Historical Perspectives

Objectives

By the end of the lecture, students should be able to:• Explain European contributions to nursing• Trace the history of nursing in Ghana• Describe the educational programmes of

nursing in Ghana

Why Study The History of Nursing

• Guides the understanding of what we do today

• Decide changes we need in our profession

History of Nursing

Primitive man• Originated from primitive mother who cares

for ill members of her family• Term nursing stems from a Latin word which

means nutrix or nutrio- to nourish• Men and women were caring for their sick but

no documentation exit

History CONT’D

Ancient culture• Ancient Egypt-obstetrics was left in the hands

of midwives-females• Wet nurses on contract who breastfed infants

for 6mths• Ancient Babylon- domestic servant or slave

job- nurses could be male or female

History CONT’D

Religious ceremonies• Israel- purification rites; hygiene and sanitation - 1st nurse is Deborah who left with Rebecca to marry Isaac (Gen 24)• India-Hindus practiced team concept (Charaka-

Samhita) - Documents to show the use of surgical instruments and diet in treating people - Mostly males but women too

History CONT’D

• Greece- sick were nursed in temples• China- Sick nursed in Hans Dynasty(260-

220BC)• The first mention of a nurse was in China

Influence of Christianity

• Teaching of Christ had a profound influence on nursing and medicine

• Both men and women dedicated to the church and caring for the poor and infirm

• Nursing care were rendered with empathy and understanding

• Deaconesses-visiting nurses• Phoebe(55AD)- first deaconess and visiting

nurse

Influence CONT’D

Early Nursing Leaders• Middle of the fourth century- noble roman women• Converted their spacious homes into hospice and

hospitals• Marcella- home into convent• Fabiolla- built first general hospital in

Rome(380AD)• Paula- most learned woman of her time; several

hospital and gave nursing care

Influence CONT’D

Medieval /Middle Period• Nursing was not formalized• Practice by monks- infirmaries and clinic

setting within monasteries• Secular orders developed when some

members did not like the nursing• 3 military orders - Knights of St John, Teutonic

Knights and Knights of St Lazarus

Influence CONT’D

Reformation Period• Roman hospitals were closed down and the

protestants hospital personnel fled to avoid execution

• Shortage of people to care for the sick• Women were recruited from all sources to

care for the sick-wayward to avoid jail sentences(dark period of nursing)

Reformation Period CONT’D

• Nursing in Catholic countries saw less of these• St Vincent de Paul organized society women to

assist in his community work• Took over nursing in Europe and later Canada

and North AmericaRead and write on the following: • John Howard, Elizabeth Fry, Theodore

Fliedner, Mother Mary Catherine McAuley

History of Nursing in Ghana

• The first medical workers were Doctors who employed male orderlies to care for patients

• In 1899 first colonial nursing sister arrived in Ghana

• Males were recruited with a few females• Training was by apprenticeship• As medical facilities expanded more centers

were opened

History CONT’D

• Curriculum was modified to suit the low educational background of the recruits

• Subjects includes- anatomy and psysiology• Medical and surgical nursing, hygiene and first

aid• Lectures and demonstrations were done on the

ward• After 3years they were awarded the Director of

Medical Service Award certificate

Levels of Nursing Education

Qualified Registered Nurses (QRN)• Started by Miss Button • It gain recognition in 1948• 3 year programm• Reqiurement - Middle school Leaving Cert.• Age -18 and above• Discontinued in 1968

Levels CONT’D

Enrolled Nursing• It started in 1963• Main aim was to relief the professional nurse of

duties which were non –skilled• Nursing assistants but was abolished in 1968• Maximum qualification was MSLC• Duration was 18months but later changed to 2

years• It was terminated in 982

Levels CONT’D

State Registered Nurse(SRN)• It started in 1945 in Kumasi with 6 students• In 1948 the school moved to Accra• In 1955 a second school was built in Kumasi• Duration was 3 ½ years-• pre nursing 1 year (prelims)• The old program ended in 1973

SRN CONT’D

• In 1970 a new curriculum was put in place• Comprehensive nursing-community/hospital• In 1989/90 it was reviewed to make way for a

competency based programme• In 1993 it was revised-semester based• 3 years duration-GCE/SSCE• 18 and above• Currently we have a 3 year diploma programme

Midwifery

• Started in 1928 in Korle-Bu and Kumasi• More than 10 midwifery institutions in Ghana• Including mission schools• Entry requirement-MSLCQRN-18mthsEN-2 yearsSRN/RGN-12 monthsCHN- 2 years

Registered Mental Health

• Started in 1957 –QRMN• In 1974 upgraded to RMN• 1989/90 reviewed alongside the SRN• Entry requirement is GCE O ‘ level/ SSCE• Pantang, Ankaful and Cape Coast• Duration is 3 years and 18 month for SRN’s• Upgraded to Diploma now.

Public Health Nursing

• Started in 1952- health visitors• Supervise general health and welfare of

infants• Preventive care nurses• Organized training started in 1962• Upgraded to Diploma status

Community Health Nursing

• Started in 1960 at Tamale• Aim is to train health personnel to assist the

public health nurses• Duration was 2 years• Requirement was MSLC/ SSCE with entry

exams• It been upgraded to diploma now

Post Basic Courses

• Eye nursing• Critical• Perioperative care Nursing• Nurse anaesthesia

Nursing Tutorship

• Nursing tutorship diploma course was established in University of Ghana in 1963

• 1988 in Cape Coast to prepare nurse educators, supervisor and administrators

• Cape Cost has Master’s programm for tutors with Diploma with long service

• The university of Ghana continued with a 2 year advance diploma for nurse educators and administration till it was terminated

Graduate Programme

• It started in 1980- nurses and non nurses• Bachelor of Arts and Science in Nursing• It was 3 years for nurses and 4 years for non

nurses• Non nurses takes the SRN/RGN exams to get

their linsenceRequirements• GCE A level/SSCE, Diploma(B), mature

Post Graduate-MPHIL/MSC

• Started in 2000/2001 academic year

• Fist or 2nd upper degree to enter the prog.

• It offers- administration, education, child health etc

Nurses and Midwives Council(NMC)

• It was form as a merger of the midwives board and nurses board in 1970

• Administration• Regulation of establishment of schools and

curricula• Examinations and certification• Training and education