The practice of nursing goes far back in time. At first, the theoretical and practical knowledge was based on the trial and error principle, so the practice was conducted intuitively. Later generations realized the importance of recording certain conditions and medicinal properties of natural substances. Historical writings have served many cultures in care and healing sick. Nursing as a profession throughout history has followed the development of social trends and in the beginning, the sick were cared for mainly by men (shamans and magicians). Gradually, after numerous unsuccessful attempts at enchantment, care for the sick was taken over by their family, mostly women. Over the years, special care facilities started opening. The first nurses were women from religious families which have begun educating the younger generations in the field of care for the sick and needy. After the dark ages, in which the sick were cared for by ignorant individuals, era of development of modern nursing is beginning and it is characterized by targeted education and schooling nurses. Nowadays, the education of nurses is experiencing the greatest changes, starting from the introduction of five-year high school education to education at higher universities and the entry of nurses into teachingscientific fields. Therefore, historically showing ways of nurse education, but also the beginnings of nursing practice in the Republic of Croatia, numerous changes in the notion of nursing as important health and educational activities are observed. In doing so, special emphasis is placed on the modern education curriculum which are increasingly encouraging nurses for further education that is, enrollment undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies.