Conceptualising care: a historical exploration of manuscripts on nursing from the 1500s to 1850s
Conference Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Background: Modern nursing has long been associated with the publication of Nightingale's Notes on Nursing in 1859. However, the discovery of a 1617 Spanish treatise Instruccions de Enfermeros (Instructions for Nurses), highlights manuscripts werewritten regarding the profession by nurses for nurses at least two centuries prior to Nightingale. Instruccions de Enfermeros described the professional standards and foundational cares performed by the nurse in 17th Century Spain. Incorporated into each descriptor of care was a rationale that was supported by (then contemporary)clinical reasoning. Hence, a structure which is similar to today's fundamentals of nursing texts is evident. The inclusion ofsuch elements in Instruccions de Enfermeros suggests core aspects of today's professional identity and clinical practiceevolved through the intergenerational sharing of knowledge across cultures. However, as a profession we know littleabout the existence of such manuscripts prior to Notes on Nursing. Aim: To explore what treatises were produced by nurses for nurses in Europe, Northern America and Australia from thecentury preceding Instruccions de Enfermeros until the 1850s. Methods: A scoping review was undertaken to identify documents regarding the practice and role of the nurse from 1500s to 1850s.The study was limited to documents originating in Europe, North America and Australia. A thematic analysis of thestructure and main themes of each document was then undertaken. Results: The findings of this study will be presented, providing new insights on what our forbearers wrote regarding nursingidentity and practice between the 16th and 19th Centuries.
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International Council of Nurses 2017 Congress
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1
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Barcelona, Spain
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International Council of Nurses
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Barcelona, Spain
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