ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the evolution of the health care system and the development of the nursing profession along the three phases of capitalism–competitive, monopoly, and global capitalism–described by Ross and Trachte. It presents a brief geographical, economic, political, and cultural introduction to Canada. The chapter also presents a history of the evolution of professional nursing within the health care system and an examination of workforce issues related to globalization. It focuses on the development of higher education in nursing, the current context and trends in nursing education, and the impact of education on professional and social development. The services of most health professionals in private practice, exclusive of those provided by physicians, are funded through private insurance programs. Medical dominance was evident in the contentious evolution of medical insurance programs. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the challenges facing nursing in the 21st century and future directions for nursing and nursing education.
