Question

A nurse practicing in the early 1900s was awarded a permissive license. These licenses:

1) were voluntary; however, a nurse who failed the examination could not use the title RN.
2) required a maximum of 1 year of formalized nurse training.
3) allowed nurses who did not pass the licensure examination to still practice.
4) allowed nurses the choice of taking a written or oral licensure examination.

Answer 1

Option (1), Early 1900s permissive nursing licenses were voluntary and a failure in the licensing exam prevented the use of the RN title. The history of nursing reflects societal changes that included women's expanded roles in education and medicine.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse practicing in the early 1900s who was awarded a permissive license was granted certain liberties in their profession. These permissive licenses were indeed voluntary, meaning that a nurse could choose whether to take the licensing examination.

However, those who failed the examination were not permitted to use the title RN. The history of nursing during this time also reflects the broader societal changes and roles of women, with many pursuing roles in education and medicine, as well as contributing significantly to the war effort, which led to the expansion of rights such as suffrage. In the context of licensure, the training required for nurses varied, but there was a push towards formalized education in the field.

While the historical context shows an increasing number of women entering the fields of teaching and medicine, the struggle for equal recognition and opportunity, especially amongst minority groups such as Black physicians and nurses, continued into the early 20th century. They faced significant obstacles but also formed organizations, such as the National Medical Association and the National Association of Colored Nurses, to counteract exclusion from mainstream professional organizations and hospitals.