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The field of psychiatric-mental health nursing - ✔✔began in the late 19th century when there
was a societal shift in the perception of the purpose of mental asylums from custodial care to
medical and social treatment for mental illness.
In the 1950s, Rutgers University - ✔✔awarded the first graduate degree in psychiatric-mental
health nursing. The psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist was the first master's
prepared advanced practice nursing role.
The role of the psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) - ✔✔was introduced
in the 1990s and has evolved over time to incorporate a person-centered, biopsychosocial
model of care.
Late 19th Century - ✔✔In the late 19th century, reform movements led to changes in beliefs
about the role of mental asylums in the treatment of mental illness. Focus shifted from
restrictive custodial care to treatment. Dr. Edward Cowles created the first organized training
school within a hospital for the insane in 1882.
Early 20th Century - ✔✔Early psychiatric nurses were trained by physicians; however, in 1913,
Effie Jane Taylor developed the first nurse-organized training course for psychiatric nursing at
Johns Hopkins Hospital.
WWI - ✔✔The World Wars expanded awareness of mental health disorders and the need for
specialized nursing care. Following WWI, the National League for Nursing Education added
"nursing in nervous and mental diseases" to curriculum guides.
WWII, - ✔✔many potential military recruits deemed unfit for service due to psychiatric
concerns, while many veterans experienced combat-related neuropsychiatric conditions. Laura
Fitzsimmons recommended standards of training for psychiatric nurses, which led to improved
education and standards of care.