[Social security nursing in Costa RICA].

This article reviews the development of social security in Costa Rica throughout the various stages of its growth starting in 1941, with special reference to the scope of the health and maternity insurance system and to disability, old-age, and life insurance. After describing the institutional setting of the social security system, the authors analyze the changes that have taken place in the training and performance of duties of nursing staff in the health services, all of which are now part of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund. Lastly, they present the two-year curriculum for training the graduate nurse, and refer to the practice of nursing in the social security system and to the duties performed by the nurse in health education, the actual care of the well and the sick, administration, and research.