How did nursing evolve from ancient Greek through the 20th century?
The earliest records demonstrate that family members provided nursing care at home, a practice that has continued throughout the ages. Male nurses and attendants provided care during the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe. By the 19th century, Catholic nuns and Protestant deaconesses served as nurses in Europe and the United States. Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, established nursing as a unique body of knowledge, distinct from medicine. She stressed the importance of manipulating the environment to promote healing. Women subsequently served as nurses in several wars, beginning with the Civil War. Nurses were involved in the women’s movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and were leaders in health care reform their advocacy for children and families. During the 20th century, American nurses standardized nursing education, improved nursing care, developed theories, and conducted research.
