ABSTRACT
Nursing culture has worked for over a century to maintain its focus and philosophy on a holistic, patient-centered, biopsychosocial approach to health care access and delivery. In the 21st century nursing has evolved from its early role as a bedside caregiver, order follower, subordinate profession to a more equal position as a collaborative, team-focused health care provider. In addition, nursing culture has steadily increased options for its members from traditional Registered Nurse (RN) roles to diverse, primarily independent clinical career opportunities as Certified Nursing Midwives, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and Doctors of Nursing Practice. Nursing culture has also encouraged and empowered its members to earn graduate nursing degrees, seek leadership positions in health care organizations, and thereby help to influence the role of nursing in institutional and governmental decision-making. In spite of these efforts, RN employment retention rates are lower than expected and stress and burnout rates are higher than other professions.
