This is a social-historical documental study, aiming to better understand the history of education and professionalization in modern French nursing as well as new perspectives for the profession in France with reference to the profession's structuring, formation, and organization. We used pertinent periodicals, books, decrees, laws, and materials produced by the French Nursing Associations about its history. Documentary analyses then produced three categories: Modern French nursing: the republican influence; the Nightingale model in France; and nursing education in actuality: new perspectives. The conclusion was that French nursing has suffered great changes and is going through an important historical moment with the discussion of new competencies for the profession, a new university curriculum for nursing, as well as the implantation of the National Nursing Order - creating political, social, and scientific repercussions that will give new paths to the profession.
History of nursing; Nursing education; Education