In the middle of the century, you would have been at the patient s bedside often, but you still may have sharpened needles two days a week. As recently as the 80s, you wouldn t have known what a personal computer was, let alone used one to access information. There s no doubt that nursing roles have changed dramatically throughout the 20th century, and for the better, according to many nurse historians. Here are some of the highlights in the evolution of contemporary nursing. In the early 20th century, most nurses received their education from hospitals, not colleges or universities.
Historians describe early clinical training programs as rigorous and exhausting.
A new nursing student, known as a probationer, often began working primarily as a maid dusting, scrubbing, and washing dishes under the scrutiny of a superintendent. Above all, the probationer adhered to a code of etiquette that required utter deference to physicians and supervisors. If she passed muster, the student could expect to move on to more patient-oriented duties. During this time she has to make up and keep on hand thousands of sponges, wipes, bandages, and dressings of all kinds, and attend to the sterilization of the same. After graduating, a nurse in the early 1900s usually went to work as a private-duty nurse in a patient s home or as a superintendent in a hospital.