Synnove Wasli

Abstract

This was a historical study of past ideas, beliefs, and practices in the nursing care of the normal newborn infant in the hospital nursery. The study covered the years 1930 to 1965 and was divided into four cross sections, namely, 1930 to 1935, 1940 to 1945, 1950 to 1955, and 1960 to 1965.

The primary sources used in this study consisted of one hundred infant medical records which were made available by a 382-bed, private, general hospital located in a Los Angeles suburb. One procedure manual used in this hospital during the years 1944-1955 qualified as a primary source. Personal interviews were conducted with registered nurses, some of whom were former students of nursing in the same hospital.

Secondary sources were obtained from medical, nursing, and hospital literature, and a few from popular magazines. School of nursing bulletins from the general hospital were also used.

External and internal criticism as well as the technique of content analysis was used to analyze and organize the collected material.

To accomplish the purposes of this study certain points were considered: (1) the political, economic, and social conditions in the United States, (2) the changes and developments in the field of medicine and nursing, (3) the presence or absence of publications on standards and recommendations for nursing care of the newborn in the hospital nursery, (4) the authorities behind such publications, (5) the standards and practices in the education and preparation of the nursing person, and (6) the what, how, and why of nursing care.

The depression period of 1930-1935 was followed by prosperity although war unrest began with the outbreak of World War II, 1940-1945. The period of 1950-1955 included the so-called Cold War and the Korean conflict. The Vietnam War was included in the period 1960-1965.

Stimulated by the White House Conferences, the Federal and State governments became more involved in providing effective care for mothers and infants. Scientific research provided new remedies in the prevention and treatment of disease. There was an oversupply of nurses before 1940 which changed to an acute shortage later. In the early 1940's the pediatrician rather than the obstetrician began to supervise the medical care of infants in hospital nursery.

The first publication specifically concerned with the nursing care of newborn infants in the hospital nursery appeared in 1943 and was published by the Children's Bureau. Other publications followed which were often the result of the joint efforts of pediatricians, obstetricians, other medical specialists and nurses.

Registered nurses were largely educated in hospital controlled schools of nursing. Auxiliary nursing personnel received on-the-job training. The school of nursing conducted by the selected hospital was closed a year after the study was completed. The hospital was to serve as a clinical facility for a collegiate program leading to the associate arts degree in nursing.

The literature reviewed gave directions and recommendations in how and what to do for the newborn infant but failed to give reasons for recommending the type of care. This was especially true during the first three time periods.

Throughout the study the nursery nurse gave both direct and indirect care to the normal newborn infant. In the early period, 1930-1935, the preparation of formulas as well as all housekeeping duties were the responsibility of the nurse. In some hospitals during the later years this responsibility was delegated to auxiliary personnel.

Direct care of the newborn infant included initial and daily observation and care of skin, eyes, umbilical cord, special care of circumcised infants, feeding the baby whether it be breast or bottle, breast care of the mother, provision for clothing and keeping the baby warm, problems of infection and measures for prevention and treatment, and discharging the baby. The nurse also charted the observations and the care given.

Throughout the study it appears that identification of the baby and eye prophylaxis were done in the delivery room. Close observation of the baby upon admission to the nursery and during his hospital stay was stressed repeatedly during the years. In 1930-1935, the emphasis was placed on the physical needs of the infant and on the prevention of infections. Regularity of feeding schedules was adhered to. Beginning in 1940-1945, the literature reviewed carried recommendations for more flexibility in nursery routine in order to meet the emotional needs of the newborn.

During 1960-1965, recommendations made for meeting the physical needs and preventing infection seemed at times to be in conflict with the recommendations made for meeting the emotional needs of the newborn infant.

LLU Discipline

Nursing

Department

Nursing

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Betty T. Lonnstrom

Second Advisor

R. Maureen Maxwell

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1969

Date (Title Page)

6-1969

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Infant, Newborn; Nursing Care -- in infancy & childhood

Type

Thesis

Page Count

ix; 202

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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