[Autonomy among nursing staff: moments and actions]

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Sociology of Professions

Context:

• Nursing autonomy is crucial for professional advancement and quality patient care.
• Societal perceptions and historical factors influence the development of nursing autonomy.
• Understanding these dynamics is essential for future progress in the nursing profession.

Purpose:

• To analyze the evolution of nursing autonomy through historical and contemporary actions.
• To identify societal stereotypes that act as barriers to nursing autonomy.
• To propose future actions for the 21st century to enhance nursing autonomy and responsibility.

Summary:

• The paper examines nursing autonomy from three perspectives: nurses' roles, professional evolution, and societal stereotypes.
• It presents evidence of nursing autonomy at local, national, and international levels.
• Past achievements are analyzed alongside persistent barriers, with a call for 21st-century actions to solidify nurses' autonomous practice and responsibility.

Impact:

• Provides insights into the multifaceted nature of nursing autonomy.
• Identifies key barriers and facilitators for professional nursing development.
• Offers a forward-looking perspective on empowering nurses for greater autonomy and accountability in healthcare.