I have always believed that individuals who practice medicine are ethically bound and are always looking to enhance the lives of their patients no matter the cost. Although I still believe this to be mostly true, I was shocked after watching “Miss Evers’ Boys”, a movie that depicted the inhumane study conducted from 1932 to 1972 by doctors in Alabama. For forty years doctors were consciously withholding medication from male patients with syphilis to collect information on the disease process specifically because they were black. I don’t believe that the study lasted for as long as it had because those involved thought it was okay, but rather because individuals who witnessed the study were too afraid to speak out against their superiors. This was a time where it was hard to have your voice heard if you were speaking out against the majority, and it was especially difficult to be a woman because they practically had no voice at all. Miss Evers was a nurse that witnessed the experiment at the hospital and had to decide what to do with the dilemma she was facing. She struggled with the knowledge that her patients were not only not being treated for their illness, but they were being lied to by the physicians who were meant to be providing them with care.

I believe that it is important for nurses to understand the historical evolution of research practices to prevent horrendous mistakes like the Tuskegee study from ever happening again. After watching the film mentioned above and completing the CITI training for this course, I feel as though I have a deeper understanding of the nurse’s role and how it extends from beyond the bedside into the world of research. Evidence Based Practice has allowed me to venture into the world of research and hopefully I will be able to continue doing this type of research in my future career as a nurse because I found that I really enjoy learning more about issues that could improve the lives of the patients we take care of. The research paper I was able to collaborate with my classmate on was an enjoyable experience and I look forward to incorporating research into my career in the future.