The 19th & 20th Century Nursing (ANSWERED)

QUESTION

Purpose:

The purpose of this reflection is for learners to reflect on 19^th and/or 20^th century nurses and events and how one of these will best guide the student’s current practice.

Course Outcomes:

This reflection enables the student to meet the following course outcome:

CO2: Apply lessons from nursing history to today’s professional nursing practice. (PO4)

Due Date

During the assigned week (Sunday the start of the assigned week through Sunday the end of the assigned week):
- Posts in the discussion at least two times, and
- Posts in the discussion on two different days

Points Possible

50 points

Directions

Reflection is an activity that involves your deep thought into your own experiences related to the concepts of the week. Answers should be detailed. In reflections students:
- Demonstrate understanding of concepts for the week
- Engage in meaningful dialogue with classmates and/or instructor
- Express opinions clearly and logically, in a professional manner
Use the rubric on this page as you compose your answers.
Scholarly sources are NOT required for this reflection
Best Practices include:
- Participation early in the week is encouraged to stimulate meaningful discussion among classmates and instructor.
- Enter the reflection often during the week to read and learn from posts.
- Select different classmates for your reply each week.

Discussion

Reflect on 19^th and 20^th century nurses and events discussed this week. Which nurse or event from that time period will best guide your current professional nursing practice? Why?

ANSWER

Reflection on 19th and 20th Century Nursing

Florence Nightingale will best guide my current professional practice because her clinical practice aligns with my scope of practice and professional values. Nightingale’s problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, implementation of nursing interventions, political advocacy to reform the healthcare system, and advancement of nursing practice through evidence resemble current registered nurses’ roles. Nightingale engaged in direct patient care, one of the core competencies of RNs. She also reflected on patients’ needs and directed interventions based on her observations, patient responses, and best practices. Her nursing directives to junior nurses were based on her clinical expertise and assessments, demonstrating RNs’ competency in implementing evidence-based interventions to advance patient outcomes.

I also think Nightingale best guides my practice because we share professional values. Nightingale delivered compassionate care through hygiene. Nurses started to bathe and clean soldiers and supply them with nutritious foods, improving their health outcomes. One of my professional goals is always to be compassionate to my patients and advocate for their rights. The soldiers’ living conditions were precarious, yet the healthcare system of the time considered it normal. However, Nightingale felt the treatment was wrong, voiced her opinion, and successfully advocated for better treatment. This approach aligns with my professional goal of always being compassionate and a patient advocate. I will always speak out if I encounter a nursing practice (even if it is standard practice) that may potentially harm my patients.

Another core competency of RN is optimizing patient care outcomes. While serving during the Crimean war, Nightingale discovered the deplorable conditions under which the soldiers were treated. Her research evidence later showed that the men were dying not because of their injuries but from infections caused the poor living conditions and neglect of basic needs. Nightingale implemented changes and used her professional demeanor to engage stakeholders and overcome skepticism and resistance to her work. Just like Nightingale, RNs are also considered to be change agents.

References

Matthews, J.H., Whitehead, P.B., Ward, C., Kyner, M., Crowder, T., (2020). Florence Nightingale: Visionary for the role of clinical nurse specialist. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. 25(2). https://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-25-2020/No2-May-2020/Nightingale-Visionary-for-Clinical-Nurse-Specialist.html