Česky
From the history of Czech nursing
Although the origins of Czech nursing date back to the 10th century, when the first hospices were founded and the first hospitals were established by religious orders, nursing at that time provided a lay service and was performed without professional training. In Bohemia, the first nursing schools, following Nightingale's example, were opened in 1874 and 1916, and their graduates pioneered nursing education in Bohemia. Two years later a higher social school was established in Prague, which prepared social workers (later diploma nurses) for independent work in the field as part of a one-year course of study. The development of nursing education in the following years was interrupted by the war, and nurses could only start to be educated again after 1945. The new era of Czech nursing dates back to 1989, when nursing was transformed in terms of education, practice and legislation, and nurses have since then had far greater opportunities for development and performance than before.
Theme in 2017: the role of nurses in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Nurses are an indispensable element in the treatment of patients. They are not only present at the birth of new life, helping to alleviate patients' suffering, but often accompany them on their last journey. They are not only skilled and dedicated, but also educated and empathetic. It is therefore more than appropriate to appreciate their work. To celebrate International Nurses' Day, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has been announcing key nursing themes and highlighting global issues every year since 1988. In 2017, the discussion will be led by the theme "Nurses: at the forefront of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals". This year, the organisation's publication offers a series of case studies that demonstrate the excellent work nurses around the world are doing to improve access to healthcare, educate the general public or improve nutrition. It draws attention to the fact that nurses are indispensable to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
"Nursing is ranked high on prestige lists, but society is often not really aware of what the nursing profession requires. It's several professions rolled into one. The nursing profession is difficult and there are high demands placed on it. The job is bound by many regulations. A nurse must be socially competent in order to provide the best possible care. The nurse is the communication point between the doctor and the patient. The communication point between the laboratory, pharmacy and other departments of hospitals. A lifelong learner, she must be smiling, prompt, helpful, dedicated. Often works under stress, adapts quickly to new changes that she is forced to constantly monitor. Still, the satisfaction of helping others is and will be the main motivation for the nursing profession. Therefore, thanking us for our work today was a great pleasure," said Bc. Lenka Sprateková, radiotherapy station nurse.
"For the management of our Cancer Centre, the most valuable are the people who work here. We admire our nurses not only for their expertise, but also for being kind to our patients and managing to take care of their families. Without their hard and responsible work, our cancer center would not be able to provide such high quality services. That is why we consider this symbolic day so important," said Vít Ulrych, MD, physician and spokesperson.
