History of Nursing in the World

The word nurse is derived from the Anglo-French “nurice” and the Latin “nutrica”,
both of which mean nourish. This is exactly what nurses have always done.The common belief
is that nursing has always been a feminine occupation with males entering the field in recent
years, but this is not the case.

Ancient civilization:

 Nursing was noted to be as old as time.it basically started from: INSTINCT

HUMAN NATURE: “nurturing” & “caring”.

Egyptian Rites

 health and healing beliefs of ancient civilization, superstition and black magic, injuries
from wars and other tragic events.

BIBLICAL RECORDS

 Jesus healing the wounded and the inflicted

 Good Samaritan law

During the Middle Ages

 nurses were mostly untrained women who helped deliver babies or were wet nurses.
Nuns had more training and cared for the sick.

13th through the 16th centuries

 religious orders felt as if it was their duty to care for the physical needs of people as well
as their spiritual needs and formed brotherhoods to carry out this mission.

Researched by: Pajaron, Edwin D. Prof. Luzviminda Macadangdang

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Christian Organizations and Orders “CRUSADES”

 Knights of St. John of Jerusalem • a.k.a Knights of Hospitallers

Descendants are the Knights Templars•
The first nursing orders – Monastic Order of St. Augustine
 Sisters of Charity Established by St. Vincent de Paul in France.
 Order of the Deaconesses- Founded in Kaiser Werth, Germany. Recognized the role of
women in taking care for the sick. Initiated the establishment of training school for
nurses. Founders of the training school: Pastor Theodore Fliedner & Frederika Fliedner
(wife)
 Founders of the Order - Kaiser Werth Institute for Deaconesses and one of the students
of this training school is Florence Nightingale.

Florence Nightingale (Modern Nursing)

 Florence Nightingale was a philanthropist from a wealthy English family who studied
nursing under the direction of Pastor Fliedner in Germany. Nightingale forever changed
the practice of nursing. At the time, it was unusual for an upper-class woman to care for
the sick, but Nightingale felt a calling to serve humanity. She is known to be “Lady with
the Lamp”

The 19th and 20th Centuries

 In the late 19th century, nursing professionalized rapidly in the United States. Women
who had served as nurses during the Civil War realized the importance of a formal
nursing education and played a crucial role in establishing the first nurse training
schools. Hospitals began setting up nursing schools that attracted women from both
working-class and middle-class backgrounds.

 During the second half of the 20th century, the number of baccalaureate and graduate
programs in nursing grew rapidly. Graduate nursing programs focusing on clinical
specialties laid the basis for the expansion of advanced practice nursing.

Researched by: Pajaron, Edwin D. Prof. Luzviminda Macadangdang

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The 21st Century

 2002: The United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting
(UKCC) came to an end and merged with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
 2007: The International Council of Nurses holds its global conference in

Yokohama, Japan. The conference seeks to set up networking and educational

experiences for professional nurses who work all over the world.

 Today’s nurses are well educated and have earned the trust and respect of the public.
The history of nursing shaped our current healthcare system, but nurses must continue
to monitor developments in science and technology, as well as changes in society to
determine how to best need the needs of the future.

Researched by: Pajaron, Edwin D. Prof. Luzviminda Macadangdang

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 Philippine Nursing History

Early Beliefs & Practices

 Two words: mysticism and superstitions. These were the early beliefs of health and
illness in the Philippines. The cause of a disease was primarily believed to be due to
either another person, whom which was an enemy, or a witch or evil spirits.
 In the early times, Filipinos were very cautious not to disturb other people or the evil
spirits for the good of their health. These evil spirits could be driven away by persons
with power to banish demons. Belief in special gods of healing, with the priest -
physician (called “word doctors”) as intermediary. If they used leaves or roots, they were
called herb doctors (“herbolarios”) Filipinos who became sick were usually cared for by
the female family members or friends in the home.

Early Care of the Sick

 The early Filipinos subscribed to superstitious belief and practices in relation to health
and sickness. Herb men were called “herbicheros” meaning one who practiced
witchcraft. Persons suffering from diseases without any identified cause were believed
bewitched by “mangkukulam” or “manggagaway”. Difficult childbirth and some
diseases (called “pamao”) were attributed to “nunos”. Midwives assisted in childbirth.
During labor, the “mabuting hilot” (good midwife) was called in. If the birth became
difficult, witches were supposed to be the cause. To disperse their influence, gunpowder
was exploded from a bamboo cane close to the head of the sufferer.

Health Care During the Spanish Regime

 The context of nursing has manifested through simple nutrition, wound care, and taking
care of an ill member of the family. Certain practices when taking care of a sick
individuals entails interventions from babaylan (priest physicians) or albularyo (herb
doctor). In 1578, male nurses were acknowledged as Spanish Friars’ assistants for caring
sick individuals in the hospital. These male nurses were referred
as practicante or enfermero.
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The religious orders exerted their efforts to care for the sick by building hospitals in different
parts of the Philippines. The earliest hospitals were:

a. Hospital Real de Manila (1577) – it was established mainly to care for the Spanish
king’s soldiers, but also admitted Spanish civilians; founded by Gov. Francisco de
Sande.

b. San Lazaro Hospital (1578) – founded by Brother Juan Clemente and was administered
for many years by the Hospitalliers of San Juan de Dios; built exclusively for patients
with leprosy.

c. Hospital de Indios (1586) – established by the Franciscan Order; service was in general
supported by alms and contributions from charitable persons.

d. Hospital de Aguas Santas (1590) – established in Laguna; near a medicinal spring,

founded by Brother J. Bautista of the Franciscan Order.

e. San Juan de Dios Hospital (1596) – founded by the Brotherhood of Misericordia and
administered by the Hospitaliers of San Juan de Dios; support was delivered from alms
and rents; rendered general health service to the public.

Nursing During the Philippine Revolution

 In the late 1890’s, the war between Philippines and Spain emerges which resulted to
significant number of casualties. With this, many women have assumed the role of
nurses in order to assist the wounded soldiers. The emergence of Filipina nurses
brought about the development of Philippines Red Cross.

Hospitals and Nursing Schools

 Americans began training the first Filipino nursing students in 1907. Nursing students in
the Philippines studied many of the same subjects as nursing students in the U.S.
However, it was believed that the curriculum in the Philippines “was never a mirror-

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 image reproduction of the American nursing curriculum” and involved more than a
simple transfer of knowledge from American nurses to Filipino nurses. The first Filipino
nursing students also studied subjects that were more relevant to their patients, such as
“the nursing of tropical diseases” and “industrial and living conditions in the islands,”
as described by Lavinia L. Dock’s 1912 book A History of Nursing: From the Earliest
Times to the Present Day with Special Reference to the Work of the Past Thirty Years.

Hospital School of Nursing’s Formal Training (1901 – 1911)

 Formal training in hospital school of nursing transpire. This began when American
missionary doctors and nurses realized that they manpower is insufficient. Thus it
resulted to a decision of training Filipino nurses that would be catering to the hospitals
that Americans established in the 20th century.

 The first hospital in the Philippines which trained Filipino nurses in 1906 was Iloilo
Mission Hospital, established by the Baptist Missionaries. When this health institution
was built, there were no strict requirements for the applicants as long as they are all
willing to work. This has been the beginning of development of more nursing schools in
the country. In this period, Pensionado Act of 1903 (or Act 854) was mandated, allowing
Filipino nursing student to study in United States. Among of the first wave of nurses
who went to United States

Iloilo Mission Hospital School of Nursing (Iloilo City, 1906)

 It was ran by the Baptist Foreign Mission Society of America. Miss Rose Nicolet, a
graduate of New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston, Massachusetts
was the first superintendent for nurses. It moved from its present location to Jaro Road,
Iloilo City in 1929. Miss Flora Ernst, an American nurse, took charge of the school in
1942. In April 1944 graduate nurses took the first Nurses Board Examination at the Iloilo
Mission Hospital.

Researched by: Pajaron, Edwin D. Prof. Luzviminda Macadangdang

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Saint Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing (Manila, 1907)

 The hospital was established by the Archbishop of Manila, Jeremiah Harty under the
supervision of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres located in Intramuros. It provided
general hospital services. It opened its training school for nurses in 1908, with Mother
Melanie as superintendent and Miss Chambers as Principal.

Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing (Manila, 1907)

 PGH began in 1901 as a small dispensary for Civil officers and Employees in the City of
Manila and later grew as a Civil Hospital. In 1906, Mary Coleman Masters, an educator
advocated for the idea of training Filipino girls for the profession of nursing with the
approval of Government officials, she first opened a dormitory for Girls enrolled at the
Philippine Normal Hall and the University of the Philippines.

 In 1907, with the support of Governor General Forbes and the Director of Health and
among others, she opened classes in nursing under the Auspices of the Bureau of
Education. Admission was based on an entrance examination. The applicant must have
completed elementary education to the seventh grade. Julia Nichols and Charlotte
Clayton taught the students nursing subjects. American physician also served as
lecturers.
In 1910, the Act No. 1976 modified the organization of the school placing it under the
supervision of the Department of Health. The Civil Hospital was abolished and the
Philippine General Hospital was established.

St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing (Quezon City, 1907)

 The hospital is an Episcopalian Institution. It began as a small dispensary in 1903. In

1907, the school opened with three girls admitted. These three girls had their first year in
combined classes with the PGH School of Nursing and St. Paul’s Hospital School of
Nursing. Miss Helen Hicks was the first principal. Mrs. Vitaliana Beltran was the first
Filipino superintendent of nurses and Dr. Jose Fores was the first medical director of the
hospital.

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 Mary Johnston Hospital and School of Nursing (Manila, 1907)

 It started as a small dispensary on Calle Cervantes (now Avenida). It was called the
Bethany Dispensary and funded by the Methodist Mission for the relief of suffering
among women and children. In 1907, Sister Rebecca Parrish together with registered
nurses Rose Dudley and Gertude Dreisbach, organized the Mary Johnston School of
Nursing. The nurses’ training course began with three Filipino young girls fresh from
elementary as their first students.

Philippine Christian Mission Institute Schools of Nursing

 The United Christian Missionary Society of Indianapolis, Indiana- a Protestant

organization of the disciples of Christ operated three schools of nursing.

 The Start of Nursing Practice (1911- 1921)

Promulgation of Act No. 2493 which amends Medical Law (Act No. 310) allowing the
regulation of nursing practice transpired during this period. However, in 1919, the First True
Nursing Law was enacted through Act 2808. During this period the Board Examiners for
Nursing was also created. The first nursing board examination was given on 1920. The first
executive officer of the Board Examiners for Nurses is a physicians.

Mary Chiles Hospital School of Nursing (Manila, 1911)

 The hospital was established by Dr. WN Lemon in a small house on Azcarraga,

Sampaloc, Manila. In 1913, Miss Mary Chiles of Montana donated a large sum of money
with which the preset building at Gastambide was bought. The Tuason Annex was
donated by Miss Esperanza Tuason, a Filipino Philanthropist.

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San Juan de Dios Hospital School of Nursing (Manila, 1913)

 In 1913, through the initiative of Dr. Benito Valdez, the board of inspectors and the
executive board of the hospital passed a resolution to open school of nursing. The school
has been run by the Daughters of Charity since then. Sister Taciana Tinanes was the first
Directress of the School

Emmanuel Hospital School of Nursing (Capiz, 1913)

 In 1913, the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society sent Dr. PH Lerrigo to Capiz for
the purpose of opening a hospital. Miss Rose Nicolet assisted him. The school offered a
3-year training course for an annual fee of Php 100.00. Miss Clara Pedroso was the first
principal

Southern Islands Hospital School of Nursing (Cebu, 1918)

 The hospital was established in 1911 under the Bureau of Health. The school opened in
1918 with Anastacia Giron-Tupas as the organizer. Miss Visitacion Perez was the first
principal

A Much Established Professional Organization: 1921 – 1931

 During this period, the precursor to the accredited professional organization in the
Philippines was created. The Filipino Nurses Association was established on October 15,
and the organization initiated the publication of Filipino Nurse Journal. Later, this
journal was changed to The Philippine Journal of Nursing. Amendment of certain
sections of the Act 2008 was conducted in 1922 under Act 3025 passed by the 5th
Legislature. This policy is entitled An Act Regulating the Practice of Nursing Profession
in the Philippine Islands, which necessitates all nurses who are practicing the profession
to register yearly. In 1929, the organization also became a member of the International
Council of Nurses.

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Through the 1930s, Philippine schools of nursing continued to adopt those aspects of American
professional nursing they deemed relevant and appropriate, such as higher admission
standards and the specialization of public health nursing.

Public Health Nursing Development: 1931 – 1941

 In 1933, the nursing institution have increased their requirement. During this period,
they have implemented that to enter nursing education an applicant must be able to
complete secondary education. The first collegiate nursing graduates of the Philippines
graduated from University of the Philippines School of Public Health Nursing in 1938.

Other Schools of Nursing

1. Zamboanga General Hospital School of Nursing (1921)

2. Chinese General Hospital School of Nursing (1921)
3. Baguio General Hospital School of Nursing (1923)
4. Manila Sanitarium Hospital and School of Nursing (1930)
5. St. Paul School of Nursing in Iloilo City (1946)
6. North General Hospital and School of Nursing (1946)
7. Siliman University School of Nursing (1947)

Nursing during World War II

With the occurrence of the largest and most violent armed conflict in the history of
mankind, there was a re-emergence of nursing needs as well as new programs to entice women
into training. In the US, the government empowered the women to contribute. In fact, more
women worked outside of the home and as well as growth opportunities involving nurses
multiplied.

While in the Philippines, World War II made public health nurses in Manila assigned to
devastated areas to attend the sick and the wounded. A year after, thirty one nurses who were
taken prisoners of war by the Japanese army and confined at the Bilibid Prison in Manila were
released to the Director of the Bureau of Health. And just like in the US, a lot of public health
nurses joined the guerillas or went to hide in the mountains during this time.
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In 1946, post war records of Bureau of Health showed that there were 308 public health nurses
and 38 supervisors compared to the pre-war 556 public health nurses and 38 supervisors. It was
in the same year when the creation of the Nursing Office in the Department of Health was
recommended by Mrs. Genera De Guzman, technical assistant in nursing of the DOH and the
President of the Filipino Nurses Association.

The Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 1941 – 1951

A nursing curriculum which was based on the thesis presented by Julita V. Sotejo, graduate of
the Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing, tackles on the development of a nursing
education within a University-based College of Nursing. This dissertation was the beginning of
nursing curriculum that have made the Nursing Institution of the country as a baccalaureate
course. During this period, College of Nursing was also created.

When the Japanese occupied the Philippines in 1942, training and practice at the hospital
schools of nursing in Manila was “violently disrupted.” However, U.S. colonial patterns in
Philippine nursing education soon returned after the U.S. reclaimed the country in 1945 and
even after the Philippines gained independence from the U.S. July 4, 1946.

The First Colleges of Nursing in the Philippines

University of Santo Tomas-College of Nursing (1946)

In its first year of existence, its enrollees were consisted of students from different school of
nursing whose studied were interrupted by the war. In 1947, the Bureau of Private Schools
permitted UST to grant the title Graduate Nurse to the 21 students who were of advanced
standing from 1948 up to the present. The college has offered excellent education leading to a
baccalaureate degree. Sor Taciana Trinanes was its first directress. Presently, Associate
Professor Glenda A. Vargas, RN, MAN serves as its Dean.

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 Manila Central University-College of Nursing (1947)

 The MCU Hospital first offered BSN and Doctor of Medicine degrees in 1947 and served
as the clinical field for practice. Miss Consuelo Gimeno was its first principal. Presently,
Professor Lina A. Salarda, RN, MAN, EdD serves as its Dean.

University of the Philippines Manila-College of Nursing (1948)

 The idea of opening the college began in a conference between Miss Julita Sotejo and UP
President. In April 1948, the University Council approved the curriculum, and the Board
of Regents recognized the profession as having an equal standing as Medicine,
Engineering etc. Miss Julita Sotejo was its first dean. Presently, Professor Josefina A.
Tuason, RN, MAN, DrPh is once more reappointed as the Dean of UP Manila College of
Nursing

Further Changes in Nursing Law: 2001- to Present

During this period, the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 was enacted under the Republic Act No.
9173 which entails changes on existing policies under Republic Act No. 7164. These changes
underscore on the requirements for faculty and Dean of the Colleges of Nursing, as well as the
conduct for Nursing Licensure Exam.

In a glance

College of Nursing

1. UST College of Nursing – 1st College of Nursing in the Phils: 1877

2. MCU College of Nursing – June 1947 (1st College who offered BSN – 4 year program)
3. UP College of Nursing – June 1948
4. FEU Institute of Nursing – June 1955
5. UE College of Nursing – Oct 1958

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1909

 3 female graduated as “qualified medical-surgical nurses”

1919

 The 1st Nurses Law (Act#2808) was enacted regulating the practice of the nursing
profession in the Philippines Islands. It also provided the holding of exam for the
practice of nursing on the 2nd Monday of June and December of each year.

1920

 1st board examination for nurses was conducted by the Board of Examiners, 93
candidates took the exam, 68 passed with the highest rating of 93.5%-Anna Dahlgren
 Theoretical exam was held at the UP Amphitheater of the College of Medicine
and Surgery. Practical exam at the PGH Library.

1953

 Republic Act 877, known as the “Nursing Practice Law” was approved.

Though it was not always considered as a profession, Nursing has already been existing for
centuries. Its significance of today will definitely not be proven real if not because of its
remarkable history. And now, the value of Nursing has stood the test of time and is
becoming more visible in the eyes of many not only because of its past, but also due to its
considerable contribution in the society.

Researched by: Pajaron, Edwin D. Prof. Luzviminda Macadangdang

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