History of Nursing

History of nursing

Nursing was primarily a male profession throughout early history before

becoming maternal in the beginning of the twentieth century during which

the pattern of gender segregation and stereotyping begun . As members of

religious orders , men used to provide nursing care to the sick , wounded

and the dying as early as the fourth and fifth centuries . Until the

mid-1800s , both male and female nurses were inspired by religious

convictions and they lacked formal training . Professionalization of

nursing contributed to a decline of men 's involvement in nursing .

Florence Nightingale and her supporters campaigned for an improved

education and status for nurses . Additionally , Florence Nightingale 's

reforms made it quite clear that nursing was a natural profession for

women who were perceived to be naturally caring and nurturing the

requirements for a good nurse . This became a reflection of comfort with

social stereotyping and gender segregation of her era in Victorian

England . In the 1900s , men became nurses at their own social will

although they were increasingly discriminated against by society ,

military and female nurses . As a result , there was open and active

gender discrimination within the profession . In the twentieth century ,

nursing schools incorporated an all-female residence dorm life and men

were considered minority and second class citizens hence they were paid

half the salary of female nurses . Male nurses fought for equality in the

twentieth century and they were up against some of the same...

2. Discrimination Against Men

Men in nursing also have expressed concern about sex discrimination. Their concern is not monetary, but is related to being allowed to practice in all areas of nursing and being accepted within the profession.

Anti-male sexism of nurses in the united state was brought to the forefront by the research of Kus (1985), who pointed out that society stereotypes men...