CNA Week – June 11, 2026

History of CNA Week

Nursing has existed throughout history, but it has evolved considerably in recent years. The term ‘nurse’ derives from the Latin word ‘nurtire,’ which means ‘to suckle.’ Nursing was originally referred to as ‘a wet nurse,’ but by the late 16th century, it had evolved to mean ‘a person who cares for the sick.’ The first known documents mentioning nursing as a profession were found to be written in approximately 300 A.D. The Roman Empire attempted to build a hospital in each town, increasing the demand for nurses.

Nursing became more popular in Europe during the Middle Ages because the Catholic Church pushed for medical care. The innovations of the time altered the foundation of modern nursing. Because of changes in European rule between the 10th and 11th centuries, the nursing profession expanded. Hospitals were integrated into monasteries and other religious institutions, and nurses provided patients with a variety of medical care services.

With the closure of monasteries in the 17th century, nursing as a profession fell out of favor. This was revived in the 19th century after Florence Nightingale emphasized nursing as an ideal profession for females. After she, and a group of nurses, reduced the mortality rate during the British-Crimean war, Nightingale single-handedly changed the nursing profession.