The one area of change in nursing during the early 20th century that intrigues me is nursing research. The changes in nursing education took nursing from a profession where nurses were trained in technical skills to one where a nurse could use the knowledge she learned to think and improve patient care. “Preparation in an academic setting encouraged the student to view nursing differently and eventually supported examination of the way students were prepared and how that preparation impacted the care they provided” (Judd & Sitzman, 2014). I think it is so important for nurses to be engaged in research in order to use the best evidence to enhance and improve our care. Nursing research has come a long way. What started out as a way to improve nursing education in general and to increase uniformity in the profession has a much larger role today. Nurses today our initiating studies in order to make sure we use evidence based practices. Nurses today are empowered to make changes and are taught how to do the research required. “As a human caring profession and a scientific discipline, nursing must engage in, report, and apply research” (Pickler, 2018). It is important for future nurses to continue to research and improve the quality of care we deliver. It is great to see nurses seeking higher education to keep the profession on par with other professions and to have our colleagues in other departments treat us with respect. Nurses are no longer the doctor’s hand-maiden. We are equal colleagues in providing care to our patients. We are important patient advocates. Our education allows us to be seen as such.

Judd, D., & Sitzman, K. (2014). A history of American nursing: Trends and eras (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

Pickler, R. H. (2018). Honoring the Past, Pursuing the Future. Nursing Research, 67(1), 1-2. doi:10.1097/nnr.0000000000000255