Dr. Linda S. Thompson Adams, the Dean and Professor of the School of Nursing at Oakland University, in her speech to a large gathering of student nurses, advocated the cause of the weaker sections and minority groups in society. Discrimination, poverty and hopelessness were their lot, for which agents of social change could do much to improve their living conditions and their life. She expressed her pride in the nurses for doing the work they did, and reiterated that they all deserved credit for it. Dr. Thompson Adams had immense confidence that the group of student nurses were capable of bringing about great changes in society in the future.
“You are the people who have the power to be leaders. You have the power to make history” (Thompson Adams, 2006). “From the beginning, nurses have been at the center of our history supporting civil rights and women’s rights and caring for those in need; focusing on the vulnerable and needy in our society”, stated Dr. Thompson Adams (2006). She emphasized the fact that it was not necessary to be born wealthy or have had a “fancy upbringing”. She came from a background of poverty and hopelessness herself.
She struggled against all odds to educate herself and to reach a high level in the nursing profession, since this vocation convinced her that she would be able to make the most difference in the lives of many people, healthwise and in their social condition. Dr. Thompson Adams herself is a role model and example, as she has spent the majority of her career promoting policies and programs to improve the quality of life of vulnerable populations, and has been actively involved in helping the downtrodden.
History of Nurses as Agents of Social Change: According to Kitson (1996), there was great social turbulence in the latter part of the 19th century, from which professional nursing emerged. This was a period of major scientific advancement and controversy as well as of social reform. It is important to remember that the history of nursing is rarely one of triumph in the face of adversity but of struggle and compromise and often defeat. But many nurses had intense feelings towards their work, and devoted themselves to their profession.
Nurses with a life-long commitment to nursing, and their impact on the health or social history of the United States are given the prestigious honor of induction into the Hall of Fame by the Alabama Nurses’ Association. Some of these veteran nurses are: Harriet Patience Dame (1815-1900): A selfless care-giver, the Civil War nurses contribution of work led to a dramatic change in the way the military delivered health care. She repeatedly rose to challenges presented to her no matter how difficult.
Her leadership, advocacy, innovation and expert ability to provide holistic care to the sick and wounded stands as a true testament to the nursing profession (Nursing World, 2002). Sadie Heath Cabaniss, R.N. (1863-1921): Cabaniss was a true pioneer nurse. She developed the first training school for nurses in her state, convinced nurse training schools in Virginia to form Alumni Associations, and then in 1901 she formed the Virginia Nurses Association. Cabaniss helped draft a measure that would regulate the practice of nursing in the Commonwealth, and the Bill was enacted in 1903.
She was a public health advocate, and founded the Nurses Settlement of Richmond, VA, where nurses provided care to patients in their homes. She also helped develop dispensaries and rural visiting nurse services. Veronica Margaret Driscoll, EdD, R.N. (1926-1994): In a career that spanned nearly forty-five years, Driscoll proved her commitment to the cause of nursing. Due to her leadership, nurses won increased wages, benefits and improved practice environments. She was key to ensuring the enactment of the groundbreaking 1972 New York State Nurse Practice Act.
Driscoll later served as the first executive director of the Foundation of the New York State Nurses Association.
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