This is a study of the liberal education theme in nursing education as articulated in nursing literature from 1893 to 1952. The major questions addressed are: what do nurse educators believe is the nature of liberal education; what did they believe would be the effect of a liberal education on the profession of nursing; and to what extent did the articulation of the beliefs regarding liberal education parallel the development of collegiate level nursing programs.

The resources for this study are viewed in a historical and philosophical context; relating education beliefs, beliefs about professions, and the development of nursing education. The materials included literature published in the major nursing journals of the time, proceedings of the national professional organization for nursing practice and education, and the major studies of nursing by various committees and commissions. The writings of nurse educators were examined for central themes.

The study concludes that nurse educators believed the purposes of a liberal education for nurses were: to foster the development of the individual; to prepare the individual for citizenship; to provide the individual with a broad knowledge base; and to develop the individual's critical thinking and judgement skills. Practitioners of nursing with these attributes would increase the credibility of nursing's claim to professional status. The development of collegiate level educational programs that incorporated a general education as part of the program of study for nursing lagged behind the articulation of beliefs.