Historical time period Nursing role in community Major health issues Partnerships used Watson’s theory
Past period 1 Colonial period in America: The colonists recognized public health problems quite early in North America. They established temporary boards of health were established in response to epidemic diseases. In the early years of America’s settlement, the female head of the household took care of all household members, in their sickness and childbirth as well as wellness. She was also responsible for growing or gathering healing herbs for use throughout the year. Smallpox, yellow fever, cholera, typhoid, and typhus were major health issues during this time. Tuberculosis and malaria are communicable diseases that stayed endemic during this period. American ideas of social welfare and the care of the sick were strongly influenced by the traditions of British settlers in the New World. Colonial Americans followed the English model of the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601and established systems of care for the poor, sick, mentally ill, and aged. Early colonial public health efforts included improved sanitation, collection of vital statistics, and control of any communicable diseases introduced through seaports (Lancaster & Stanhope, 2008). A nurse is able to identify other person’s condition of being (Watson, 1985). The theory relates to this period because it was essential for the female head of the household to recognize an illness. In a way, these women were diagnosing and treating their sick family members.

Past period 2 19th century in America: The United States expanded and as the number o cities increased the poor crowded in substandard housing with unsanitary conditions. Some larger cities like New York established city health departments. Public health nurses were the primary staff members of local health departments. These nurses took a leadership