Unit VIII Scholarly Activity: Trace The Evolution Of Your Or
Unit Viii Scholarly Activitytrace The Evolution Of Your Or Another Ch
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 exemplifies the profound impact of technological, economic, and societal transformations across different historical eras. Tracing this evolution from the late 19th century to the present reveals how necessity-driven innovations, alongside major historical events such as wars, reforms, and economic shifts, have shaped nursing into a vital and dynamic component of the healthcare system.
In the 1860s, during the American Civil War, nursing was predominantly a volunteer service. Florence Nightingale's principles, though established in Britain, profoundly influenced American nursing practices by emphasizing sanitation and patient care. The war highlighted the necessity for organized nursing services, leading to increased awareness and the beginning of formalized nursing education (Schultz & Arnold, 2017). The establishment of training schools, such as the Bellevue Hospital Training School for Nurses in New York in 1873, marked the dawn of professional nursing in America, driven by technological advances in sanitation and medical understanding.
The early 20th century experienced significant technological advancements, including the discovery of X-rays and improvements in anesthesia, which transformed medical diagnostics and surgical procedures. These innovations demanded a more skilled nursing workforce capable of operating new equipment and understanding complex treatments. The world wars further accelerated this evolution; nurses played critical roles in wartime hospitals, fostering advancements in emergency care and trauma management. The development of the Army Nurse Corps and the Navy Nurse Corps institutionalized nursing's role within military structures, demonstrating how wartime necessity pushed the profession towards specialization and increased professionalism (Davis, 2018).
Post-World War II America witnessed a surge in technological innovation, including the advent of antibiotics, intravenous therapy, and later, computer technology in healthcare. These developments expanded the scope of nursing practice, necessitating ongoing education and specialization. The 1960s and 1970s further catalyzed change with the Civil Rights Movement and the push for gender equality, opening more opportunities for minority and female nurses and emphasizing personalized patient care models. The introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965 significantly altered healthcare delivery, creating a demand for more nurses and impacting nurse staffing, demands echoed in policy reforms (Bauer & McLaughlin, 2019).
The modern era is characterized by digital technology, telehealth, and an emphasis on holistic, patient-centered care. The integration of electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine exemplifies how necessity in managing complex health data and expanding access in remote areas drives technological innovation. Furthermore, recent global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have underscored the critical importance of adaptable, technologically savvy nurses, and have led to rapid innovations in remote monitoring, virtual care, and safety protocols (Kellogg et al., 2021).
In conclusion, the evolution of the nursing profession illustrates a continuous response to societal needs, technological advances, and historical events. From battlefield nursing in the Civil War to digital health technologies of today, necessity and societal change have been persistent catalysts in shaping a resilient, innovative, and essential healthcare profession.
References
Bauer, J., & McLaughlin, D. (2019). Nursing in the United States: Historical and contemporary perspectives. Journal of Nursing History, 45(3), 123-135.
Davis, L. (2018). The role of military nurses in world wars and beyond. Military Medicine Review, 45(2), 89-102.
Kellogg, M., et al. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on nursing practice and technological innovation. Journal of Healthcare Innovation, 12(4), 210-218.
Schultz, K., & Arnold, C. (2017). Florence Nightingale and the legacy of modern nursing. Nursing History Review, 25, 37-52.