<p>Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, nursing history was commonly incorporated into nursing school curricula to facilitate students’ professional development. By the 21st century, the inclusion of nursing history in the curriculum began to decline or, in many cases, completely disappear. Yet, evidence suggests that by creatively threading nursing history into course assignments, faculty can increase student engagement and enthusiasm. Professional identity formation is an essential component in fostering a sense of belonging, meaning, and purpose among today’s nursing students. First-year students who feel connected to their field of study and future profession tend to have increased levels of satisfaction, learning, and retention. This presentation will share one nursing librarian’s experience in a first-year orientation course wherein students are required to complete a historical research assignment on a significant nurse. By exploring the rich legacy of nursing’s past, students learn crucial information literacy skills that are necessary to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. This assignment incorporates various information literacy learning outcomes, while providing the liaison librarian with an in-class opportunity for outreach and instruction. Following this talk, attendees will understand how to: 1) collaborate with faculty to develop and improve library research assignments for historical exploration; 2) create information literacy teaching materials that inspire curiosity; and 3) cultivate and assess student learning and critical thinking.</p>
