History of Nursing

Brief History of Nursing



In the early dawn of human history, diseases or illness were often related to superstitious beliefs and the treatment also often involved magical cures.



The Sumerian Civilization is believed to have recorded in a clay-tablet 4,000 years ago some healing prescriptions but did not specify the illnesses.



The Code of Hammurabi traceable to the Babylonian empire in 1900 BC documented regulations pertaining to sanitation and public health, the practice of surgery, differentiation in the practice of human against veterinary medicine, a table of fees for operations and penalties for violation of the code. During these early days, nursing practice was vaguely described as those who render comfort and support to patient. In the Old Testament, it made mention of women as nurses who provided care for infants and children, the sick and dying.



The Greek and Roman empires related the care of the sick and those injured to the mythologies that they have created and believed that the gods and goddesses possessed special healing powers. Hygeia, daughter of Greek god Asklepios, the chief healer, was revered to be the embodiment of the nurse.



Ancient India – Nursing functions were being carried out by male nurses provided they meet the four qualifications:

1. knowledge of the manner in which drugs should be prepared for administration

2. cleverness

3. devotedness to the patient

4. purity of mind and body



Christian Benevolence- “love thy neighbor as thyself” had a significant impact on the development of Western Nursing.



The principle of “Good Samaritan” is the basis of caring for most Christians that eventually laid down some principles of nursing.



During the time of the Roman Empire, rich matrons such as Fabiola used their wealth to provide houses of care and healing that served as the early hospitals for the poor, sick and the homeless.



The Time of Crusades ( Holy mission or pilgrim to regain the Holy land by the Christians), knights were trained to provide care for the wounded soldiers in the battle – this is perhaps the earliest recognition of men providing nursing care.



Camillus De Lellis – considered the patron saint of nurses was the founder of the Nursing Order of the Ministries who provided care to the sick and the poor.



Florence Nigthangle born from a wealthy family chose to dedicate her life in providing care for the sick and injured especially during the Crimean War. She also started a school to train nurses in 1860, which eventually sparked the development of Modern Nursing.


THE EARLIEST HOSPITALS ESTABLISHED were the following:

Hospital Real de Manila (1577). It was established mainly to care for the Spanish King’s
soldiers, but also admitted Spanish civilians.Founded by Gov. Francisco de Sande
San Lazaro Hospital (1578) – built exclusively for patients with leprosy. Founded by Brother Juan Clemente

The Earliest Hospitals Established
a. Hospital de Indio (1586) –Established by the Franciscan Order; Service was in general
supported by alms and contribution from charitable persons.
b. Hospital de Aguas Santas (1590). Established in Laguna, near a medicinal spring, Founded by
Brother J. Bautista of the Franciscan Order.
San Juan de Dios Hospital (1596) Founded by the Brotherhood de Misericordia and support was derived from alms and rents. Rendered general health service to the public.

Nursing During the Philippine Revolution
The prominent persons involved in the nursing works were:
a. Josephine Bracken – wife of Jose Rizal. Installed a field hospital in an estate house in Tejeros. Provided nursing care to thw wounded night and day.
b. b.Rosa Sevilla De Alvero – converted their house into quarters for the filipino soldier,during the Philippine-American war that broke out in 1899.
c. Dona Hilaria de Aguinaldo – Wife of Emilio Aguinaldo; Organized the Filipino Red Cross under the inspiration of Apolinario Mabini.
d. Dona Maria de Aguinaldo- second wife of Emilio Aguinaldo.Provided nursing care for the Filipino soldier during the revolution. President of the Filipino Red Cross branch in Batangas.
e. Melchora Aquino (Tandang Sora) – Nurse the wounded Filipino soldiers and gave them shelter and food.
f. Captain Salome – A revolutionary leader in Nueva Ecija; provided nursing care to the wounded when not in combat.
g. Agueda Kahabagan – Revolutionary leader in Laguna, also provided nursing services to her troop.
h. Trinidad Tecson – “Ina ng Biac na Bato”, stayed in the hospital at Biac na Bato to care for the wounded soldier.

Hospitals and Nursing Schools
1.Iloilo Mission Hospital School of Nursing (Iloilo City, 1906)
Ø It was ran by the Baptist Foreign Mission Society of America.
Ø Miss Rose Nicolet, a graduate of New England Hospital for woman and children in Boston, Massechusettes, was the first superintendent.
Ø Miss Flora Ernst, an American nurse, took charge of the school in 1942.
2. St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing (Manila, 1907)
Ø The hospital was established by the Archbishop of Manila, The Most Reverend Jeremiah Harty, under the supervision of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres.
Ø It was located in Intramuros and it provided general hospital services.
3. Philippine general Hospital School of Nursing (1907)
Ø In 1907, with the support of the Governor General Forbes and the Director of Health and among others, she opened classes in nursing under the auspices of the Bureau of Education.
Ø Anastacia Giron-Tupas, was the first Filipino to occupy the position of chief nurse and superintendent in the Philippines, succeded her.
4.St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing (Quezon City, 1907)
Ø The Hospital is an Episcopalian Institution. It began as a small dispensary in 1903. In 1907, the school opened with three Filipino girls admitted.
Ø Mrs. Vitiliana Beltran was the first Filipino superintendent of nurses.
5. Mary Johnston Hospital and School of Nursing (Manila, 1907)
It started as a small dispensary on Calle Cervantes (now Avenida)
It was called Bethany Dispensary and was founded by the Methodist Mission.
Miss Librada Javelera was the first Filipino director of the school.
6. Philippine Christian mission Institute School of Nursing.
The United Christian Missionary of Indianapolis, operated Three schools of Nursing:
1. Sallie Long Read Memorial Hospital School of Nursing (Laoag, Ilocos Norte,1903)
2. Mary Chiles Hospital school of Nursing (Manila, 1911)
3. Frank Dunn Memorial hospital
7. San Juan de Dios hospital School of Nursing (Manila, 1913)
8. Emmanuel Hospital School of Nursing (Capiz,1913)
9. Southern Island Hospital School of Nursing (Cebu,1918)
The hospital was established under the Bureau of Health with Anastacia Giron-Tupas as the organizer.
The First Colleges of Nursing in the Philippines
University of Santo Tomas .College of Nursing (1946)
Manila Central University College of Nursing (1948)
University of the Philippines College of Nursing (1948). Ms.Julita Sotejo was its first Dean