By Leyton Ezzell
Nursing is one of the oldest medical practices in the world, starting in 250 B.C.E. in India. The ruler at the time, known as Ashoka, built several pillars with decrees carved into them. One of the decrees holds the first reference to nursing, stating that the hospitals should be “well provided with instruments and medicine” via skillful professionals and nurses.
Much later, in 50 C.E., Phoebe is mentioned within Romans 1:16 and is thought to be the first Christian nurse in written history. In 307 C.E., nurses would work in cathedrals, acting as hospital-like institutions, and be tasked with caring for the sick and dying. After this, hospitals were a main-stay in European and Byzantine towns and cities.
Many Catholic women played a major role in Medieval history, especially nuns, who would provide free nursing to the poor. The nuns were seen in extremely high regard and were popular, with wealthy families paying to send their daughters to receive training as nuns.
The 7th century made history with the first Muslum nurse recorded—Rufaidah bint Sa’ad from the Bani Askam tribe located in Medina. Sa’ad was known to be one of the many Muslum nurses who served during that time.
In 1066 C.E, the French Normans brought their hospital system to the recently conquered England and reportedly had a much better system. French hospitals were set up in English monasteries and built like traditional hospitals. Nurses who worked there also passed out alms and medicine.
Moving onto more modern history, during the Civil War, former First Lady Mary Todd Lincon was a battlefield nurse and worked with famous poet Walt Whitman.
The founding of modern nursing is attributed to Florence Nightingale, who founded the first nursing school in London, known as St. Thomas’ Hospital, in 1860.
The year 1879 could be considered one of the most significant years for nursing history, with the first African American woman to become a nurse named Mary Eliza Mahoney. She graduated in 1879 and co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses in 1908.
Nursing has been an important part of our history throughout any era. From our world leaders to the poorest man being able to get help, nurses have one of the most important jobs in the world. Not only have they advanced the study of medicine, but they’ve also spread it throughout the countries of the world. Next time you see a nurse, remember the history of their profession.
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