Throughout history, there have been many pioneers who have paved the way for the profession of nursing. One woman who influenced the scope of nursing significantly is Clara Barton. Her contributions to the nursing profession have led to a long-lasting legacy still present today. The purpose of this paper is to provide a rationale for selecting Clara Barton, explain the historical background that led to her legacy, discuss the effects and impacts she had on the nursing profession and lastly, provide a prediction of the future needs of nursing based on Clara Barton and her efforts.
Rationale
Clara Barton’s legacy has left a prodigious influence in today’s day and age. During Barton’s early years she dedicated herself to lending a helping hand. Barton’s care and willpower to help those around her are what led her to create a legacy that helped and paved the way for nursing today. Barton’s humanitarian characteristics steered her in the direction to form a powerful organization still present today.
Historical Background
Clara Barton originally known as Clarissa Harlowe Barton. Barton was born on Christmas day in 1821. From a very early age, Barton’s desire to help others was persuaded by the care she provided for her little brother, David. David suffered incapacitating injuries due to a fall. At the age of 18, Clara became a teacher for a public school in Bordentown, N.J., but then moved to Washington D.C, and began working as an office clerk. During this time, Clara was exposed to the horrors of the civil war. As casualties from the war flooded into Washington D.C, Clara became aware that the “U.S war department was unprepared to provide care, food and shelter for the sick and wounded” (Strickler, 2018 p. 44). Formally, Barton was not a trained nurse but she assisted in any way she could and provided care for soldiers on the battlefield. Barton’s courage led her to serve at the battle of Cedar Mountain and Battle of Antietam with a group of nurses. Barton’s care for the soldiers made her known as the “angle of the battlefield” (Schmidt, 2004 p.36). In 1870, Barton came across the International Red Cross of England where she rooted the idea of an American Red Cross (ARC). In order, for the American Red Cross organization to be recognized Barton needed Congress to sign off the agreements that allowed nurses and physicians to interchange freely in both hostile and friendly territory in order to care for the injured (Strickler, 2018). Ultimately, in 1882 President Arthur at the time signed off the agreements and American Red Cross was funded; the beginning of a lasting legacy.
Effects on the Nursing Profession Today
For 23 years, Barton led the American Red Cross and dedicated herself to provide care for those in need. The American Red Cross today, provides services to families all around the world and offers disaster relief programs in the United States of America as well as globally. During the ARC’s early years its foundation primarily focused on providing aid for soldiers but as years progressed it expanded its services not only to soldiers but any individual in need around the world. ARC offers disaster relief programs, lifesaving blood donations, training and certification, help for military families and international services (American Red Cross, 2018) According to the ARC organization, it relies on more than 20,000 professional nurses who support and assist in different ways to help bring their work to life (American Red Cross, 2018). Nurses of the ARC lend a helping hand by providing “relief to disaster victims, work in military hospitals, and collect lifesaving blood. They develop and teach courses ranging from CPR/first aid to disaster preparedness. And they serve in management, supervisory, and governing roles throughout [their] organization” (American Red Cross, 2018, para.1). This affects the nursing profession today by creating new employment opportunities for nurses who want to help those in need, whether it is by caring for those donating blood or providing help to those who have lost it all due to a natural disaster.
Prediction of Future Needs
In the healthcare field, the future can be undetermined. It is unknown when a natural disaster may strike, or an epidemic may spread. Thankfully, Clara Barton created a foundation currently around that is able to assist when the unknown occurs. Fortunately, the ARC services provide a plan of care for any situation that can occur. ARC benefits the nursing profession significantly due to its demand for nurses on staff and creates a positive outlook for the profession of nursing and its future. Nurses are able to provide training and instruction in caring for individuals, offer assistance in disaster relief, teach courses in home nursing and nutrition and assist in the demand for the blood program (American Red Cross, 2018). Nurses will always be a vital and prevalent factor of the American Red Cross.
Conclusion
In essence, Clara Barton is an eminent nursing leader who founded an organization that has assisted and will continue to deliver services for many years to come. Barton’s contribution to the nursing profession has greatly shaped the meaning of a nurse. Barton demonstrated compassion, care, and determination amongst other great qualities. Nurses today, are encouraged to carry similar qualities. The ARC although a very important resource was one of many accomplishments for Clara Barton. Barton became an educator and searched for missing soldiers before creating the ARC. Through her efforts approximately over 20,000 men were discovered. Barton was also very involved in many organizations and was considered a modern-day feminist. In April 1912, Barton died inside her home in Maryland but her legacy will live on forever.