The objective of this study was to understand the meaning of the development of modern nursing in Korea by analyzing the historical background of modern nursing from the beginning and the progression of education in nursing, systemization of nursing and nursing services throughout the Japanese colonial period.
The information and materials were taken from official missionary reports, missionary
journals, the official gazette of the Choson government, newspapers and other relevant papers. Through this study which used historical methodology and analysis, the following
conclusions are presented ;
After the opening of Korea to western influence in 1876, the need for modern nursing was realized within purposes of operating westernized hospitals. For this purpose nursing education was begun in 1903 at ´Poku-nyokwan´ and this signifies the first instance of professional education for women.
The first laws for nurses were established in 1914 and guaranteed a high level of nursing. Although there were several revisions throughout the Japanese colonial period, these laws set up nursing related systems and form the basis for nursing related laws today.
In nursing services, not only hospital services but also district nursing focusing on public sanitation and health education for women and children was expanded by missionary institutions. This shows the early development of preventive practices in nursing.
The organization of the "Nurses´ Association of Korea" had meaning in that it was an independent dffort designed to enhance professionalism in nursing.
The level of nursing education and nursing services in Korea deteriorated due to Japanese colonial policy and the existence of war in the late 1930´ s.
Introduction of modern nursing through missionary work and Japanese colonial policy
helped the growth of nursing in Korea. But the development of professionalism with independence and the power of uniqueness were hampered as nursing was firmly fixed as women´ s work and because of the priority put on hospital services during the Japanese colonial period.
It is hoped that this study will help to identify the uniqueness of nursing in Korea and promote the development of a wholistic concept of nursing in Korea.
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