Philosophy of Nursing Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Philosophy of Nursing - Coursework Example During those ages when women were confined within their homes and family life, nursing had become a household art. Progress of nursing has been influenced by the duties of women and their economic independence. In earliest times, nursing was associated with motherly care of infants and was termed as wet nurse. By the 16th century the meaning of nursing meant to attend and care for the sick (Donahue, 2010, pp.4,6). In early times it was believed that nurses required no formal education or training. They were unlicensed doctors, abortionists, midwives and counselors in the western history. For centuries, the nurses passed on their experiences to their neighbors or daughters. They were termed as â€Å"wise women† by the people. One early myth was that women were so trapped by their menstruation and reproduction cycles that they were not independent outside their homes. Another myth was that male professionals had superior technology. These myths were false since women were inherently healers for the poor. It was also found that male professionals depended more on ritualistic practices while women represented more humane approach to healing (Ehrenreich & English, pp.25,27). According to Jean Watson, professor of Nursing, â€Å"The nurse has a human responsibility to move beyond the patient’s immediate specific needs and help the patient reach his or her highest level of growth, mat urity and health† (Clarke, 2011, p.406). Professor Margaret Newman has stated all contrasting experiences are equal like pain and pleasure, failure and success etc. Although, spiritually this makes sense, this is not practical when practicing nursing especially in cases where patients seek recovery from illness (Clarke, 2011, p.406). The concept of nursing is often considered as informal care of patients and therefore most practicing nurses do not accept nursing models