History of Nursing in Nigeria

Matthew Idowu OLATUBI

Department of Nursing Science

Bowen University, Iwo

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Nursing History in Nigeria

• Nursing came to Nigeria through the BritishColonial masters.

• The first nursing home in Nigeria in Jericho,Ibadan by the government of the British Colonialmasters.

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Nursing History in Nigeria

• Later on missionaries and their wives came tosupplement government effort by setting upMission homes, Dispensaries e.t.c. andcommence the training of Nurses in Nigeria

• There was no formal training but on the Jobacquisition skills and practical aspect are beenrendered by nursing surgery.

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Nursing History in Nigeria

• The regional government in Nigeria began thetraining of nurses by settings individual regionalstandard.

• In 1949, the School of Nursing, Eleyele wasestablished to facilitate the training of nurses,

• later in 1952, the University College HospitalIbadan started the training of nurses in a higherstandard.

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Nursing History in Nigeria

• In 1949, the Nursing Council of Nigeria wasestablished to complement the efforts of thevarious training bodies and creating standards forNurses.

• By 1965, a department of Nursing was establishedin the University of Ibadan to commence a degreeprogramme in Nigeria.

• Later on, University of Ife and University ofNigeria, Enugu also started degree in 1973.

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Nursing History in Nigeria• At present, all the states in Nigeria has one or more

School of Nursing, Midwifery and kinds of Post Basicschools.

• More degree awarding institutions has beengranted the license to produce degree holder inNursing.

• Among them are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria;University of Calabar, Calabar; Ladoke AkintolaUniversity (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho. Also privateUniversity, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo;;Madonna University, Bowen Univerity among othersstarted degree in Nursing.

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Nursing leaders in Nigeria

• Ms. Kujore – Started the Ife Baccalaureate program

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Nursing as An Art and Science

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Definition of Nursing

• The “act of utilizing the environment of the patient toassist him in his recovery” – Florence Nightingale

• ‘The unique function of the nurse is to assist theindividual, sick or well, in the performance of thoseactivities contributing to health or its recovery (or topeaceful death) that he would perform unaided if hehad the necessary strength, will or knowledge, and todo this in such a way as to help him gainindependence as rapidly as possible’ –VirginiaHenderson

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Definition of Nursing

• “Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of humanresponses to actual or potential health problems” –ANA, 1980

• “Nursing is the protection, promotion andoptimization of health and abilities, preventions ofillness and injury, alleviation of suffering through thediagnosis and treatment of human response, andadvocacy in the care of individuals, families,communities, & population”

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Theoretical definition of Nursing• Themes common to all these definitions:

– Nursing is caring

– Nursing is an art

– Nursing is a science

– Nursing is client centered

– Nursing is wholistic

– Nursing is adaptive

– Nursing is concerned with health promotion,health maintenance & restoration

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Nursing Philosophy

• Nursing philosophy sets forth the meaning ofnursing phenomenon through analysis, reasoningand logical argument

• Philosophy contribute to nursing knowledge byproviding direction for the discipline and forminga basis for professional scholarship, which lead tonew theoretical understanding

• Nursing philosophies represent early works thatpredate the theory era

• Philosophies are works that provide a broadunderstanding.

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Recipients of Nursing care

• Consumers: people who use health careproducts or services

• Patient: person who is waiting for orundergoing medical treatment and care

• Client: Person who engages the advice orservices of another who is qualified to providea particular service

• Client is the preferred term now!

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Scope of Nursing

• Promoting health & wellness

• Preventing illness

• Restoring health

• Caring for the Dying

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Roles & Functions of the Nurse

• Caregiver

• Communicator

• Teacher

• Client advocate

• Counsellor

• Change Agent

• Leader

• Manager

• Case manage

• Research consumer

• Expanded care roles

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Criteria of a profession• Professionalization is the process of becoming a

profession, that is acquiring characteristicsconsidered to be professional.

• Specialized education

• Body of knowledge

• Service orientation

• Increasing research

• Code of ethics

• Autonomy

• Professional organization

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Socialization into Nursing Roles • The education of the professional involves

socialization process• Social and attitudinal aspects of nursing is as

important as it technical aspect• Socialization is a process by which people:

– Learn to become member of groups and society– Learn the social rules defining relationships into which

they enter

• Socialization involves learning to behave, feel,and see the world in a manner similar to otherpersons occupying the same role as oneself(Hardy & Conway, 1988)

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Benner’s Stages of Nursing Expertise

• Stage I - Novice

• Stage II - Advanced Beginner

• Stage III - Competent

• Stage IV - Proficient

• Stage V - Expert

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Factors influencing contemporary nursing practice

• Changes in the Socio-Cultural Environment

• Economic development

• Increase and growing sense of responsibilitiesof nurses to recipients of care

• The new Clientele in the Health Industry(Consumer demands)

• The family structure

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

Factors influencing contemporary nursing practice

• Economics• Consumer demands• Family structure• The rise in Literacy level• The greater awareness of individual’s rights and

obligations of human worth of dignity• Advances in Medical Science and Technology• Legislation• Demographic changes• Nursing shortage• Collective bargaining• Nursing association

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

NURSING ORGANISATIONS• National Association of Nigerian Nurses &

Midwives (NANNM)

• American Nurses Association (ANA)

• Canadian Nurses Association (CAN)

• National League of Nursing

• International Council of Nurses (ICN)

• International Honor Society: Sigma

• National Student Nurses Association– Nigeria University Nurses student Association

(NUNSA)

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State

THANK YOU

Bowen University Iwo, Osun State