Kazan medical nurses community structure and activities at the end of XIX century

Abstract

The Kazan branch of the Red Cross medical nurses was established in 1886. Its’ purpose was to professionally train women for further care for wounded soldiers at wartime, and for civil population care in hospitals at peace-time. The Kazan branch of medical nurses had started with a six students living in a shared flat. It was reported to the local Red Cross branch and was funded by it. All theoretical and practical classes were held according to the studying plan approved by the Russian National Federation of Red Cross on February 19th, 1882. After graduation all nurses were obliged to work as a nurse for at least two years, and to arrive to the Red Cross branch in case of war to be sent for military service. Nurses could also care for patients in private houses for a pay. Nurses were patient and zealous caring for ill and wounded, which wasn’t an easy job, indicating a true love and willingness for care among medical nurses. A selfless activity of medical nurses during a wartime, starvation and epidemics improved the image of a medical nurse and attracted community’s attention. During the plague and cholera epidemics in 1889-1892 15 nurses of the Kazan branch of the Red Cross were granted the medal for diligence. By the beginning of the XX century a skilled service of nursing care has been formed in the Kazan Province, becoming a prototype of modern nursery practice.