CHARTING THE COURSE: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE EVOLUTION AND IMPACT OF A NURSING CAREER
Main Article Content
Keywords
Nursing Evolution, Healthcare Challenges, Technological Advancements in Nursing, Professional Fulfillment, Global Healthcare Perspectives, Future Trends in Nursing, Nursing Education, Practice
Abstract
This article presents a critical examination of the nursing profession, tracing its historical evolution, confronting its challenges, and celebrating its rewards. The journey of nursing, from its foundational roots to its current role as a pivotal component of the healthcare system, reveals a profession marked by significant growth, adaptability, and resilience. This review delves into the transformative shifts in nursing education and practice, underscored by technological advancements and changing healthcare paradigms. It highlights the multifaceted challenges nurses face, including physical and emotional strain, ethical dilemmas, and the impact of global healthcare disparities. Despite these hurdles, the article illuminates the profound fulfillment and impact nurses experience through patient care, professional development, and contributions to public health. Drawing on a global perspective, it considers the cultural and international dimensions of nursing, exploring how the profession addresses universal healthcare challenges. Looking forward, the review identifies emerging trends and innovations shaping the future of nursing, emphasizing the need for continuous adaptation and the nurturing of the next generation of nursing professionals. Through a blend of historical analysis, personal reflections, and forward-looking insights, this article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the nursing career, highlighting its critical role in advancing healthcare and its enduring value to society.
References
2. Begley, A. M. (2010). On being a good nurse: Reflections on the past and preparing for the future. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 16(6), 525-532.
3. Buchan, J., & Aiken, L. (2008). Solving nursing shortages: a common priority. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(24), 3262-3268.
4. Curtis, K. (2014). Learning the requirements for compassionate practice: Student vulnerability and courage. Nursing Ethics, 21(2), 210-223.
5. Cowin, L. S., Johnson, M., Craven, R. G., & Marsh, H. W. (2008). Causal modeling of self-concept, job satisfaction, and retention of nurses. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 45(10), 1449-1459.
6. Dock, L. L., & Stewart, I. M. (1938). A Short History of Nursing from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
7. Dossey, B. M. (2010). Florence Nightingale: Mystic, Visionary, Healer. F.A. Davis Company.
8. Huston, C. (2013). The impact of emerging technology on nursing care: Warp speed ahead. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(2).
9. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine. (2011). The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. National Academies Press (US).
10. Jameton, A. (2013). A reflection on moral distress in nursing together with a current application of the concept. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 10(3), 297-308.
11. Kalisch, B.J., & Lee, H. (2011). The impact of teamwork on missed nursing care. Nursing Outlook, 59(5), 233-241.
12. Keeling, A. W., & Bigbee, J. L. (2005). The history of nursing and the development of the nursing profession. Nursing Clinics of North America, 40(1), 1-14.
13. Kovner, C. T., Brewer, C. S., Fatehi, F., & Jun, J. (2014). What does nurse turnover rate mean and what is the rate? Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 15(3-4), 64-71.
14. Kingma, M. (2006). Nurses on the Move: Migration and the Global Health Care Economy. Cornell University Press.
15. Leininger, M., & McFarland, M. R. (2002). Transcultural Nursing: Concepts, Theories, Research, and Practice. McGraw-Hill.
16. Mason, D.J., Gardner, D.B., Outlaw, F.H., & O'Grady, E.T. (2016). Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care. Elsevier Health Sciences.
17. Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103-111.
18. Maier, C. B., & Aiken, L. H. (2016). Task shifting from physicians to nurses in primary care in 39 countries: a cross-country comparative study. European Journal of Public Health, 26(6), 927-934.
19. Topol, E. (2019). Deep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human Again. Basic Books.
20. World Health Organization. (2020). Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021–2025. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240033863
21. World Health Organization. (2020). State of the World’s Nursing 2020: Investing in Education, Jobs and Leadership. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240003279