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Nursing Schools

The nursing schools are type of educational institution that provides education and training to become a fully-qualified nurse. The nature of nursing education and nursing qualifications varies according to the countries across the world.

In 1860, Florence Nightingale initiated the idea of establishing nursing schools from her base at St Thomas' Hospital, London when she opened the 'Nightingale Training School for Nurses'. She wanted to train the nurses to a qualified level, and help them to learn to develop observation skills and sensitivity to patient needs which will help them to work in hospital posts across the United Kingdom and abroad. Nursing is now taught at a number of British universities. The University of Manchester was one of the first British institutions to offer the course at degree level.

The basic eligibility for entering any levels for nursing courses, sought by most universities, are five Standard Grades/GCSEs with English, Maths and a science subject preferably biology, and two Higher or A-Levels. Students, over the age of twenty-one, can enter the nursing courses upon completion of college, and experience in jobs such as a health or nursing assistant also considered worthy for the course.

In UK the nursing courses is for three years. In the first year the students learn anatomy and physiology and basic health care. In the second year the students choose their area of specialization from among four branches such as adult nursing, pediatric nursing, mental health and learning disability nursing. Those who are studying midwifery specialize in this area from the very first day of their course.

In 1923 Yale School of Nursing is the first autonomous school of nursing in the United States. In 1956, the Columbia University School of Nursing is the first nursing school in the United States to grant a master's degree in a clinical nursing specialty.

For entry in the nursing school the pre-requisites include math, English, and other basic level courses. Courses in biology, anatomy, pathology, pharmacology and physiology are required. A strong emphasis is placed on various medical procedures procedural such as insertion of intravenous and urinary catheters, sterile dressing changes, proper administration of medications, physical examinations, caring bedside manner, and other vital skills. Basic skills are obtained after the first semester only during which the students get holistic views on Obstetrics, Mental Health, Medical, Surgical, Oncology, Critical Care and Pediatric Units and what it encompasses. Many nursing students and nursing schools use medical and healthcare educational software as a study or training aid.

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