As to how the Nursing profession started and originated is a big question to some people and even to some nurses. As what you might have noticed, Nursing today is far different from nursing that is practiced years ago, and it is still expected to continue changing during the 21^st century and in the years to come. Now, to comprehend present-day nursing and at the same time prepare for the future, one must understand not only the past events but also the contemporary nursing practice that evolves as time goes by and also the sociological and historical factors that affect it.

Nursing has undergone dramatic changes in response to the societal needs and influences. A look at nursing’s beginnings reveals its continuing struggle for autonomy and professionalization. In recent decades, a renewed interest in Nursing history has produced a growing amount of related literature.

Before, it was said that the traditional female roles of wife, mother, daughter, and sister have always included the care and nurturing of other family members. This is where nursing humbly started. From the beginning of time, women have already cared for infants and children, their own children to be exact. Therefore, based on this context, we could say that nursing could have its roots in “the home”. Eventually the care they provided their families were extended to the community caring for those who are ill. At first, the care being provided by our women are just related to physical maintenance and comfort.

When wars started to emerge all throughout the world and in different countries, they have already accentuated the need for nurses. During the Crimean War in 1854-1856, the inadequacy of care given to soldiers led to a public outcry inGreat Britain. Right then and there, the role Florence Nightingale, the mother of Modern Nursing, played in addressing this problem was made known. Nightingale and her nurses transformed the military hospitals by setting up sanitation practices such as hand washing and washing of clothes regularly.

After the Crimean War and during the American Civil War (1861-1865), several nurses emerged and they were notable for their contributions to a country torn by internal strife. Now, during the World War II, the casualties created an acute shortage of care and the Cadet Nurse Corps was established in response to a marked shortage of nurses. It was also during that time when the auxiliary health care workers became prominent. “Practical” nurses, aides, and technicians provided much of the actual nursing care under the instruction and supervision of better prepared nurses. Medical specialties also arose during that time to meet the needs of hospitalized clients.