I.

Introduction

Florence Nightingale defined nursing over 100 years ago as the act of utilizing the environment of the patient to assist him in his recovery. (Nightingale, 1860) - a clean, well-ventilated & quiet environment are essential for recovery (the lady with a lamp/mother of modern nursing) Virginia Henderson -the unique function of the nurse to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to a peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he has the necessary strength, will, or knowledge, and to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly ad possible. (Henderson, 1966) - nurse concerned with both well and ill individuals, acknowledged that nurses interact with clients even when recovery may not be feasible. American Nurses Association - direct, goal-oriented, and adaptable to the needs of the individual, the family, and community during health and illness. (ANA, 1973)