The evolution of nursing profession has led nurses to work in hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics, as opposed to private homes. As one of the oldest professions, nursing has experienced and influenced a variety of developments. Not only did the most notable improve the profession, but also patient outcomes and the overall condition of health care. Continue reading to learn how nursing has evolved and why graduate nursing programs, such as online FNP programs are crucial for further advancement.

Evolution of Nursing Practice

Midway through the 19th century, nursing became a profession. Florence Nightingale, a well-educated British woman, is credited by historians as the founder of modern nursing. By becoming a nurse, Nightingale violated both social standards and her rich parents.

The public at the time opposed the concept of women breastfeeding strangers. However, Nightingale viewed nursing as an exceptional opportunity for women. She hoped they would be able to use their education and scientific expertise to improve patient care while obtaining freedom.

During the Crimean War in 1854, the British government requested Nightingale’s assistance in a Turkish military hospital. Within weeks of her little team’s arrival, the British troop fatality rate dropped substantially. Nightingale’s achievements convinced the Western world of the dignity and importance of educated nurses.

Florence Nightingale established modern nursing by challenging social norms and defending the significance of educated nurses.

The evolution of nursing profession accelerated during the American Civil War a decade later. As war broke out in the North and South, women, primarily mistresses, and wives of soldiers began to follow the troops. They primarily cared for sick soldiers. The most prevalent diseases included pneumonia, typhoid, diarrhea/dysentery, and malaria.

Mary Ann Bickerdyke was a renowned volunteer in nursing. Despite not being married to a soldier, she followed Union General William T. Sherman’s troops. After the Tennessee Battle of Lookout Mountain in 1863, Bickerdyke nursed over 2,000 soldiers by herself.

Throughout the Civil War, soldiers were decimated by disease. To care for the tens of thousands of victims, the North and South created makeshift hospitals. There, women who served the South, such as Captain Sally Tompkins and Phoebe Levy Pember, supervised small teams of nurses who administered care.

Collectively, the volunteer nurses, who were frequently female slaves, saved a significant number of lives. As a result, Americans’ regard for nursing increased significantly. With newly discovered public backing and undeniable contributions to health care, the nursing profession would grow rapidly.

Women who volunteered to care for wounded soldiers during the American Civil War had a profound impact on the popular understanding of nursing.

How Has Nursing Changed Over the Years?

Training

Formalized education is a significant change in the evolution of nursing profession. In late 19th century hospitals, the first training programs were established. In exchange for clinical training, student nurses provided care for patients. During this training period, nurses aided hospitals in vastly improving safety and quality and humanized medical care.

In the second part of the 20th century, patient requirements became increasingly complex, necessitating experienced nurses in hospitals. Thus, the hospital-based education model faded in favor of college and university training programs.

By 1960, there were over 170 college nursing programs across the US. In 1950, Texas Woman’s University launched the state’s first nationally-accredited nursing program, making it one of the state’s oldest. Today, 871 schools in the United States provide undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate nursing education programs.

The emphasis on comprehensive education has never been higher than it is now, as the training of nurses continues to adapt to patient demands. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a recommendation in 2010. By 2020, a minimum of 80% of registered nurses must acquire a bachelor’s degree to address increasingly complex patient circumstances. IOM also recommended tripling the number of nurses with doctoral degrees.

Similarly, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) stipulates that all registered nurses must possess a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in nursing. In response to these requests, colleges and universities have increased the number of four-year nursing programs. Since 2010, enrollment in registered nurse-to-bachelor’s degree programs has increased by 80 percent.

Additionally, there is a higher emphasis on academic advancement. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is encouraging nurses to continue their education beyond the entry level and enroll in graduate and postgraduate programs. Thus, nurses can meet the nation’s demand for registered nurses with advanced practice skills. Read also the evolution of nursing education.

Responsibilities

A further feature of the evolution of nursing profession is that nurses today have a vast array of responsibilities. Nursing is no longer exclusively regarded as caregiving. Modern nursing, according to the International Council of Nurses, is a combination of knowledge, judgment, and skill.

The current method of education and training has resulted in an expansion of nurse responsibility. Over three million registered nurses are qualified to provide patient care, advocate for patients, lead healthcare teams, and conduct research to improve care.

Particularly, nurse practitioners can provide many of the same services as physicians. This sort of advanced practice registered nursing was established in 1965, following the passage of Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation provided access to health care services for those with low incomes and those over the age of 65.

Suddenly, more Americans sought medical treatment. To meet the need, several nurses collaborated with physicians to obtain additional training. The expansion of the nursing profession enabled nurse practitioners to assist physicians in diagnosing and treating common ailments. Read also the historical evolution of nursing research.

Now, nurse practitioners are among the most sought-after healthcare professions.

Specialization

As a result of medical breakthroughs and changing patient needs, nurses can now specialize in a variety of fields. Dermatology, emergency care, and rehabilitation are only a handful of the available alternatives. However, several of the most sought-after specialties lie under advanced practice registered nursing.

Advanced practice registered nurses have a master’s degree or above and work as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or clinical nurse specialists. By the year 2028, the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 26% rise in employment for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives. This is over six times the national average for all vocations.

Because the United States lacks primary care services, the employment future for nurse practitioners is extremely bright. A lack of primary care professionals has resulted from a physician shortage and an increase in the number of elderly people. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) feels that nurse practitioners are in the best position to alleviate this shortfall. Independently and in partnership with other healthcare providers, nurse practitioners are qualified to deliver primary care services.

Nurse practitioners can specialize in a vast array of fields. The family nurse practitioner (FNP), who treats patients of all ages, has the broadest scope of practice. They concentrate on health promotion, disease prevention, and the treatment of primary care-eligible conditions. Almost 67% of nurse practitioners at the national level are trained family nurse practitioners. See also the evolution of nursing informatics.

FNPs comprise about 67 percent of nurse practitioners nationwide.

Safety and Quality

Nurses have traditionally played a crucial part in the treatment of patients. Today, though, its function is even more evident. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Family Services, nurses spend more time with patients than physicians. Additionally, they communicate often with every member of the patient’s healthcare team. In addition to essential clinical tasks, these criteria enable nurses to ensure that healthcare teams provide high-quality care.

Extensive evidence links great nursing to favorable patient outcomes, particularly among nurse practitioners. AANP research indicates that nurse practitioners provide safe, effective, and patient-centered care. In addition, compared to patients of physicians, nurse practitioner patients express greater satisfaction, have fewer avoidable hospital readmissions, and are hospitalized less frequently.

These AANP findings are positive for the U.S. healthcare system, which rates worse than other industrialized nations in terms of quality, access, efficiency, equity, and healthy lives. Numerous organizations now recognize the significance of nurse practitioners and are urging politicians to permit them to work as freely and independently as their education and training permit. Read also the evolution of evidence-based practice in nursing.

Nurse practitioners demonstrate safe, effective, and patient-centered care of the highest quality.

What’s Next for Nurses?

The only constant in the evolution of nursing profession in community health is change. Nurses are now able to accept increasing responsibilities in many areas of health care due to their extensive training. Even as their responsibilities grow, nurses continue to offer excellent care.

According to the IOM, today’s nurses are capable of implementing significant improvements in the U.S. healthcare system. However, a dedication to lifelong learning is a requirement.

The future of nursing depends in part on the intellectual advancement and dedication of nurses. Consider pursuing a master’s degree if you hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing and are a registered nurse. IOM-considered important areas, including leadership, research, and teamwork, that can be mastered with the support of graduate-level education.

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