Do they still teach nursing history?

[DiplomaNurseRN]

When I went to school, our shared nursing history and tradition was one of my favorite blocks of early instruction. I am curious if this is a part of the curriculum anymore? I know for me, learning about our heritage was quite inspiring and knowing I might eventually join the ranks of so many wonderful forebears gave me an added drive to succeed.

[beepbopcat, BSN]

The first nursing class I took was Therapeutic Communication (2 years ago) and they went over nursing history as an intro to nursing. The material was covered for the first test and wasn't really mentioned again after that. It was nice though, to learn how far nursing has come.

[elkpark]

In my experience, no, unfortunately.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

I went to nursing school in 2007. My Fundamentals of Nursing course covered nursing history and nursing theorists.

[DiplomaNurseRN]

That's a shame as it's such a wonderful study. Our class was quite detailed and we learned interesting 'tid bits' like Dorothea Dix actually developed the concept of the 'modern' hospital during the Civil War, Clara Barton had tea on the deck of the USS Maine the day before it blew up in Santiago Harbour starting the Spanish American War and RNs wore black on their nurses caps as a symbol of mourning for Florence Nightengale. Fun stuff!

[DiplomaNurseRN]

[DiplomaNurseRN]

Sorry, image enlarged ...

[Scottishtape]

My program does, and my LPN program did as well.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I agree - the History of Nursing is fascinating. Have y'all checked out the American Association for the History of Nursing? Membership is open to everyone - discount for students & retirees. There is also a terrific textbook - A History of American Nursing - that is a wonderful reference.. full of pictures and interesting facts.

[DesertRosee]

I'm in nursing school now, and the very first nursing class we took was intro to nursing which is basically a whole class on the history of nursing.