Nursing Agency

Care in nursing originated from the times of Hippocrates, known as “the father of modern medicine”. Nursing and nurses also have association with religion due to Christian practice, hospitals and missions where male monks served as nurses in Europe.

Mother Theresa is a global symbol of nursing the sick and vulnerable. The concept of the nursing agency or provision of nursing care developed in Europe from the 17th century where people convicted of crimes or having to serve sentences as punishment were expected to provide care to prostitutes and other criminals.

The profession of nursing and respect for the occupation grew vastly through the practice of English nurses such as Florence Nightingale who cared for soldiers in the Crimean War, and who later founded St Thomas' Hospital in London.

The Nightingale Pledge is still taken by nurses associated with nursing agencies throughout the world, similar to the Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors. International Nursing Day is celebrated around 12 May.

Other memorable people globally have contributed to the development of the nursing profession and science, such as Linda Richards, America's first trained nurse, and Ellen Dougherty, New Zealand's first registered nurse.

Nursing practice is the actual provision of nursing care, and is defined differently by organisations
world-wide.

The International Council of Nurses defines nursing practice as:

“Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing i includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people.

Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles.”

“Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing i includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles.”

“The use of clinical judgement in the provision of care to enable people to improve, maintain, or recover health, to cope with health problems, and to achieve the best possible quality of life, whatever their disease or disability, until death.”