Nursing Care

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that there has been a dramatic change in the role and responsibly of the nurse, which extends to and influences the entire gamut of the medical healthcare environment. The author points out that the role and functions of the nurse have become more holistic in nature and encompass many areas of healthcare, including technical knowledge and applications. The paper relates that, from initially being seen only as an aid to the doctor and medical practitioner, nursing has developed into a fully fledged profession with extensive and far-reaching responsibilities and functions that include cultural and social aspects.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Evolution of Nursing Care and Responsibility
The Responsibilities and Functions of Contemporary Nursing
Summary

From the Paper:

"Possibly one of the earliest examples of the responsibility and role of the nurse is the midwife. A midwife is defined as someone who "...attends childbirth, provides support during labor and delivery, and supervises the general care of women and children directly after birth." Furthermore, midwifery has an ancient history and is in fact is one of the earliest known forms of medical care and "... its functions antedate any record we have of medicine as an applied science. " The midwife and her important role in society are mentioned in the Book of Genesis."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Braun, K. and Blanchette, J. H. Cultural Issues in End-of-Life Decision Making. SAGE Publications. 1999
• Drife J. The start of life: a history of obstetrics. April 7, 2006. <http://pmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/78/919/311>
• Engebretson, Joan. Hands-on: The persistent metaphor in nursing Holistic Nursing Practice; 7/1/2002;
• Historical Background of Midwifery. Contributions by the Midwives of Antiquity to the Art and Science of Modern Medicine. April 9, 2006.<http://www.collegeofmidwives.org/legal_legislative01/HxMfryIndex01/antiqmdw.htm >
• Loudon, Irvine, ed. Western Medicine: An Illustrated History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.

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