A Systematic Review of Nursing Titles: Historical Evolution and Contemporary Challenges

Abstract

One of the historical legacies that shape nursing are the title names, roles, and responsibilities as the profession evolved over time. The Historical Evolution of Nurse Titles–A Systematic Approach to Understand Their Development in the Context of Society–Education–Healthcare (SEH) It looks at the titles used in the different time periods & locations; explores the reasons for the standardisation of titles; & examines emerging health professional recognition. Finally, this review discusses current discrepancies with respect to nursing titles (e.g. role confusion, regulatory mismatches, public perceptions). This paper synthesized findings from academic literature, policy documents and professional guidelines reporting on the potential implications of changing nursing titles for professional identity, career trajectories and interprofessional collaboration. This information highlights the value of a uniform title system globally for nurses that would help benefit clarity, workforce transferability, and respect. The review fills an important gap in the literature that will serve healthcare policymakers, educationists and nurses as they grapple with nursing terminology within the changing health care context.