The first of its kind, this text examines nursing ideas and theories from a historical, theoretical, and professional lens. As a foundation for socialization into the professional nursing role, the book demonstrates the contextual development of nursing as a profession, highlighting the connections between the social history of nursing and health care; the evolution of nursing theory, practice and research; and the resulting challenges of our past, present, and future.

Section One examines the critical threads in nursing ideas—gender, culture, race, community, environment, and technology. Section Two traces the history of theory development, from the philosophical underpinnings of ways of knowing in nursing, nursing science, to application of theory in nursing practice. Section Three analyzes professional practice, education, and research.