Why do Nurses need to study History

[Tweety]

I'm not talking Nursing History. I'm taking Western Civ. as a co-req in my RN to BSN program. We have a weekly hour discussion, where we're graded on showing up and participating, but not our answers.

One of the discussion questions this week is "Why is it important for the nursing professional to have a basic knowledge of history?"

I'm stumped on this. Other than the old standard of having a well-rounded education, I'm not sure why I need to have a knowledge of Mesopotamians and ancient Egyptians?

Any ideas? (Again this is not a graded question so I'm not asking anyone to do my homework, it's just a topic for discussion, and I'd like to participate.)

Thanks.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Can you see some similarities to the ADN/BSN debate and how the debate itself does more to hold nursing back than the issues presented?

(No I'm not opening that debate - I'm commenting on it generally, not specifically. Hold your pro-BSN, pro-ADN powder - that was only an example.)

~faith,

Timothy.

That is a great example regarding how nursing fits in here. Not gonna comment on the actual issue though :chair: just as you requested, as this has been such a nice thread. :)

steph

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

That is a great example regarding how nursing fits in here. Not gonna comment on the actual issue though :chair: just as you requested, as this has been such a nice thread. :)

steph

LOL, I waited to long to second guess going down that road.

LOLOLOL.

(ducks)

~faith,

Timothy.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Very interesting thread! Are you going to use allnurses in your footnotes?

Tim! Nice to see you back and that you survived DisneyWorld.

steph

Perhaps I will mention it. But I'm not writing a paper. It's a group discussion (online live chat for an hour). So now at least I can participate and act like I know a little bit. :)

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I decided against this post. LOL.

Frankly Timothy when I saw you're name my first inclination was "oh God, Tim's getting on the bandwagon "most of nursing education for the BSN is BS". (I hope you realize I didn't need this course for my ADN but am in an ADN to BSN program. :)) Boy was I pleasantly surprised. I got a lot out of your post. :)

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

Frankly Timothy when I saw you're name my first inclination was "oh God, Tim's getting on the bandwagon "most of nursing education for the BSN is BS". Boy was I pleasantly surprised. I got a lot out of your post. :)

Ah.

But not HISTORY. History is always important.

~faith,

Timothy.

[Catsmeow]

A couple of things I've picked up from my psychology class this semester...

Learning different subjects that you aren't quite as spiffy in, or weren't terribly familiar with, changes the pathways biologically in your brain, and helps you form new connections... this helps in both recovery from an accident/stroke, and preventing alzheimers. They say a broad college education is one of the best ways to get those new pathways established so that in the event of a stroke or accident your brain has faster and different ways to reconnect around the damaged portions. A more efficient brain overall basically.

Secondly the more general higher education you have, research has shown that you become better at what they consider the higher forms of thinking... reasoning, logic, moral dilemmas, being able to understand both sides to an issue, etc. In fact for each year of college, people scored increasingly better per year. All good qualities for a nurse.

As far as West Civ in particular aside from the marvelous answers others provided, since some of it is new knowledge, it's literally changing the way your brain works to learn it. This was really neat for me to know, really helps in learning subjects I don't like as much, as it's the ones we aren't as knowledgable in or don't feel like we do as well in that help the most. (If you are already really good at crochet for example, your brains already working well in that area... etc.)

[menolly_33]

I'm a firm believer in "knowledge is never wasted". I love learning about the history and culture of others, now and in the past, you never know when some bit of knowledge may the the catalyst for your relationship with a particular patient.

I had a patient that would not talk to anyone, just stared at the wall all day, I noticed several books on the crusades, and commented on them, mentioning a similiar book I was reading - (yes I like history!) he actually answered. Just a short few words, but it lead to other longer conversations. He began to get up and became much friendlier to everyone. Can't say that he got well because of this, but I know his stay was happier after that. Just a small example of why knowledge is never wasted, you never know it may come in handy.

A wise man(woman) said those who fail to learn from history are damned to repeat it(paraphrase). As Timothy stated so eloquently in his post, we see it on the new everyday. One thing that worries me however, is, if you look back throughout history, it's not the advanced civilizations that win in the end, it is usually the barbarians that succeed. Something for our advanced nation to considered, and guard against.

[lyallch]

Amazing, someone once said it is so that you dont just talk about nursing only. Gives you something else to talk about...wonder why you would want to talk about something other than nursing :chuckle

[Real Nice(RN)]

You know what? I already asked my professor why do we have to undergo or study history. Basically, the reason is its part of the curriculum of the department of education that is followed by your school. :)

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Perhaps I will mention it. But I'm not writing a paper. It's a group discussion (online live chat for an hour). So now at least I can participate and act like I know a little bit. :)

Yanking your chain hon :kiss

Did you have your online discussion yet?

steph

[KatieBell]

If you have not done your on line discussion yet, maybe I can help you. I have a BA in History (BSN as well).

At first I thought my focus on American History was not going to help me at all as a nurse, but it has totally assisted me in relating to my patients.

I can understand very well little old ladies who grew up during the depression- who scrimp and save everything- and if I give them slipper socks or a tooth brush in the hospital insist on taking them upstairs or home if discharged.

I also have been able to have good rapport with WWII veterans because I can ask about what they did and sort of relate it to some of the more famous things. I recently worked with a woman who was a "rosie the riveter" and it was great to ask her different questions- that allowed her to focus off, for a moment the IV I was about to stick in her.

It also helps to know certain medical history things: such as vaccine dates, when dialysis started to become nationwide, transplants as well. When I worked Trauma/Transplant ICU, it was useful to me to keep in mind where we were when we began doing transplants and where we are now...sort of helped with the livers we had...