A role model of leadership in and advocacy for nursing

Surely most nurses have heard her name. While in undergraduate nursing programs students dutifully study nursing leaders, trying to differentiate their theories and memorize their accomplishments. At the least, they recognize the names. But does the new generation of nurses understand the impact that one nursing leader can have on the profession? Unless one has been privileged to attend NYU, for example, I wonder if today's young nurse realizes what Martha Rogers has accomplished in her career. Does today's nurse know what her advocacy for nursing has meant to our profession? This paper addresses those issues and attempts to explain the leadership and advocacy roles that Martha Rogers has assumed in the practice of professional nursing.