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Nursing Jobs New Zealand |
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Nursing is a profession focused on assisting individuals,
families and communities in attaining, re-attaining and
maintaining optimal health and functioning. Modern definitions
of nursing define it as a science and an art that focuses on
promoting quality of life as defined by persons and families,
throughout their life experiences from birth to care at the end
of life.
In premodern times, nuns and the military often provided nursing
services. The religious and military roots of modern nursing
remain in evidence today. For example, in Britain, senior female
nurses are known as "Sisters". In recent times in the US and
Canada many nurses are flowing back into working in a
"religious" field through "Parish Nursing". These nurses work
within a church community to perform health education,
counselling, provide referals to community support agencies, and
connect volunteers from the church community with those in need
of assistance.
Florence Nightingale is regarded as the founder of modern
nursing, which flourished in response to the Crimean War.
New Zealand was the first country to regulate nurses nationally,
with adoption of the Nurses Registration Act on the 12th of
September 1901. Ellen Dougherty was the first Registered Nurse.
For more information on prominent nurses, both historical and
contemporary, see articles on individual nurses. There are also
articles on nursing museums on Wikipedia. Many of these museums,
such as the American Museum of Nursing, have online galleries.
Nursing, like all professions, is based on the ideal of service
to humanity. The practice of nursing involves altruistic
behavior, is guided by nursing research and is governed by a
code of ethics.
Nursing continues to develop a wide body of knowledge and
associated skills. There are a number of educational paths to
becoming a professional nurse but all involve extensive study of
nursing theory and practice and training in clinical skills.
The authority for the practice of nursing is based upon a social
contract that delineates professional rights and
responsibilities as well as mechanisms for public
accountability. In almost all countries, nursing practice is
defined and governed by law and entrance to the profession is
regulated by national, state, or territorial boards of nursing.
For more information on educational paths and regulation, see
the article on the occupation of Nurse. |
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