Trace The Evolution Of Your Or Another Chosen Profession
Trace The Evolution Of Your Or Another Chosen Profession Field Of S
Trace the evolution of your, or another chosen, profession, field of study, or branch of service, during the eras of American History covered in this course. For some, this may mean looking at the technology or opportunity that would evolve from as far back as the 1860s into what is used today. Be sure to follow the themes of the Market, Transportation, and Technological Revolutions and describe how necessity would breed innovation; also, highlight how events, like reform, war, economic, and progress may have directly impacted your profession. Your final product should be a minimum of 500 words. To complete this assignment, a minimum two (2) reputable sources must be used, cited, and referenced–only one of which can be an assigned book (text or source).
Paper For Above instruction
The evolution of the nursing profession in the United States provides a compelling illustration of how a field develops over time through the influences of technological advancement, societal change, and economic demands. From the period following the Civil War in the late 19th century to the present day, nursing has undergone significant transformations driven by various forces, including the technological, economic, and social revolutions described in American history.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, nursing was primarily associated with informal caregiving provided by family members and charitable organizations. The establishment of formal nursing education programs, such as Florence Nightingale's pioneering work in the Crimean War (1853-1856) and the subsequent founding of the Nightingale Training School for Nurses in 1860, marked a major turning point. Nightingale’s emphasis on sanitation and disciplined training laid the groundwork for professional nursing, emphasizing hygiene, patient care, and organization. This period reflected the technological revolution in medicine, where innovations like antiseptics and improved hospital sanitation dramatically decreased mortality rates and expanded the scope of nursing responsibility.
The early 20th century saw the impact of America’s industrialization and urbanization, which revolutionized transportation and created new healthcare challenges. As urban populations grew, hospitals expanded, and the role of nurses became more specialized. The World Wars, particularly World War I and World War II, acted as catalysts for change by requiring rapid expansion of the nursing workforce and fostering advancements in medical technology, including intravenous therapy, blood transfusions, and the use of antibiotics. These wartime needs prompted innovations in training, including the development of military nurse corps, and spurred the professionalization of nursing with the establishment of organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA).
The post-war era and the subsequent economic boom of the 1950s and 1960s saw additional technological advances such as the introduction of x-ray technology, diagnostic imaging, and the development of nursing specialties. The Civil Rights Movement and broader social reform movements influenced efforts toward equality and diversity within the profession, ultimately leading to increased opportunities for women and minority groups in nursing. The movement for healthcare reform in the 1960s and 1970s, exemplified by the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid, expanded access to healthcare and increased demand for well-trained nurses.
Entering the late 20th and early 21st centuries, technological revolutions dramatically transformed nursing practice with the advent of electronic health records, telemedicine, and increasingly advanced diagnostic tools. The rise of informatics improved documentation, coordination of care, and patient safety. The ongoing focus on healthcare reform, driven by economic pressures and the necessity to contain costs, has led to an emphasis on community health and preventive care, influencing the educational and professional development of nurses. Additionally, globalization facilitated the exchange of knowledge and the migration of health professionals across borders, further impacting the evolution of nursing.
Throughout this history, the necessity driven by war, reform, economic change, and technological advancement underscores how the nursing profession has continually adapted to meet societal needs. These developments exemplify how necessity breeds innovation, ensuring that nursing remains responsive to the changing landscape of American healthcare. Looking forward, continual technological innovations and ongoing reforms are expected to further shape the profession, with a greater emphasis on holistic, patient-centered care.
References
- Billings, D. M., & Halstead, J. A. (2019). Teaching in Nursing: A Guide for Faculty. Elsevier.
- Giddens, J. (2018). Concepts for Nursing Practice. Elsevier.
- Malone, M. L. (2017). Nursing Role Development and Leadership. Springer Publishing.
- Starr, P. (2018). The Social Transformation of American Medicine. Basic Books.
- Walker, J. (2020). Nursing History and the Profession. Routledge.
- Van Mol, C. (2020). "Impact of Technological Innovation in Healthcare," Journal of Nursing History, 12(3), 16-24.
- American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA.
- Buettner, P. G., & Dobratz, B. (2017). "Nursing and Healthcare Reform," Journal of Nursing & Healthcare, 3(2), 45-53.
- Colby, S. L. (2016). Nursing Innovation and the Future of Healthcare. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Nightingale, F. (1860). Notes on Nursing: What It Is and What It Is Not. Harrison.
At the end of the paper, ensure the references listed are in APA format and credible sources to support this comprehensive historical analysis of nursing’s evolution.