Journal Celebrates 50th Anniversary

First published in 1963, the International Journal of Nursing Studies (IJNS) celebrates its 50th Anniversary next month. The Editorial Office of the journal is based in the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery at King's College London.

Much has changed in the international health landscape over the past 50 years. When the IJNS was first published, smallpox in humans and rinderpest in cattle presented a major threat to human health and the food supply. While they are now both eradicated, a host of new transmissible diseases have been described including HIV and SARS. Furthermore, well known diseases like TB, that seemed to have been consigned to history in the developed world have re-emerged as global public health problems.

Professor Ian Norman, Deputy Head of School, has been the journal’s Editor-in-Chief since 2005. Speaking of the landmark anniversary, Professor Norman said:

“Looking back over the past 50 years I feel privileged to have the opportunity to build on the fine traditions of the journal built by our predecessors and I am honoured to work today with such an excellent international Editorial Board and team of Associate Editors. The IJNS publishes excellent health services research which concerns the largest element of the healthcare workforce.”

The IJNS is now the highest impact generalist nursing journal in the world.

Professor Norman continued:

“Over the next decade we expect to see the IJNS emerge as the journal of choice for researchers working at the interface between research which informs the practice of nursing and the wider health care research practice and policy communities.”

With the permission of the publisher we are pleased to present the IJNS 50th Anniversary Editorial by Professor Norman and Professor Peter Griffiths (Executive Editor) ahead of print.