Lillian Wald was a significant person in the history of American nursing. Which contribution is most closely associated with her work?

Lillian Wald was a significant person in the history of American nursing. Which contribution is most closely associated with her work?

• A. Development of public health nursing practices
• B. First nursing service for occupational health
• C. Established committee that was the forerunner of the NLN
• D. Instituted a sliding scale fee for service

Answer: (A)

Public health nursing practices. Lillian Wald helped launch nursing as a force for community health by creating the Henry Street Settlement in New York City and organizing visiting nurse services to care for underserved populations, especially immigrants and the poor. Her approach combined home visits, preventive care, health education, and connections to social services, showing how nursing could address living conditions and social factors that drive illness. This built the foundation for public health nursing as a distinct field and set a model for organized, community-based nursing care. The other options don’t fit as closely: occupational health nursing as a first service, a committee leading to the NLN, or sliding-scale fees aren’t the defining elements of Wald’s legacy.

Public health nursing practices. Lillian Wald helped launch nursing as a force for community health by creating the Henry Street Settlement in New York City and organizing visiting nurse services to care for underserved populations, especially immigrants and the poor. Her approach combined home visits, preventive care, health education, and connections to social services, showing how nursing could address living conditions and social factors that drive illness. This built the foundation for public health nursing as a distinct field and set a model for organized, community-based nursing care. The other options don’t fit as closely: occupational health nursing as a first service, a committee leading to the NLN, or sliding-scale fees aren’t the defining elements of Wald’s legacy.