Foreign Nurse Missionaries Starting Yonsei Nursing School

Purpose: Nursing in Korea was started by foreign nurse missionaries. This study was intended to recognize the foreign nurse missionaries contribution with the development of Yonsei nursing education in Korea. Method: This study used an historical study approach. The study target was foreign nurse missionary contributions during 1895~1917. The data was collected from the existing historical nursing studies and Korean Mission Field. Result: Since A.P. Jacobson, the first nurse missionary from the North Mission branch in America in 1895, there were 16 missionaries sent to Korea. Among them, 14 missionaries worked for Severance Hospital Nurse Training School. 7 missionaries served less than 10 years and 5 missionaries stayed in Korea more than 20 years. E.L. Shields served the longest time with 42 years in Korea. They contributed not only in nursing education and services in the hospital, but also public health in the community. Conclusion: Foreign nurse missionaries were a cornerstone for nursing development in Korea. They contributed by not only starting nursing education, but also giving women freedom into Korean society. The historical research regarding foreign nurse missionaries during early 1900s helped to recognize their effort for Korean nursing and society.ope