An analysis of the writings of Janet Geister and Mary Roberts regarding the problems of private duty nursing.
Fifty years ago there were two widely circulated nursing journals, each with a unique purpose and style. The Trained Nurse and Hospital Review was the privately owned older journal, and the American Journal of Nursing was the voice of the professional organization. Each journal was edited by a strong nursing leader, Janet Geister and Mary Roberts, respectively. Each editor had many years of service to the nursing profession in varied capacities. Naturally, each had distinctly different interests, visions, and styles of communication. These editors witnessed and commented on the change in the sphere of nursing practice from a private duty and public health orientation to one that eventually became dominated by the hospital. Although their approaches differed, both recognized the need for organization, versatility, and creative problem solving. However, the legacy of these leaders must be considered in view of the gap that continues to exist between practicing nurses and the American Nurses' Association leadership.
Baas
L S
LS
Department of Nursing, Miami University, Oxford, OH.
D006676:History of Nursing; D049673:History, 20th Century; D009744:Nursing, Private Duty / Q000266:history*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000266:history*; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000266:history; D011643:Publishing / Q000266:history; D014481:United States; D014956:Writing