HISTORICAL EVOLUTION

OF
NURSING RESEARCH

Submitted by, Submitted to,

Mrs. Gayathri R Mrs. Remya R.S
First Year MSc Nursing Associate Professor
Upasana Nursing College Upasana Nursing College
Kollam Kollam

Submitted on: 12.11.2018

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 INTRODUCTION

Nursing is considered one of the oldest arts, yet finds place among the youngest professions.

It’s an evolving profession, which needs a continuously growing and expanding body of

knowledge which can be developed only through research. Research in one of the few ways by

which knowledge can be generated, and a discipline can maintain to professional status and

growth. Moreover research provide as the foundation on which nurses can develop and refine

their professional knowledge and practice. Without new knowledge nursing cannot improve

techniques for newer and latest therapies such as infant care, pain management, grief

counselling, client education, or any more such interventions. Research in a systematic inquiry

uses disciplined methods to answer question or solve problems. The ultimate goal of research

is to developed refine and expand a body of knowledge. Research strives to gather knowledge

and make discoveries that aid our daily lives. Nurses are increasingly engaged in disciplined

studies that benefit the profession and patients. Nursing research is a systematic inquiry

designed to develop knowledge about the issues of importance to nurses, including nursing

practice, education and administration.

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HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF NURSING RESEARCH

Research on nursing practice began slowly, but since 1950 has been accelerating rapidly.

Currently a lot of attention is begin paid to research on nursing, which it seems will continue

in the years to come, and will have its implications and impact on nurse administrations,

nursing educations, as well as practitioners. Understanding of how historical issues influenced

modern health care provides a bases for current and future developments. If analyzed properly,

historical knowledge can provide insight into the past leading to resolution of present and future

issues in nursing. The history of nursing comprises many changes and developments.

Reviewing the history of research in nursing enables one to better understand the current status

and project the future of nursing research.

The modern trend of nursing research started in the western world. The historical evaluation of

research in nursing can be traced back of Florence Nightingale, who made detailed records of

observations about the effects of nursing actions. During 1970’s and 1980’s numerous studies

were conducted that focused on clinical practice. Thereafter, the conduct of clinical research

continued to be a major focus of the 1990’s with the intent of developing research and evidence

based particles.

CONTRIBUTION OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE [1820-1910]

Florence Nightingale was one of the founders of professional nursing, and is considering as the

first nursing teacher. She understood the importance of scientific methods in nursing health

care. During the Crimean War, she kept a meticulous records and statistics of mortality rates

among the sick and the wounded. Nightingale initiated nursing research nearly 150 years ago.

Her notes on nursing (1859) describe her initial research activities, which forces on the

importance of healthy environment in promoting patients physical and mental well-being. She

mostly carried out her data collection and statistical analysis during the Crimean War. She

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gathered date on soldier morbidity and mortality. Her research enabled her to instigate

attitudinal, organizational, and social change.

MAJOR MILESTONES OF NURSING RESEARCH IN WESTERN

COUNTRIES
1950:
There was an increase in federal funding for research in nursing. American nurses foundation
was devoted exclusively to the promotion of research in nursing.
1952:
For the first time, there was publications of nursing research were published.
1953:
The institute of Research and service in nursing education was launched at Columbia
University.
1954:
PhD program was introduced in nursing education.
1955:
American Nurses Association [ANA] established, American Nurses Foundation is an
independent organization for the purpose of development of nursing research by conducting &
supporting research projects.
1957:
A department of nursing research was established at Walter Red Army Institute.
1960:
The 1960’s brought re-ordering of nursing research. The focus was to target practice-oriented
research to improve the quality of patient care.
1965:
The ANA took an official position in educational preparation of licensed nurses in which the
need for research in nursing and for educating nurse researchers was organized.
1970:
A content analysis of articles published in nursing research from 1970 to 1975 showed a shift
from research being conducted by a large group of members other disciplines, especially social
sciences which served as the basis for much of what nurses do in practice today.
1976:
The ANA commission on Nursing Research published guidelines for the academic preparations

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In research and its utilizations.
1986:
National Centre for Nursing Research [NCNR] was established at National Institute of Health
[NIH] under the Health Research Extension Act, 1985.
1990:
The 1990’s brought the promise of reducing the gap between practice and research. The
publication Healthy people 2000 in 1992 by the US department of health and human services
laid the national health agenda for the future.
1993:
National Centre for Nursing Research was renamed, National Institute for Nursing Research
[NINR]. The Cochrane collaboration was established. In addition, journal of nursing
measurements started being processed / published.
1994:
The journal Qualitative Research started being published.
1995:
The Joanna Biggs Institute, an international evidence based practice collaboration, established
in Australia.
1997:
Canadian Health Services Research Foundation was established with federal funding.
1999:
US agency for health care policy and research was renamed as Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality [AHRQ].
2000:
NINR issued funding priority for 2000-2004; annual funding exceeds 100 million US dollars.
The Canadian Institute of Health was launched, the journal Biological Nursing started being
published.
2004:
The journal World Views on Evidence Based nursing started being published.
2005:
Sigma Theta Tau International issued a position paper on nursing research priorities that
incorporated priorities from nursing organization internationally.

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MAJOR MILESTONE OF NURSING RESEARCH IN INDIA
1946:
Bhore committee (1943) submitted a report in which recommendations were made for the
improvement of various aspects of nursing profession, nursing education, working conditions,
nursing services in both hospitals and community, sending nurses for higher education to
abroad etc.
1953:
Mr. Edith Buchanan, vice principal, Raj kumara Amrit Kaur (RAK) college of nursing; New
Delhi, was the first nurse from India who was sent to Columbia University to earn her
Doctorates in Education (D.Ed.) under World Health Organization (WHO) fellowship
programme.
1955:
Mr. Margaeretta Criag, Principal, College of Nursing, New Delhi, attended International
Council of Nurses (ICN) meet in France to present a paper on the need for nursing research in
India.
1960:
 First two years master degree programme in nursing was started by RAK College of
Nursing, New Delhi, which included nursing research as a full subject with a thesis
work on nursing topics.
 Nursing research commenced on all India basis along with a master’s programme in
nursing is an intensive manner, although nurse leaders have been already participating
in research at various levels.
 Clinical studies were even being carried out on short term basis by the beginning level
postgraduate nursing students.
1963:
A study of health services was carried out in connection with the revision of the syllabus of
General Nursing and Midwifery by the Indian Nursing Council in 1963. The study provided
valuable insights into the trends in the health services and implications for nursing.
1964:
Dr. Marie Ferguson, a public health nurse who joined RAK college of Nursing, New Delhi,
was able to create a greater appreciation and understanding and value of research in nursing
for nursing practices, administrations, and education. With senior nursing leaders of the

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country, she conducted a research study titled Activity Study of Define Nursing and Non-
nursing functions of Nurses in Selected Health Institute of India.
1966:
Trained Nurses Association of India established a research section under the guidance of
Chairwoman Ms. Margareta Criag. TNAI conducted Nurses’ Time-Utilization study with
assistance from Ms. Anna Gupta, principal, RAK college of Nursing, under supervision of
Dr. Sulochana Krishnan.
1971:
TNAI conducted a study on the socioeconomic status of nurses in India.
1976:
Dr. Marie Farrell and Dr. Aparna Bhaduri of RAK College of Nursing, New Delhi conducted
seminars on nursing research for educationists at Delhi, Mussoorie (Uttarakhand) and Yercaud
(Tamil Nadu) to strengthen the nursing research in India.
1981:
Dr. Farrell and Dr. Bhaduri’s book Health Research: A Community-Based Approach was
published by the World Health Organization (WHO).
1982:
During October, a national conference titled Nursing Research in India: Prospect and
Retrospect was organized, which was the first conference in India related to nursing research,
and was held at College of Nursing, Bangalore. Some of the recommendations of the
participant of the conference were as follows:
 Each college of Nursing should have research cell.
 The faculty at nursing colleges should encourage students provide them time for
conducting research.
 College of nursing should foster research attitude among nursing students.
 Central and state governments and private organizations should include nursing
research in their budget.
 Opportunities should be provided for faculty to visit foreign countries on short term
basis to learn about nursing research and
 Efforts should be taken to establish collaborative in the activities in the area of research
and scholastic interactions with the nursing colleges in other countries.
1984:
A nursing research workshop was conducted titled Teaching Nursing Research to Nursing
College Teachers at Bangalore, which was sponsored by the University Grants Commission.

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This workshop was open to all the teachers of all the nursing colleges in India. A workshop
was conducted on ‘nursing processes by Dr. Marie Farrell at Leelebhai Thackersey College of
nursing. SNDT Women University, Bombay, which was sponsored by the WHO.
1986:
The Nursing Research Society of India (NRSI) was established to promote research within and
related to nursing. Dr. (Mrs.) Inderjit Walia was founder president, and Mrs. Uma Handa was
its first secretary. This association continues to organize research conferences every year.
 For the first time, MPhil programme in nursing started at RAK College of Nursing,
University of Delhi, New Delhi.
 Introduction of nursing research process was introduced in BSc Nursing curriculum by
Indian Nursing Council (INC).
 All colleges of nursing in India have a uniform nursing research course to be taught at
undergraduate and postgraduate levels developed by Indian Nursing Council (INC).
 PhD in Nursing was for the first time started in College of Nursing, PGIMER, Punjab
University, Chandigarh; however, it was later discontinued because of unavoidable
circumstances.
 Later in South India, some private institutions such as Manipal College of Nursing,
Manipal and Shri Ramachandran college of nursing, Chennai.
1998:
Nursing research interest section was organized.
2002:
Recently revised INC syllabus for GNM post basic BSc Nursing has included nursing research
as a full subject.
2004:
Publication of Nightingale nursing time was started by Jain & Co, Noida, UP
2005:
Publication of an exclusive research based journal titled Nursing Mid Wifery Research journal
was started at National Institute of Nursing Education, PGIMER, Chandigarh, under the editor
ship of Dr. Indrajit an eminent nursing researcher and educationist of North India
2005:
National consortium PhD Nursing has been constituted by INC under leadership of certain
honorable person.

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2009:
Central Institute of Nursing and Research was brought in existence under control of TNAI in
New Delhi.
2009:
IGNOU started PhD Nursing
2010:
Faculty of Nursing Sciences Baba Farid University of health science in Punjab started PhD
Nursing.

CONCLUSION

Nursing research continuous to develop at a rapid pace and will undoubtedly flourish in the
twenty first century. Broadly speaking the priority for Nursing Research in the future will be
the promotion of excellence in nursing practice. Research must be an integral part of nursing it
provides the power to nurses to be professional and develop, define and refine nursing
knowledge for providing effective patient care, nursing education and administration. Therefor
in nutshell research help to build and expand the body of nursing knowledge validate and refine
the existing nursing practice make health care efficient and cost effective.

BIBLOGRAPHY
 Polit & Beck; Nursing Research , 8th edition, Wolter’s Kluwer Publications
[Page no: 5-8]
 Suresh K Sharma, nursing research and Statistics, 4th edition, Elsevier Publications
[Page no: 10-14]

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