Nursing in China: Historical development, current issues and future challenges

Chinese health treatment was traditionally provided by medical personnel and the profession of nursing did not really exist. Modern nursing evolved following the arrival of Western missionaries in the late 19th century. Throughout the 20th century, nursing development was significantly influenced by the political climate, particularly during the Cultural Revolution of 1966- 1976, when most nursing schools were closed. There are now over 1.2 million Chinese nurses, with around 98.6 nurses per 100,000 population. Education and training is heavily influenced by the medical model, with the majority of Chinese nurses educated in secondary programs of 2 to 4 years duration. An important aspect of nursing practice is reflected in the Chinese cultural understanding of health. For Chinese people, illness occurs when there is disharmony between the patient and their environment. As such, a large component of traditional Chinese medicine focuses on restoring this overall balance, rather than simply treating the symptoms. Future issues for Chinese nursing include upgrading all nurse education programs to a bachelor degree level, expanding the scientific research base and increasing the international focus. Key words China, nurse, development, education, histor