Evolution of Spanish Nursing: From the Golden Age to Nightingale

T5. The Spanish Golden Age of Nursing (1550–1650)

The period between 1550 and 1650 is recognized as the Golden Age of Spanish nursing. During this era, a confluence of events occurred that challenged the so-called "dark period of nursing."

Key Developments in Spanish Nursing

• Religious Orders and Congregations: The expansion of orders aimed at assisting the poor and sick was significant. Notable groups include the Order of San Juan de Dios, the Congregation of Poor Nurses (Obregones), and the Order of Bethlehemites, which expanded throughout the Americas.
• Nursing Manuals: The drafting of manuals written by and for nurses became common. Key texts include the Instruction for Nurses and Nurses Directory by Obregón, and the Brief Compendium of Surgery by Simón López.
• New Framework for Nursing Practice: This period introduced a framework encompassing the four currently recognized functions: care, administration, management, teaching, and research. It emphasized a holistic view of the patient: biological, psychological, spiritual, and social.

This era marked a break from previous nursing practices. Internationally, institutions such as the Daughters of Charity, founded by St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, established foundations for the care of the poor and sick that remain influential in Spain today.

T7. The Nightingale School: The Birth of Professional Nursing

The Nightingale model established nursing as a distinct career with specific content. It synthesized care traditions from religious orders and voluntary training schools, while incorporating military and religious connotations. It promoted the idea of higher education, moving away from the ignorance that had characterized nursing in previous centuries.

Features of the Nightingale Model

• Patient-Centered Care: Focuses on the individual rather than just the disease.
• Holistic Approach: Considers psychological and environmental aspects in relation to health.
• Professional Identity: A secular, professional, and quasi-military structure.
• Systematic Practice: Emphasizes observation, planning, and specific training for medical units.
• Moral and Professional Standards: Focuses on the moral attitudes of the nurse and peer-led training.
• Institutional Administration: Encourages nurse participation in health institution management.
• Preventative Care: Prioritizes health promotion and disease prevention.
• Professional Service: Establishes nursing as a paid, professional service provided in both hospital and outpatient settings.