Nurses are called the lifeblood of healthcare, yet their contributions to medicine are often overlooked. Discover the rich history of this vital yet underappreciated profession.

This encyclopedia offers readers more than 150 reference entries covering the long and multifaceted history of nursing, providing a broad yet highly curated introduction to the subject. Coverage is global in scope and highlights key people, institutions, events, and concepts in nursing from antiquity to the present day. Each entry includes cross-referencing to related topics and a list of further readings. A timeline that places key events in context rounds out the volume.

The history of nursing is one of compassion, dedication, and innovation. Since the dawn of humanity, individuals – often women – have taken it upon themselves to care for the sick and injured. Over millennia, this informal at-home caretaking slowly evolved into the highly skilled and specialized occupation that nursing is today. During the Middle Ages, nursing was largely the domain of religious orders, which established hospitals and schools of nursing. In the 19th century, nursing education became secular, and pioneers such as Florence Nightingale helped to professionalize and transform nursing. In the 20th century, nursing expanded to include a wider range of roles and responsibilities. The Covid-19 pandemic starkly illustrated the essential role nurses play in medical systems around the world, as well as shedding light on the modern problems that plague this ancient profession.