Its history indicates that the principles and practices of nursing are ancient. These ancient nursing practices are so clear, intelligent and scientific, that many of them might fit into any of the modern textbook. Prior to the 20th century, Indian nurses were usually young men, and only in special cases, women were taken for conducting childbirth. The progress of nursing in India was obstructed by the low status of women, the caste system, illiteracy and political unrest.
In 1908, the trained nurses association of India was formed as it was felt necessary to uphold the dignity and honor of the nursing profession.
In 1918, training schools were started for health visitors and dais, at Delhi and Karachi. Two English nurses Miss Griffin and Miss Graham were appointed to give training to and to supervise the nurses.
In 1926, Madras State formed the first registration council to provide basic standards in education and training. The first four year basic Bachelor Degree program were established in 1946 at the college of nursing in Delhi and Vellore.
With the assistance from the Rockfeller Foundations, seven health centers were set up between 1931 - 1939 in the cities of Delhi, Madras, Bangalore, Lucknow, Trivandrum, Pune and Calcutta.
In 1947, after the independence, the community development programme and the expansion of hospital service created a large demand for nurses, auxiliary nurse midwives, health visitors, midwives, nursing tutors and nursing administrators.
The Indian Nursing Council was passed by our ordinance on December 31, 1947. The council was constituted in 1949.
In 1956, Miss Adrenwala was appointed as the Nursing Advisor to Government of India. The development of Nursing in India was greatly influenced by the Christian missionaries, World War, British rule and by the International agencies such as W.H.O. UNICEF, Red Cross, UNSAID etc.
The first master’s degree course, a two-year postgraduate program was begun in 1960 at the College of Nursing, Delhi. In 1963, the School of Nursing in Trivandrum, instituted the first two years post certificate Bachelor Degree program.
The associations such as International Council of Nurses, the nurses auxiliary of the CMA of India, T.N.A.I. Indian Nursing council and State level Registration Council are closely connected with promotion and the upliftment of the nursing profession.
