Why did urbanization increase the need for trained nurses in hospitals?

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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.

As urbanization and industrialization spread, individuals without family support increasingly relied on hospitals for care. During the late 19th century, the quality of nursing in these institutions was highly inconsistent, ranging from excellent to deplorable, as hospitals often relied on recovering patients or untrained staff.1

This unreliability became a critical issue as medical practices and treatments evolved, requiring a higher level of competence. The need for trained nurses arose from the convergence of three factors: the urgent requirements of hospitals for reliable care, the preferences of physicians for skilled assistance, and the desire of women for meaningful professional work.1

Trained nurses ultimately transformed the hospital environment by establishing orderly, systemized routines, administering complex treatments, and maintaining the aseptic protocols necessary for invasive surgeries.1