Presenter Classification
Faculty
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Publication Date
4-22-2026
Start Date
22-4-2026 11:05 AM
End Date
22-4-2026 11:25 AM
Keywords
nursing history, nurse's role
Abstract Type
Research
Abstract
Purpose: Historically, nurses have been at the bedside simply following the direction of physicians, but much has changed since then.
Aims: The purpose of this study is to examine how the roles of nurses have changed over the decades, from pre-professional caregiving to advanced practice. This study focuses on the birth of nursing as a profession, the direct experiences of nurses from different generations, the shift in physician-directed care to collaborative care, how nurses interpret the impact of major healthcare transformations on their role, and the emergence and development of the nurse practitioner role.
Methods: The study was conducted using a historical approach. Articles were identified through the review of databases including PubMed, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar. Documents were reviewed and themes were identified. An overarching theme and timeline were developed.
Results: It was found that nursing roles have drastically changed throughout the decades, granting nurses more responsibility, autonomy, and a larger scope of practice. Before Florence Nightingale, nursing was unregulated and informal, with Nightingale fighting for institutional training and emphasizing observation. Shifting from physician-directed care to collaborative care has expanded assessment and critical thinking.
Conclusion: Nursing will continue to change and adapt to the needs of society. Understanding the history of nursing is vital for shaping the future.
A Historical study of the Nursing role
Purpose: Historically, nurses have been at the bedside simply following the direction of physicians, but much has changed since then.
Aims: The purpose of this study is to examine how the roles of nurses have changed over the decades, from pre-professional caregiving to advanced practice. This study focuses on the birth of nursing as a profession, the direct experiences of nurses from different generations, the shift in physician-directed care to collaborative care, how nurses interpret the impact of major healthcare transformations on their role, and the emergence and development of the nurse practitioner role.
Methods: The study was conducted using a historical approach. Articles were identified through the review of databases including PubMed, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar. Documents were reviewed and themes were identified. An overarching theme and timeline were developed.
Results: It was found that nursing roles have drastically changed throughout the decades, granting nurses more responsibility, autonomy, and a larger scope of practice. Before Florence Nightingale, nursing was unregulated and informal, with Nightingale fighting for institutional training and emphasizing observation. Shifting from physician-directed care to collaborative care has expanded assessment and critical thinking.
Conclusion: Nursing will continue to change and adapt to the needs of society. Understanding the history of nursing is vital for shaping the future.
