1. Florence Nightingale is often credited with being the first nurse
researcher. What were her contributions to the science of
nursing?
2. Consider the significance of the events that occurred during the
Chicago World’s Fair, 1893, to the advancement of the nursing
profession. What would nurse leaders address today if they
were to hold a leadership summit across all domains of the
profession?
3. Think about the role the military had in opening the profession
of nursing for African Americans and other minorities,
including men. Why did nursing require military conflicts to
expand entry into the profession to minorities?
4. How has being a profession in which most practitioners are
women influenced the development of nursing?
5. What do you think accounts for the documented pay inequity
between women and men in nursing? What challenges do you
think nursing leaders and employers should take to correct pay
inequity?
6. Describe your idea of the “perfect” nurse. What stereotypes does
your description reveal? Does your image of the perfect nurse
include a particular gender, race, ethnic group, or generation?
7. Think about social factors that have the potential to stimulate or
stifle interest in nursing as a profession. What effects—positive
and negative—could these factors have on nursing? What
recommendations do you have for the profession to address
these factors?
