Historical Perspective Essay

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Historical Perspective Essay Shanda M. Ramsey NUR/518 June 9, 2014 Cindy Boyer Historical Perspective Essay Nursing research is widely used to produce evidence-based practices for nurses to use in practice with caring for patients. It is a “systematic inquiry designed to develop trustworthy evidence about issues of importance to nursing” (Polit & Beck, 2012). Nursing theorists such as Florence Nightingale introduced research to the nursing field in the 1850’s with her publication Notes on Nursing. Over the years, contributions to nursing research continued to come forward helping to grow and develop nursing research to what it is today. Theorists are not the only contributors to the development of nursing research. Nursing journals were first developed in 1900 with the American Journal of Nursing being the first to publicize articles specific to nursing. In 1986, the National Center for Nursing Research (NCNR) was founded in the U.S. National Institutes of Health. NCNR The NCNR begins on the premise of research programs directed toward patient care, promotion of health, and prevention of disease. The NCNR dedicated areas within its institute to focus just on how to conduct research. Knowing how to conduct research is important as studies were undergone to not only improve nurses’ ability to slow a patient’s illness, but to also assist the nurse in promoting a healthy lifestyle for the patient. The NCNR believes research is necessary because nurses “are more likely to have continuing contact with the most vulnerable populations” (Merritt, 1987). Research is needed to assist nurses in identifying those patients at risk so interventions can be put into place to empower the patient to realize a healthy lifestyle is achievable. Conclusion Nursing research has always been and continues to be directed toward patient care. Practices in nursing are

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