Which era is significant for the transition of nursing education to universities as a result of the Protestant Reformation?

The Age of Enlightenment is significant for the transition of nursing education into universities due to the broader cultural and intellectual movements that characterized this era. During the Age of Enlightenment, there was a strong emphasis on reason, science, and a shift toward formal education. This era led to increased advocacy for professional education across various fields, including nursing, which began moving away from religious and apprentice-based training to more structured and academic models.

The Protestant Reformation played a crucial role in this transformation by challenging established religious structures and promoting education as a means of personal and societal improvement. It emphasized personal responsibility and the importance of education, which influenced the development of nursing as a respected profession that could be taught in academic settings, rather than solely through hands-on experience or under the tutelage of religious orders.

The other eras mentioned do not represent the same cultural shifts that facilitated the move toward university-based nursing education. The Industrial Revolution, while significant for many societal changes, is more associated with advancements in technology and labor than with educational reform in nursing. The Early History of Nursing is focused on the practice of nursing prior to these educational advancements, and the 21st Century pertains to contemporary issues rather than the foundational shifts that occurred in earlier periods.