| This historical study examined the influence the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses (AARN) had on health care services and health policy in Alberta from 1916 to 1950. The development of the AARN as a profession was traced considering four criteria as essential: autonomy, skill and knowledge, service ideal, and formal code of ethics. The status of women was examined as it seemed inextricably linked to the status of nurses and therefore the development of the nursing profession. A holistic meaning of health was used to examine Alberta legislation that related to health policy and the subsequent health care services. To interpret the activities of the AARN in a total historical context some external events were identified and discussed. Three of the catalysts of health reform that were identified were epidemics of communicable diseases, social upheaval of the world wars, and economic depressions. From 1916 to 1950 the AARN appeared to have influenced health care services, particularly as they related to the work of nurses, but had no direct observable influence on health policy in Alberta. |
