Definition of the word registered nurse

The term "registered nurse" (RN) originally emerged in the late 19th century as part of a larger movement to standardize and professionalize nursing education and practice. Previously, nursing was primarily an unregulated, voluntary role performed by women from a variety of backgrounds, often without any formal training. In response to growing public demand for more reliable and skilled nursing care, particularly in hospitals and other institutional settings, some nurses began advocating for the creation of formal educational programs and standardized requirements for entry into the profession. By the early 1900s, many hospitals and medical organizations were adopting these recommendations, and nursing licensure and registration schemes became increasingly common. In the United States, the term "registered nurse" first appeared in the early 1900s as part of a new nursing registration program established by the American Nurses Association (ANA) in 1903. The program required nurses to complete a standardized curriculum, pass certifying examinations, and adhere to a code of conduct in order to be eligible for registration and the use of the RN title. Over time, nursing registration and licensure requirements have evolved and become standardized across most provinces and states in North America, with similar schemes emerging in other parts of the world as nursing has become increasingly viewed as a profession in its own right. Today, the term "registered nurse" is recognized internationally as a title granted to nurses who have met prescribed educational and professional requirements, indicating a level of expertise and commitment to the field.