Nurses Then and Now Nurses Then and Now Kartchner Clark

PRIMARY SOURCE READERS Nurses Then and Now Nurses Then and Now Kartchner Clark

Sarah Kartchner Clark 1 Contributing Author Creative Director Jill K. Mulhall, M.Ed. Lee Aucoin Associate Editor Illustration Manager Christina Hill, M.A. Timothy J. Bradley Assistant Editor Designers Torrey Maloof Lesley Palmer Editorial Director Debora Brown Emily R. Smith, M.A.Ed. Zac Calbert Project Researcher Robin Erickson Gillian Eve Makepeace Project Consultant Editor-in-Chief Corinne Burton, M.A.Ed. Sharon Coan, M.S.Ed. Publisher Editorial Manager Rachelle Cracchiolo, M.S.Ed. Gisela Lee, M.A.

2 Table of Contents What Is a Nurse? ...... 4–5 How to Become a Nurse ...... 6–7 Types of Nurses ...... 8–9 What Does a Nurse Do? ...... 10–11 Where Do Nurses Work? ...... 12–13 The Nurse Uniform ...... 14–15 Famous Nurses ...... 16–17 Helping a Nurse ...... 18–19 Nurses Around the World ...... 20–21 Future of Nursing ...... 22–23 A Day in the Life Then ...... 24–25 Tools of the Trade Then ...... 26 Tools of the Trade Now ...... 27 A Day in the Life Now ...... 28–29 Glossary ...... 30 Index ...... 31 Credits ...... 32

3 What Is a Nurse? Have you ever met a nurse? A nurse is a person who helps us when we are sick. A nurse gives us medicine (MED-uh-sin). He or she works hard to make patients (PAY-shuntz) feel better. A nurse is very helpful.

A nurse → helps a man drink through a straw.

4 Nurses → use medical supplies to treat people.

↓ This needle was used to give shots long ago.

5 How to Become a Nurse Have you ever thought about being a nurse? What does it take to become a nurse? If you want to be a nurse, it takes a lot of hard work. Nurses have to go to nursing school. There they are trained about how to care for sick people. Nurses take a lot of classes on how the body works.

This poster → was used to get people to become nurses.

Male or Female? All nurses used to be women. Men could not go to nursing school. West Penn Hospital changed this. They let men attend their nursing school. Today, there are a lot of male nurses.

6 The First Nursing School Long ago, nurses did not go to school. They were taught by doctors. At that time, most nurses just helped during times of war and illness. Many nurses were nuns or worked for the army. Then, the first nursing school was started in Germany in 1846.

↓ Nursing students practice their skills on a “dummy” patient.

7 ↑ Nurses watch patients and share information with each other in nurse’s stations. Types of Nurses There are different types of nurses. Registered (REJ-uhs-tuhrd) nurses are one type of nurse. They go to school for many years. They have a degree (dih-GREE) in nursing. A nurse practitioner (prak- TISH-uh-ner) is a registered nurse with even more training. These nurses can do some of the same tasks doctors do! 8 Midwives Long ago, there were few doctors. Women needed help when they were ready to have babies. So, some women became midwives. Most of them were mothers. They knew a lot about birth. They helped keep babies healthy.

Early Nurses Early nurses made recipe (RES-uh-pee) books. These books listed ways to help people who were sick. The recipes showed how ↑ This nurse helps to make medicines from deliver babies. plants and herbs. These medicines were used to treat wounds and ← The licorice plant was soothe fevers. used to make medicine.

9 What Does a Nurse Do? Nurses have many things to do. They help doctors care for sick people. And, they keep patients’ records up-to-date. Nurses also keep hospitals running smoothly. They work hard to keep patients comfortable.

↓ This nurse is reading a chart. Each patient has a chart with his or her health information.

10 Nurses use many tools. These tools help them take care of sick people. A scale is used to check a person’s weight. A thermometer (thur- Doctors vs. Nurses MOM-uh-tuhr) is used Do you know the difference to check a person’s between a doctor and a nurse? temperature (TEMP-uhr- A doctor goes to school uh-chuhr). Sometimes, longer than a nurse. A doctor learns how to treat and cure a nurse may have to use illnesses. A nurse is trained to a syringe (suh-RINJ) to assist a doctor. A nurse gives give a shot. Nurses do medicines. He or she keeps the the doctor up-to-date on how their best to make shots the patient is doing. not hurt.

A nurse → checks her patient’s temperature.

11 ↑ This nurse works in an ambulance.

Where Do Nurses Work? Most nurses work in hospitals. But, there are other nurses who work in doctors’ offices. And, some nurses work in nursing homes that care for older people. There is even a nurse who works at your school. This nurse takes care of students who get sick at school. Have you met your school nurse yet? 12 Working Hours The hours that a nurse works can be very long. Many nurses work a 12-hour shift. That is a long time! Some nurses work all night and other nurses work during the day. Nurses have to be ready to help people at all times.

↓ Nurses caring for newborn babies

Special Nurses There are nurses who are trained to do certain jobs. This means they are very good at what they do. There are nurses that treat only one kind of illness. Some take care of just babies. Others may only work in emergency rooms.

13 The Nurse Uniform Long ago, nurses wore special outfits. They all looked the same. They wore dresses with white aprons and caps. These caps were made just for nurses. Uniforms are used so people know who the nurses are. Today, most nurses wear scrubs. Scrubs are very comfortable. They come in all colors. Some nurses even have scrubs with pictures on them. If a nurse works with children, he or she can have funny scrubs. This makes the kids feel better.

← This nurse is wearing blue scrubs.

A mortar → and pestle

14 Student Nurses Student nurses used to wear special pins. This helped the doctors know which nurses were still students.

← Nurses in their uniforms in 1901.

Medicines Did you know that nurses used to make medicines? They used special tools. A mortar (MOR-tuhr) was a small bowl. The medicine was put inside it. Then, a pestle (PEH-suhl) was used to grind and mix the medicine.

15 Famous Nurses There have been many famous nurses throughout time. They are an important part of history. Linda Richards was the first woman to be trained as a nurse. She thought it would be a good idea for nurses to wear uniforms and keep records on patients. Mary Eliza Mahoney (MUH-ho-nee) was the first African American nurse. She has an award named after her. This award is given to nurses today.

Florence Nightingale In 1851, Florence Nightingale (FLOR-uhnz NI-tuhn-gale) took over a hospital in London. It was very dirty. So, she cleaned it up. She knew that a hospital needed to be clean and in order. Ms. Nightingale was known as the “Lady with the Lamp.” That is because she would walk around all night with a lamp. This is how she checked on her patients. 16 ↓ A poster about the Red Cross

Clara Barton Another famous nurse was Clara Barton. She was an important nurse during the Civil War. She cared for many wounded and sick soldiers. Clara Barton began the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is a group that helps people in need all over the world.

Clara Barton 17 You Can Help! Have you ever wondered if you could help a nurse? You can! You can help by telling the nurse exactly how you are feeling. Make sure you listen carefully. And, make sure you follow his or her advice. This will help you get well soon.

A nursing assistant helps → a man walk with crutches.

Helping a Nurse Nurses help doctors. But, nurses need help, too. Nursing assistants help nurses by doing small tasks. They may give patients baths or feed patients who need help eating. This makes the job of a nurse easier. An orderly also works hard to help nurses. This person brings patients to different places in the hospital. And, he or she helps keep track of tools and supplies.

18 Hospital Volunteers ↑ In 1953, these There can be a lot of patients in a high school girls hospital. So, the nurses need help. volunteered in Volunteers (VOL-uhn-teerz) help in a hospital. hospitals. Many volunteers are students. They offer their help for free. They might keep track of records. Or, they can help keep things clean and in order.

19 Nurses Around the World Nurses work in many places. They may travel all over the world. Some nurses work where there is a war. They help soldiers who are hurt. Other nurses may work in orphanages (OR-fuh-nij-es). These children need special care. And, there are nurses in hospitals and offices all over the world. There is always a need for a nurse. ↑ World War II poster

↓ Nurses helping people in Asia

20 The Red Cross Have you ever seen the Red Cross symbol? It is a symbol of hope and help. The Red Cross was set up to help people in need. There are many nurses who work for the Red Cross. They help during times of war and disaster (dih- ZAS-tuhr).

↑ A Red Cross poster

International Nurses Day Did you know that there is a special day for nurses? It is called Nurses Day. It is on May 12. This is the day that Florence Nightingale was born. On this day, nurses are honored for the work that they do.

Florence Nightingale 21 Future of Nursing The job of a nurse continues to change. Nurses learn new things every day. They have to keep up with the changes in medicine. Medical tools change, too. There are also new ways to care for sick people.

↓ Nurses have to learn to use new machines.

22 ↑ A nurse checks to make sure her patient's heart is healthy.

One thing has stayed the same. The job of a nurse is to help people get well. Nurses can teach people how to stay healthy. Being a nurse is a hard job. But, it is a very important one.

23 A Day in the Life Then

Jane Delano (1862–1919) Jane Delano was a nurse for the Red Cross. She was very brave. She helped take care of soldiers when they fought in wars. Many women joined the Red Cross after hearing her speak. Delano was a great role model for nurses. And, she was a great help to her community.

Let’s pretend to ask Jane Delano some questions about her job.

Why did you decide to be a nurse? I think that nursing is a great job. I want to help people. My father died in the Civil War. In fact, many men died in that war. There need to be more nurses when there is a war. Their help is greatly needed! I hope that the Red Cross will help soldiers return home safely.

24 What is your day like? Right now I am traveling across the United States. I speak at nursing schools and hospitals. I am trying to get more nurses to join the Red Cross.

What do you like most about your job? I have learned so many things as a nurse. It really is a great job. I am saving lives. I am even writing a book about what I have learned. I hope it will help nurses in the future.

↑ Ms. Delano worked in a hospital like this one. 25 Tools of the Trade Then

← This nurse gave baths to babies in the hospital. Soap and water were important tools. They killed germs. This kept people from getting sick.

↓ These nurses rolled bandages. Bandages were used to stop patients’ wounds from bleeding.

↑ This is a wheelchair from long ago. Nurses used this chair to help people who could not walk.

26 Tools of the Trade Now

← Nurses today wear scrubs. Today, male and female nurses can dress the same.

Today, people can move → wheelchairs by pressing buttons. Nurses do not have to push them.

← This nurse works in a hospital. Her patient is hooked up to many machines. These machines help nurses care for their patients.

27 A Day in the Life Now Christine Carreon Christine Carreon (care-ee-ON) is a nurse practitioner (prak- TISH-uh-ner) in the city of Los Angeles. She sees patients in offices and at hospitals. She loves to read books about medicine. In her free time, she likes to travel. She also loves to snow ski and exercise. This helps her stay healthy.

Why did you decide to become a nurse? I used to work in a business office. But, I would rather work with patients. I went back to school to become a nurse practitioner. Now, I can see my own patients. I also write prescriptions (prih-SKRIP-shuhns).

28 What is your day like? I talk to patients. I find out why they do not feel well. Then, I decide if tests should be done. That way, I can tell them how to feel better.

What do you like most about your job? My job is great. I help people every day. When my patients feel better, I am happy.

← Mrs. Carreon checks a patient’s ears.

29 Glossary degree—a title given after a person completes classes at a college herbs—types of plants used in some medicines medicine—pills or syrup used to treat sickness midwives—women who help other women have babies mortar—a strong bowl orphanages—places where children without parents live patients—people who go to see a doctor pestle—a small tool used for grinding and crushing prescriptions—written orders for medicine recipe—a set of steps used to make something scrubs—clothing worn by nurses shift—hours that a person works syringe—a tool that puts medicine into the body temperature—degree of hot or cold thermometer—a tool used to check body temperature uniforms—special clothes worn by a group volunteers—people who help others for free

30 wounds—cuts or injuries Index Asia, 20–21 Nightingale, Florence, bandages, 26–27 16–17, 20–21 Barton, Clara, 16–17 Nurses Day, 20–21 Carreon, Christine, nursing school, 6–7 28–29 pestle, 14–15 Civil War, 24–25 recipe, 8–9 degree, 8–9 Red Cross, 16–17, 20–21, Delano, Jane, 24–25 24–25 Germany, 6–7 Richards, Linda, 16–17 London, 16–17 scrubs, 14–15, 26–27 Los Angeles, 28–29 student nurse, 14–15 Mahoney, Mary Eliza, syringe, 10–11 16–17 temperature, 10–11 male nurses, 6–7 thermometer, 10–11 medicine, 4–5, 8–9, tools, 10–11, 18–19, 26–27 14–15 uniforms, 14–15 midwives, 8–9 volunteers, 18–19 mortar, 14–15 wheelchair, 26–27 World War II, 20–21

31 Credits Acknowledgements Special thanks to Christine Carreon for providing the Day in the Life Now interview. Mrs. Carreon is a nurse practitioner in Los Angeles, California. Image Credits cover Photos.com; p.1 Photos.com; p.4 The Library Congress; p.5 (left) Photos. com; p.5 (right) Photos.com; p.6 The Library of Congress; p.7 Merlyn Severn/ Picture Post/Getty Images; p.8 Photos.com; p.9 (top) Cory Docken/ Dreamstime.com; p.9 (bottom) Clipart.com; p.10 Photos.com; p.11 Photos.com; p.12 Comstock Images; p.13 (top) Hemera Technologies, Inc; p.13 (bottom) Chris Niedenthal/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images; p.14 Photos.com; p.15 (top) The Library of Congress; p.15 (middle) Photos.com; p.15 (bottom) Photos.com; p.16 The Library of Congress; p.17 (top) The Library of Congress; p.17 (bottom) The Library of Congress; p.18 Photos.com; p.19 Carl Iwasaki/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images; p.20 (top) Photos.com; p.20 (bottom) Shaul Schwarz/Getty Images; p.21 (top) The Library of Congress; p.21 (bottom) The Library of Congress; p.21 (bottom) The Library of Congress; p.22 Manuel Bruque/AFP/Getty Images; p.23 Jaimie Duplass/Shutterstock, Inc.; p.24 (top) The Library of Congress; p.25 The Library of Congress; p.26 (top) The Library of Congress; p.26 (middle) Clipart. com; p.26 (bottom) The Library of Congress; p.27 (top) iStockphoto.com/Jeffrey Smith; p.27 (middle) Clipart.com; p.27 (bottom) iStockphoto.com/Nathan Watkins; p.28 Courtesy of Christine Carreon; p.29 Courtesy of Christine Carreon; back cover The Library of Congress