Final answer:
The advancement of nursing in the first century can be attributed to the significant role nurses played during wartime, the rise of medical knowledge and techniques, and the evolution of public health practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factor that best advanced the practice of nursing in the first century was the development of medical knowledge and techniques during war times, leading to increased opportunities and roles for women in the nursing and medical fields.
Nurses served overseas in large numbers during this time, which advanced both their skills and the importance of the nursing profession. Additionally, the rise in life expectancy due to improved sanitation, behavioral changes aimed at advancing health.
And medical innovations such as immunizations for diseases like diphtheria also played a significant role in advancing nursing practices as they expanded the scope and complexity of healthcare, thereby requiring more skilled nursing care.