The Rise of Nursing as an Academic Discipline in the US: A Post-WWII Analysis

Nurses are the backbone of the US healthcare system, making up the largest segment of the workforce and spending the most time with patients compared to any other healthcare professional. In her book, Dr. Nurse, author Dominique A. Tobbell delves into the history of American nurses, exploring the significant changes that took place in the country’s healthcare system during the second half of the 20th century.

Federal and State Policies Shaping Healthcare Education

The post-WWII era saw a surge in federal and state health and higher education policies that transformed healthcare education. Starting in the 1950s, academic nurses sought to establish nursing as a distinct academic discipline, separate from biomedical and behavioral sciences. This led to the development of a unique science of nursing that would form the basis of nursing practice.

Nursing’s Labor Transformed into Knowledge Production

The efforts of academic nurses not only transformed nursing labor into a valuable site of knowledge production but also demonstrated the crucial role of nurse-applied knowledge in improving patient outcomes. This paradigm shift was instrumental in elevating the status of nurses as valued researchers and healthcare professionals.

State-Supported Health Centers: Pioneers of Nursing Education and Healthcare Delivery

Dr. Nurse reveals how state-supported health centers played a profound role in shaping nursing education and healthcare delivery. These centers have been instrumental in empowering nurses to take on critical roles in healthcare, leading to better patient outcomes and improved healthcare systems.

Book Details:

Author: Dominique A. Tobbell
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Publication Date: December 28, 2022
Language: English
ISBN: 9780226822884, 9780226822891