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Why did nursing doctoral programs begin to focus on nursing research?

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A young doctor or nurse uses a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope to measure the blood pressure of an elderly man seated at a clinic office desk. — Nursing A nurse uses a sphygmomanometer to check a patient's blood pressure.

By the 1970s, nursing doctoral programs began to emphasize nursing knowledge, science, and research methods to address pressing issues related to nursing care and the delivery of health services.12

This shift toward research-focused doctoral education allowed the profession to move beyond seeking degrees in fields other than nursing, enabling nurses to develop a specialized body of scientific evidence to improve patient outcomes. By grounding practice in rigorous research, the profession aimed to enhance its clinical leadership and ensure that the latest scientific findings were effectively translated into patient care.23