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Without any doctors, nurses, surgeons, or even physical therapists the world as we know it would be a complete disaster. Since the days of Florence Nightingale, patients in hospitals around the world depended on the care of nurses. These trained professionals assist doctors and specialists in virtually every area of medicine. In addition, nursing allows for a special type of one-on-one contact that doctors can’t provide. Nurses provide various services for patients on an hourly basis. This special, intimate contact has prompted a significant change in the field of nursing. In most modern medicinal institutions, as well as practical training programs, nurses are taught provide skillful services, as well as compassion and caring. Patients and doctors, alike, realize the value of the services nurses provide. After Florence Nightingale revolutionized the profession in the 1850’s, deaths in hospitals dropped dramatically, from 420 per 1000 to 22 per 1000 (Kurzen 59). Since that time, hospitals and rehabilitation centers have depended on the skills of nurses. Practical nursing programs began to develop in the late 1800’s to increase the opportunities of women (62). These institutions soon became vital to the growth and effectiveness of hospitals and health facilities. The demand for nursing services grew so dramatically, national organizations began to flourish to provide supervision and planning for the growing profession (62). Within a relatively short period of time, nursing had evolved from a pink-collar employment to a respected profession. Nurses must meet various qualifications for licensure to ensure that they are equipped to be efficient caregivers. The standard examination, NCLEX, requires that nurses retain curriculum taught throughout educational training programs (78). Such training allows nurses to develop an inventory of skills useful in daily routines. As technology continues to advance, training for nurses becomes more in depth. Nurses are fully qualified to “work under the Good 2 supervision of doctors, [as well as] perform basic therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive care for anyone who needs it” (76). For many nurses, the daily chores and duties begin long before sunrise. After receiving briefs and updates on hospital conditions, nurses must check the charts of their patients (Wolkomir 42). Charts include crucial information about the administration of “meds,” and special notes from physicians (personal interview).
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