Alligood: A Very Brief History Of Nursing

The evolution of Nursing has occurred over the course of many eras. In the Mid 1800s, Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of nursing education, realized that nursing knowledge was a “unique focus…distinct from medical knowledge.” (Alligood, n.d., p. 3) However, it was not until the 1950’s that the profession as a whole realized the need for theory development. The apprenticeship model of vocational training was challenged at that time, and Nursing emerged as a Science.
The curriculum era encompassed a time in which curriculum became standardized across the country. Diploma programs were offered at many hospitals, but nursing also became an area of study at higher levels of education. Late in the twentieth century, the focus of nursing science became educational, and diploma programs began to dissolve.
Following the
curriculum area, nurses began to seek graduate degrees, participate in research, and incorporate research knowledge into curriculum. This became known as the research emphasis era. The greatest achievement of this era was the development of conceptual connections and theoretical frameworks, as well as standardization of curricula for graduate programs.
The graduate education era allowed for specialization, creating nursing models and the development of difficult concepts.
It was then that the bachelor’s degree became accepted as the “first educational level for professional nursing.” (Alligood, n.d., p. 4) With that came the realization that “nursing practice is to be based on nursing science” (Alligood, n.d., p. 4) which propelled the occupation into the next era of knowledge.
In the 1970’s, doctoral programs expanded nationally. This growth from the graduate education era became known as the theory era. As the understanding of research and theory grew, professional nurses realized that “research and theory together were required to produce nursing science.” (Alligood, n.d., p. 4) This realization became known as the double helix theory, allowing for the next era; the theory era.
Following the 1978 Nurse Educator Conference in New York, a universal acceptance and understanding of “four global nursing concepts” materialized. These “paradigms within a paradigm”, introduced by Fawcett, specified “discipline boundaries of person, environment, health, and nursing.” (Alligood, n.d., p.
7)
With the realization of theory based nursing practice (Alligood, n.d., p. 8), the twenty first century and the theory utilization era simultaneously occurred. Increased utilization of nursing knowledge, education, and theory development ensure evidence and inquiry continue to guide practice, ensuring quality, holistic care. (Doane & Varcoe, 2008, p. 291)