Ellen Dougherty: The World’s First Registered Nurse

There are moments in healthcare history that quietly change everything. This is one of them. In 1901, Ellen Dougherty became the first registered nurse in New Zealand and is widely recognised as the first registered nurse in the world. Her registration number was simple. Number One. Today, registration is something many healthcare professionals understandably take for granted. At the turn of the twentieth century, registration represented professional standards, accountability, recognition and trust. Ellen dedicated her life to improving healthcare and advancing nursing during a period when the profession was still fighting to be recognised as skilled and respected work. The systems, standards and professional recognition nurses have today exist because pioneers like Ellen helped build them. Every nurse who receives a registration number is part of a legacy that stretches back to people like her. Thank you, Ellen Dougherty, for your service and for helping shape modern nursing. Do you remember receiving your own registration number? Share your memories in the comments. Carejobz specialises in permanent perioperative recruitment across Australia and New Zealand. #NursingHistory #NursesOfLinkedIn #NewZealandNursing #HealthcareHeroes #PerioperativeNursing