What was the first organized school of nursing?

The Kaiserwerth Deaconess Institute, established in 1836 in Germany, is recognized as the first organized school of nursing. Founded by Theodor Fliedner, this institute played a crucial role in advancing nursing education and practice. It effectively combined Christian service with formal training, providing a model for nursing schools that followed. The emphasis at Kaiserwerth on practical skills and the holistic care of patients set a precedent for how nursing education would evolve globally.

The subsequent choices, while historically significant in their own right, emerged after the establishment of the Kaiserwerth Deaconess Institute. The Florence Nightingale School, for example, founded in 1860, was directly influenced by the principles and organizational structures seen at Kaiserwerth. Similarly, the Saint Thomas' Hospital School of Nursing, initiated in 1860, also drew inspiration from Nightingale's model. The Royal College of Nursing, founded much later in 1916, serves as a professional body rather than a training institution, emphasizing leadership and professional development in nursing. Thus, the Kaiserwerth Deaconess Institute laid the groundwork for contemporary nursing education.