Essay on the Evolution, Policies, and Impact of the Nursing Profession

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the nursing profession, tracing its historical development from its inception to the present day. It begins by defining the core duties and responsibilities of nurses, emphasizing their roles in patient care, emotional support, and health education. The essay then delves into the historical context, highlighting the pivotal role of Florence Nightingale and the evolution of nursing during the Crimean War. It analyzes the impact of urbanization and industrialization on the profession and examines relevant policies and legislation, particularly the Nursing and Midwifery Order of the UK. The discussion includes an assessment of the profession's successes and challenges, including the benefits, drawbacks, and the impact on society. The essay concludes by emphasizing the critical role of nurses in modern healthcare and their contributions to patient well-being and societal health.

Running head: UNDERSTANDING HUMAN SERVICES
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN SERVICES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

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Introduction
The nursing of the 21st Century is a shield that protects the treatment process of a patient.
Over the years, it has been observed that wherever there is somebody in need of treatment,
nurses can identify and protect the needs of the individual without hesitation. This profession is
considered to be a highly reputable and noble profession which always tries to fulfil the needs of
the society. Presently, pollution is considered to be an increasing problem and it causes various
health-related issues. This profession tries to educate the people of the society through various
educational programs regarding the critical health issues and for this purpose, the contribution of
the nurses are significant (Burns and Grove 2010).
This paper mainly focuses on the discussion of the main duties, responsibilities and tasks
of the nurses, the historical occurrence and development of the nursing profession, the analysis
of relevant policies and legislation related to this profession, and changes to the society which
has a connection with the occurrence, development and changes to this profession. While
discussing the same, it also focuses on the success and downfalls of this profession.
Discussion
Over the years, many scholars described this profession as an art and a science too. It is
such a profession which is related to both mind and heart. Primary respect lies in the heart for
human dignity to meet the needs of the patients. On the other hand, this profession supported by
the mind as well because hard learning is related to this profession. However, while examining a
patient nurses not only depend upon the health report, they also apply their understanding,
expertise and rational judgments to meet the biological, bodily and interactive needs.

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Nurses mainly work as a part of a professional team and as health staffs under the
guidance of doctors, therapists and social workers (Chinn and Kramer 2017). The key duties,
responsibilities and tasks of the nurses include the following:
 Evaluating and scheduling nursing care necessities;
 Giving pre and post-operation care;
 Observing and governing medicine and circulatory infusions;
 Collecting and checking samples, pulse rates, blood pressure and temperatures of the
patients;
 Writing and keeping records;
 Directing junior staffs;
 Managing workloads;
 Giving emotional and mental supports to the patients and their relatives;
 Teaching students studying nursing.
Therefore, from these above-mentioned duties, it is clear that nurses provide medical and
nursing care to those people who are suffering from ongoing or severe physical or psychological
ill-health either in clinical institutions, at home or in other places. According to Sandvik,
Eriksson and Hilli (2014), a kind and sympathetic nature, and the capability to deal with
sensitively charged and stressed situations are significant traits of a nurse. They are also of the
view that this profession aims to care the sick, the disabled, the wounded and the dying person. It
is also the responsibility of the nurses to inspire the health of personages, families and groups in
medical and community settings. Nurses must involve actively in health care investigations,
supervision, policy negotiations and patient support.

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Though the nursing profession, basically originated in the middle of the 19th century
nonetheless if the pages of the history are turned over it can be observed that the history of this
noble profession conventionally begins with Florence Nightingale. Nightingale was the well-
educated daughter of a prosperous British family. She decided to become a nurse. History also
shows that in the middle of the 19th century this profession was not considered to be a noble and
reputable profession like nowadays. In that time, ladies from wealthy families did not like to
choose nursing as a career option. Even who wished to become a nurse were anticipated to do so
only for her sick family members or close friends. To change this scenario, Nightingale played
an important role which changes the perspective of the entire scenario regarding this profession.
She believed that well-educated ladies by the use of their scientific principles and their
knowledge regarding healthy lifestyles could be able to dramatically change and develop the care
of sick people. Further, she also believed that this profession provided absolute intellectual and
social freedom to women (Nielsen et al. 2014). However, the scenario had completely changed
during the Crimean War of Britain when it had been reported by the newspaper stories that the
sick and injured Russian soldiers got better treatment facilities than British soldiers. The British
Government requested Nightingale to take a small group of nurses to the military hospital of the
Scutari. Within a few days after the arrival of Nightingale and her team, the death rates of the
injured soldiers reduced because they got proper medication, treatment and healthy foods. In this
way, the entire world knew her contribution towards the people, and she had awarded with the
title of the ‘Lady with the Lamp’. After the end of the 19th century, the importance of this
profession has been realized by society more after the urbanization and industrialization occurred
(Kagan et al. 2010).

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The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008) of the UK provides stringent guidance in
regards to the code of nursing practitioners and the responsibilities of the members associated
with this profession of patient’s care. It is the responsibility of the nurses to improve their
knowledge in those laws which are linked with clinical practice and moral frameworks. Many
legislation and policies relating to the nursing profession of the UK have been changed
nowadays. However, like several professional healthcare controllers, a range of controlling
legislation has been observed in the UK. Among them The Nursing and Midwifery Order, 2001
is considered to be the main legislation of the UK. This policy aims to set out the fundamental
purpose of safeguarding the people at large, the structure of the NMC and the functions and
activities of it. A range of order has been mentioned in this order which is primarily made by the
Privy Council. Moreover, it also comprises of some Rules which are made by the Council. All
the legislation related to nursing was formed under powers in the Health Act, 1999 and all
legislation is regarded as secondary legislation (Storch and Kenny 2007). These portions of
legislation work with each other to create a detailed lawful framework which helps to determine
how it needs to be operated. The organization has been established by the Order to set out the
primary purpose to protect the public, the configuration of the organization and its functions and
activities. Apart from that, some obligatory principles and arrangements have also been set out
by the Order. The nurses are responsible to the Privy Council, the Department of Health and the
Professional Standard Authority for any violation of rules and duties. For changing the functions
and activities the legislation needs to be changed by providing the thorough nature of this
legislation. For this purpose, consultation is essential with the appropriate stakeholders regarding
all the proposed changes. Finally, the changes take place through the parliamentary processes
and by the sanction of the Privy Council (Dinmohammadi, Peyrovi and Mehrdad 2013).

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Starting from the Crimean War of Britain to now, various changes have been observed in
this noble profession which also has a great impact on society. Previously profession of nursing
was not considered to be a noble profession but the importance of this profession has emerged
after the improvement of industries and urban areas. People and their families get numerous help
from nurses. By the help of nurses, they can cope up with illness and also can deal with it.
Florence Nightingale is regarded as the founder of contemporary nursing. The nurses of present
days are much educated, trained and critical thinker than before. Therefore, they can educate the
patients and general people regarding the prevention of illness and wound, provide care and
support which also helps the people to participate in rehabilitation (Smith and McCarthy 2010).
Just like other professions, the profession of nursing also involves some benefits as well
as drawbacks. To be a nurse is not an easy task. This profession creates numerous career
opportunities in the medical field. The nursing profession is considered to be a noble profession
which is highly respected all over the world due to their knowledge and role played by them.
however, this profession is very difficult because it is not a job with fixed shift hours. Nurses
need to cope up with the flexible shift timings. In this job, there is a possibility to get infected by
the germs and viruses coming from different patients suffering from different diseases. Finally, a
nurse needs to be physically strong and fit because sometimes they need to lift the patient which
is not possible for a week person (Cameron 2011).
Conclusion
Therefore, from the above discussion, it can be concluded that the nursing profession has
a great impact on society, which helps to educate people regarding numerous diseases, its
symptoms and how it can be cured. Nurses are considered to be the most reliable healthcare

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professionals. They always help their patients throughout their life. It is the most honourable
profession and nurses regarded as the heart and soul of the worldwide health care system.

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References
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