professor, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Narayana College of Nursing, India,
indiraarumugam28@gmail.com
2
Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, Narayana College of Nursing, India,
bnreddy290@gmail.com
3
Professor, Department of periodontics, MNR dental college and hospital, Sangareddy, India
drrupaprakash@gmail.com
4
Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Shri Sathya Sai College of Nursing
Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be university), India
goldarani@gmail.com
5
Professor, Department of Mental Health Nursing, Narayana College of Nursing, India
devuharish@gmail.com, spmadhavan@lincoln.edu.my

Abstract
Nurses play an essential role in society in improving healthcare facilities among the people.
The history of professional nursing traditionally begins with Florence Nightingale in the mid-
19th century. The nursing facilities all over the world are evolving day to day due to
technological advancement all over the world. This study will focus on the history of nursing
and how the nursing facilities evolve over the time. Additionally, the role of nursing in the
modern healthcare system has also been evaluated throughout the study and how technology
and other factors changed the nursing facilities in present time. The nurses all over the world
play a significant role in care giving, managing patients and assisting doctors in order to give
direct care to the patients. In this study, secondary quantitative data sets are collected from
other research papers and journals for analysing the role of nursing in modern society.
Results of the analysis have been discussed in the discussion and data analysis section. The
discussion section of this study has emphasised on the role of nursing in the modern
healthcare system. Consequently, this study includes providing recommendations to improve
nursing systems all over the world and overcoming different healthcare issues in future.
Keywords: Nursing, healthcare system, nursing facilities, history of nursing
1. Introduction
Nursing is an integral part of the healthcare system and it is an important profession that
plays a crucial role in patient safety and care. Nurses' role in the healthcare system is difficult
to evaluate as it has numerous unspecified aspects. When nurses’ work is neglected it affects
public health and the healthcare facility negatively. Historically, professional nursing started
with the Florence nightingale in the mid-19th century and it evolved over time. This study is
performed to determine the historic background of nursing and to understand the role of
nursing facilities in modern healthcare. Besides, this study is also performed to evaluate the
role of nursing in the healthcare system of the modern age.

1442
Eur. Chem. Bull. 2023, 12(Special Issue 1), 1442-1449
History of Nursing and Their Role in Modern Healthcare Section: Research Paper

1.1 Aim of the study

The main purpose and aim of the study are to understand the history of nursing and how
nursing facilities evolve over time. Besides, the study will also focus on the role of nursing in
modern times.
Objectives
● To evaluate the history of nursing facilities in the healthcare system
● To determine the evolution of nursing facilities over time in the healthcare system
● To understand the role of nursing facilities in the modern healthcare system
1.2 Significance of the study
Nursing is an inseparable part of the healthcare system which encompasses the
promotion of health and the prevention of physical and mental illness. The nursing profession
is associated with public health care and it is also important for ensuring the physical and
mental health of people. The nursing facility in the world evolves over time from its
beginning. Therefore, understanding the historical background of nursing and the evolution
of nursing is very important. Healthcare facilities are crucial for society to give people a
healthy and tension-free life. Considering this, the main focus of the study is to determine the
role of the nursing profession in modern healthcare. Hence, the following study bears
significance for having a core idea regarding the history and role of nursing.
1.3 Operational definition
Nursing practices
Nursing practice is the systematic approach of substantial specialised proficiency and skills
that are derived from the physical, behavioural and biological sciences to care for and provide
treatment to physically and mentally ill people. Nursing practices also encompass assisting
physicians and other health care experts to provide patients care and advice to get a healthy
life.
Healthcare
Healthcare refers to the maintaining and restoring of health through the treatment, lifestyle
modification and prevention of disease specifically by trained and licensed professionals.
Healthcare basically refers to the prevention and treatment to get a physically and mentally
healthy life.
2. History of Nursing
The word “Nurse” originated from the Latin word “Nutrire” but in the late 16th
century it attained its modern meaning which is “person who cares for the infirm”.
Historically, professional nursing started with Florence Nightingale in the 19th century [1].
Nightingale challenged social norms by becoming a nurse. At that time, the public objected to
the idea of women's nursing but nightingale saw it as an opportunity for women to serve the
community. She believed that patient care can be improved by using education and scientific
knowledge. The nursing profession's evolution accelerated later during the American civil
war [2]. Fighting erupted in North and South America due to the civil war. Women, mostly
the mistresses or wives of soldiers, began following the armies and primarily, they treated the
sick troops suffering from pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria and typhoid. Besides, the volunteer
nurses and sometimes the female slaves helped to save a huge number of lives.
Consequently, respect for nursing grew over time among Americans and all over the world.
During different epidemics such as cholera, smallpox and typhus, men played a significant

1443
Eur. Chem. Bull. 2023, 12(Special Issue 1), 1442-1449
History of Nursing and Their Role in Modern Healthcare Section: Research Paper

role at that time. Stephen Girard won the hearts of the citizens of Philadelphia for his
courageous and compassionate nursing of the victims during the yellow fever epidemic.
During urbanisation and industrialisation, different hospitals and healthcare centres were
established where some patients received excellent care [3]. Women and men from the
religious nursing orders were generally known for the quality nursing facilities provided in
the established hospitals. Hospitals formed their training institutes to train nurses for
providing people with more effective and good services. Lectures and clinical instructions are
provided to the students to educate them and make them competent for giving quality
healthcare to the patients. The Crimean war and both the World wars are significant for
improving facilities around the world [4]. At the time of war men and women from different
professions came to treat the injured and sick soldiers and that helped society to understand
the importance of nurses.
3. Evolution of nursing over time
Professional nursing facilities started in the early 19th century and wars played a
significant role to improve nursing awareness among the people. The evolution of nursing
facilities started after the 19th century and modern-day nursing is different from the time of
the Crimean war [5]. Nursing facilities have changed over time specifically in the education
and training areas of nursing. Technology and healthcare awareness are the main factors that
help in the evolution of nursing facilities. Presently nurses have to perform a wide range of
work that includes taking vital symptoms of patients, recording medical histories, and
conducting physical examinations and they also have to work under the instruction of
physicians. Nurses are getting proper training to perform these works and technology helps
them to perform these works efficiently.
Different nursing training institutes were formed after the 19th century to make nurses
competent for performing different works in patient care. The evidence-based practice began
in the 1990s and appeared after 2000 nursing [6]. Evidence-based practice is a systematic
approach that integrates clinical experience with scientific knowledge. It helps to improve
nursing practice for the patients and it is also effective to get a positive outcome for sick
patients. Evidence-based practice is useful in recent times to identify clinical problems and
streamline the healthcare process. Not only has the practice approach of nursing changed over
time but also the resources of nursing changed over time due to technological advancement.
Advanced equipment and diagnosis techniques are the main cause of change in nursing
facilities. Professional nurses work independently and in collaboration with other healthcare
professionals and nursing is becoming a popular profession globally. Around 2.9 million
registered nurses in the United States alone and that determines nursing facilities in the
modern age are improving [7].
4. Subjects and methods
Research methods and designs are the techniques and processes that are used in the
research study to understand and evaluate the issue. Determining effective research methods
is important to perform a research study efficiently. During the research different research
types, philosophies, and data collection methods are needed to understand the research study
more efficiently... This research follows the exploratory research design to understand the
role of nursing in modern days. Research philosophy is also important for a research study
and it gives insight into ideas to perform research effectively. The interpretivism research

1444
Eur. Chem. Bull. 2023, 12(Special Issue 1), 1442-1449
History of Nursing and Their Role in Modern Healthcare Section: Research Paper

philosophy has been followed in this research and this philosophy helps to identify the main
factors that need to focus on during the study [8]. This research study follows the secondary
qualitative data collection methods to perform the research study more efficiently. The
secondary qualitative data collection method is time efficient and it is also reliable for the
study [9]. During the data collection, authentic journals, websites and newspaper articles that
are published after 2018 are selected to collect data.
It makes this research more authentic and reliable and data analysis is also an important part
of a research study, it gives an overall understanding of the outcome and helps to evaluate the
outcomes of the study. This research has followed the qualitative data analysis method that
makes this research study more time efficient. During the data analysis process, different
themes have been formed according to the role of nursing in the modern age. This thematic
analysis is crucial to understand the issue more prominently and it gives the advantage in the
evaluation of research results [10]. During the research different ethical aspects have been
considered to make the research study ethically correct
5. Result
5.1 Factors that help to evolve nursing facilities over the time
Professional nursing facilities started in the early 90s and evolved over time and
nursing has grown in complexity from its origination. Few factors are there that help nursing
facilities to evolve over time. New development in nursing facilities including education,
training, advanced automated equipment and diversity among the nurses are influenced more
to evolve nursing facilities. Development is the most effective tool to evolve any service and
development in the healthcare sector is the most effective here to provide optimal treatments
to patients. Technology plays a significant role in healthcare facility development. Emerging
telehealth facilities and the innovation of automated equipment are crucial parts of today's
medical facilities [11]. Telehealth facility helps patients to get nursing advice over the phone
and it also helps the nursing staff to provide care to more people in a small time frame.
Advanced automated diagnostic equipment and caregiving instruments are the main pillar of
evolution in nursing facilities.
This equipment makes nursing staff more efficient and accurate at their work. Education in
the nursing profession is very important to give care to needy people. The education system
of nursing facilities is more advanced than before and it is more scientific. Evidence-based
practices are the main pillar of success in the nursing education system. [12] Presently,
nurses adopt evidence-based practice methods to get success in caregiving to needy people.
Curriculums of bachelor's degree in nursing are mainly focused on the evidence-based
learning method and also pay attention to the practical trial methods which enable nursing
professionals to be more capable in caregiving to patients.
Diversity including ethnicity and gender is the main factor that helps to evolve the nursing
system globally. Presently, the patient population is more diverse than before at the same
time, inequalities in society are increasing. These days, people from different cast, ethnicity,
genders and cultures are taking training from nursing institutes for giving healthcare to
patients. Diversity among the nurses helps to remove discrimination among the patients and
the diversification of the nursing workforce is important to address issues and helps to give
effective treatment to the patients.

1445
Eur. Chem. Bull. 2023, 12(Special Issue 1), 1442-1449
History of Nursing and Their Role in Modern Healthcare Section: Research Paper

Figure 1: Factors that influence nursing facility evolution

(Source: Influenced by [12] )
5.2 Role of nursing in modern healthcare
Nurses are the primary caregivers to the patients and are responsible for
understanding the complex treatment measurements of a patient. Nurses work individually
and also work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to give patients optimum
healthcare facilities. Registered nurse has multiple responsibilities to their patients. Nurses
organised the patient's care and the primary role of nurses is educating patients about their
healthcare awareness. They link the patients and a multidisciplinary team to provide cohesive
medical treatments to sick people. Nurses have essential duties to provide patients with
optimum treatment for improving the health of sick people. [13] Essential duties are centred
around the different roles of the nurse and these include the following responsibilities
Medication and treatment administration is the primary role of nurses in giving
healthcare facilities. Nursing professionals assist patients with medication and other
healthcare advice to improve patients' health. They identify the symptoms and collect
previous medical records that help the physicians to make treatment planning. Client
education is also a crucial part to give people a healthy and tension-free life and nurses play a
significant role in giving healthcare education to the people. Nurses educate people about the
different health-related complications and make them aware of the symptoms. They also
educate people about prevention measures for certain health-related issues. Diagnosis is the
most important aspect of treating physically and mentally ill patients and nurses play a crucial
role in diagnosing diseases.
Advanced technology evolves the healthcare system in the modern age and healthcare
equipment evolves with time. Therefore, operating modern healthcare equipment is the most
important part of caregiving to sick people. Due to modern training in nursing institutes,
nurses learn to operate this new equipment and that helps them to diagnose people and
deliver care to the patients. Case management is an important part of treating patients with
severe complications. Nurses help other healthcare professionals to manage the case which
helps doctors and other caregivers to plan treatment for sick people [14]. Nurses make
records related to the medication and diagnosis reports from time to time and it helps doctors
to suggest further procedures for the patient. Besides, nurses are the communicator between
physicians and patients. They monitor the patient from time to time and inform doctors

1446
Eur. Chem. Bull. 2023, 12(Special Issue 1), 1442-1449
History of Nursing and Their Role in Modern Healthcare Section: Research Paper

about the physical and mental condition of the patient. It helps to keep severe patients out of
danger and also helps to get out of the health-related issues of the patients.
6. Discussion
Nursing facilities are important in caregiving to physically and mentally sick people
and it originated in the early 90s. After the origination, nursing facilities around the world
evolved over time. Different factors have played a significant role in this evolution and these
factors also help the patient to optimum nursing facilities in the modern age. Development in
the healthcare sector, telehealth facility, advanced automated equipment, educational
development and diversification of the nursing profession are the main factors which
influence the evolution of nursing facilities. Telehealth services play a significant role in
caregiving to patients [15]. Telehealth facility helps the nursing staff to give proper advice
over the phone to the patients. It enables them to attend to more patients in a small time frame
and makes nursing facilities more efficient. Advanced automated diagnostic and caregiving
equipment make nursing staff more capable to give optimum care to patients.
Educational development is the major factor that evolves nursing facilities over time.
Advanced training and education in nursing enable nursing staff to identify diseases and also
help to give care to patients. Diversification of ethnicity, caste and gender is the most
influential in the improvement of nursing facilities over time. It enables them to understand
the issues prominently and makes them more capable to deliver the optimum care to the
patients. Nursing facilities and the role of nursing staff have evolved over time. Nurses give
assistance to physicians and other healthcare experts by providing health-related advice to
patients. Medication and treatment administration is the main role of nursing staff in recent
days. Nursing staff observe different symptoms of patients and provide health advice to get a
healthy life.
These days, nurses have a crucial role in improving patients' education and awareness. They
provide advice to the patients related to their physical and mental complications and it helps
them to live healthy and tension-free lives. These days, nurses are capable of handling
different advanced diagnostic equipment and they can diagnose patients effectively. It makes
treating patients easy for physicians and makes the healthcare system more reliable. Nursing
staff plays a significant role in the patient's case management. Nursing staff these days makes
medication and diagnosis report-related records to assist doctors in treatment procedures [16].
Nurses act as the communicator between physicians and patients and that improves the health
care facility.
7. Conclusion
Nurses are considered the main pillar of the healthcare system for assisting doctors
and other healthcare experts to treat patients prominently. Nurses play a significant role in
providing healthcare and also give advice to patients to live healthy and tension-free lives. On
this note, technological development is the main factor that helps nursing facilities to improve
over time. Telehealth facilities and advanced automated equipment are important factors in
improving the nursing and healthcare system. Besides, the educational development and
diversification of ethnicity, race, caste and gender also help the nursing facility to improve in
recent times. Modern healthcare facilities depend on the nursing staff and they play a
significant role in medication and treatment administration, diagnosis, patient case
management and improving communication between patients and doctors. Considering all

1447
Eur. Chem. Bull. 2023, 12(Special Issue 1), 1442-1449
History of Nursing and Their Role in Modern Healthcare Section: Research Paper

these, the implementation of technologies and enhancing nursing knowledge can provide
support in providing better care to patients and ensuring a sustainable outcome.
References
[1] Papadopoulos I. NURSING IN UNITED KINGDOM. NURSE.:225.
[2] Donzé PY, Fernández Pérez P. Health industries in the twentieth century. Business
History. 2019 Apr 3;61(3):385-403.
[3] Ajmera P, Jain V. Modelling the barriers of Health 4.0–the fourth healthcare industrial
revolution in India by TISM. Operations Management Research. 2019 Dec;12(3):129-
45
[4] Meucci M, Verna E, Costedoat C. The Skeletal Remains of Soldiers from the Two World
Wars: Between Identification, Health Research and Memorial Issues. Genes. 2022 Oct
13;13(10):1852.
[5] Klimek S. Respectability Politics: The Professionalization of Nursing Practice. Women
Leading Change: Case Studies on Women, Gender, and Feminism. 2022 Jan
18;6(1):56-71
[6] Sánchez-Gómez MB, Ramos-Santana S, Gómez-Salgado J, Sánchez-Nicolás F, Moreno-
Garriga C, Duarte-Clíments G. Benefits of advanced practice nursing for its expansion
in the Spanish context. International journal of environmental research and public
health. 2019 Mar;16(5):680.
[7] D'AntonioP, nursing medical profession, Britannica,2022,23 december,2022, Avilable
from: https://www.britannica.com/science/nursing
[8] Al-Ababneh MM. Linking ontology, epistemology and research methodology. Science &
Philosophy. 2020 Jun 1;8(1):75-91
[9] Yates A, Starkey L, Egerton B, Flueggen F. High school students’ experience of online
learning during Covid-19: the influence of technology and pedagogy. Technology,
Pedagogy and Education. 2021 Jan 1;30(1):59-73.
[10] Neuendorf KA. Content analysis and thematic analysis. InAdvanced research methods
for applied psychology 2018 Aug 14 (pp. 211-223). Routledge.
[11] Laksono S, Darmawan ES. The new leadership paradigm in digital health and its
relations to hospital services. Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat. 2021 Jun
28;12(2):89-103.
[12] Authement RS, Dormire SL. Introduction to the online nursing education best practices
guide. SAGE Open Nursing. 2020 Jun;6:2377960820937290.
[13] Thilakarathne NN, Kagita MK, Gadekallu TR. The role of the internet of things in health
care: a systematic and comprehensive study. Available at SSRN 3690815. 2020 Sep
11.
[14] Suhonen R, Stolt M, Habermann M, Hjaltadottir I, Vryonides S, Tonnessen S, Halvorsen
K, Harvey C, Toffoli L, Scott PA. Ethical elements in priority setting in nursing care:
A scoping review. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2018 Dec 1;88:25-42.
[15] Delaney CW, Weaver C, Sensmeier J, Pruinelli L, Weber P, editors. Nursing and
Informatics for the 21st Century-Embracing a Digital World, -Book 2: Nursing
Education and Digital Health Strategies. CRC Press; 2022 Apr 28.
[16] Taylor AM, Bingham J, Schussel K, Axon DR, Dickman DJ, Boesen K, Martin R,
Warholak TL. Integrating innovative telehealth solutions into an interprofessional

1448
Eur. Chem. Bull. 2023, 12(Special Issue 1), 1442-1449
 History of Nursing and Their Role in Modern Healthcare Section: Research Paper

team-delivered chronic care management pilot program. Journal of managed care &
specialty pharmacy. 2018 Aug;24(8):813-8.

1449
Eur. Chem. Bull. 2023, 12(Special Issue 1), 1442-1449

View publication stats